The Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM) is a command under the operational command of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe with the responsibility of providing strategic advice, enabling the development, and synchronise activities to deter threats and defend the alliance with specific emphasis on special operations.[1]
| Allied Special Operations Forces Command | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2006—Present |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Special Operations |
| Garrison/HQ | Mons, Belgium |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lieutenant General Richard E. Angle |
Background
editEver since the September 11 attacks and the initial US invasion of Afghanistan, the need for Special Operations Forces has increased and NATO realised this after the performance of NATO forces on the ground.[2]
During the 2006 Riga summit, it was agreed that NATO would form an alliance special operations capability.[3]
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, SOF has played not only a key role on the opposing sides, but has also pushed NATO SOFCOM further into the spotlight due to both the training of Special Operations Forces with the addition for the likely need of them on NATO soil from either a conventional or unconventional attack.[4][5]
Gallery
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Special Forces Soldiers from four NATO countries, observe targets on a firing range at the Grafenwoehr Training Area during a judging distance exercise July 24. These exercises, a common aspect of sniper training conducted by the International Special Training Centre, are conducted nearly daily and provide Soldiers a better understanding of determining distance to the target with the naked eye and rifle scope. -
A Special Operations Forces Soldier participates in a training exercise with the 50th Security Forces Squadron and a tier 1 NATO mission partner at Schriever Space Base, Colorado, Oct. 19, 2023. -
U.S. Green Berets from 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), conduct Close Quarter Battle (CQB) training at Grafenwöhr, Germany, Sept. 16, 2022. -
NATO Special Operations Forces Technical Exploitation Operations training.015. -
Portuguese Naval Special Forces, Portugal, NATO Trident Juncture 15. -
US Army Special Forces MSgt gives instruction to two sniper students.
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See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM)".
- ^ C. Taylor, Steven. THE NATO SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVE: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES.
From the Balkans to Afghanistan, NATO's special operations shortfall has been illuminated. At the Riga Summit in November 2006, NATO leaders decided to develop an Alliance special operations capability.
- ^ "NATO Summit 2006". 2001-2009.state.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ Service, Flanders News (2024-10-18). "Belgian and Dutch special forces to conduct NATO operations together". belganewsagency.eu. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ E. Murauskaite, Egle (2023). U.S. Military Training Assistance to Ukraine. University of Maryland: Asymmetric Threats Analysis Centre.
The U.S.—and NATO—special forces have been training their Ukrainian counterparts for approximately eight years, starting in 2015