Special Operations Outlook 2020 Edition

AFSOC

AFSOC New Strategic Guidance Directs AFSOCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Future BY SCOTT R. GOURLEY

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators move to clear an objective during exercise Southern Strike 2020, in Fort Morgan, Alabama, Feb. 6, 2020. Southern Strike is a large-scale, joint and international combat exercise, which features counter insurgency, close air support, en-route casualty care, noncombatant evacuation, and maritime special operations.

Special Operations Outlook

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY MASTER SGT. JASON ROBERTSON

As with other service components within U.S. Special Operations Command, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is embracing a new generation of strategic guidance that will help to transition the commandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique capabilities to address the new and evolving challenges of the next five to 15 years and beyond.

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Special Operations Outlook 2020 Edition

Published on May 15, 2020

Faircount Media Group

The world is changing rapidly in the 21st century, and special operations forces are adapting to a new security environment where great power competition is rapidly ramping up. While violent extremist organizations continue to pose a worldwide threat, near-peer competitors, both in the West and the East, demand a new focus both strategically and tactically. Responses to this new environment are in progress across a wide range of activities and programs. In this edition of Special Operations Outlook, we cover the increased cooperation of international special operations forces in meeting the threat of restive neighbors through increased cooperative training exercises and new entities like the Composite Special Operations Component Command (C-SOCC), as well as initiatives like the Trans-Regional Resistance Working Group. Equipment and technology are also adapting to a new focus, from new small arms technologies covered in our “Target Engagement Spotlight” to USSOCOM’s and NSWC’s exploration of AI, & much more.

Articles inside

Special Operations Outlook 2020 Edition

Articles inside

THE SON TAY RAID 50 YEARS: November 21, 1970

INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES COOPERATION

USSOCOM EMBRACES NEW TECHNOLOGIES

USASOC INTERVIEW USASOC Commander Lt. Gen. Francis M. Beaudette

NON-STANDARD COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

IN THE HEADLIGHTS OF NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND MODERNIZATION

COMMUNICATIONS

MARINE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND (MARSOC)

TARGET ENGAGEMENT SPOTLIGHT

AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND (AFSOC)

TRANS-REGIONAL RESISTANCE WORKING GROUP

U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND (SOCOM)