Special Forces

We admire them, but we’re not entirely sure why. We allow them to operate in the shadows; we rarely ask what they do. The less we know about them, the more their mystique grows.

No one knows what that soldier is doing in the background. Photo (by Ray Strange) also features Major General Peter

Have we permitted our special forces, our SAS and Commandos, to become unaccountable?

Special forces are becoming more imperative as mass troop deployments are seen as the undesirable option of last resort. If a situation can be sorted by sending in a small, skilled assault squad to eliminate the problem, secure the hostage, or stop the problem before it begins, it makes sense.

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  • St. Michael says:

    02:55pm | 11/06/12

    “I assume you forgot about the 10th Mountain Div that accompanied the Pakistanis?” As in, the lightly armed 10th Mountain Div that didn’t have its own APCs and thus had to borrow those of the Pakistanis? “USMC does not function as the Navy’s “land troops”.” So give me a good… Read more »

  • St. Michael says:

    02:49pm | 11/06/12

    “There is a theory or two as to why DevGru was selected as opposed to the other unit, however that is not for this forum.” Like I said, would it have anything to do with these details at Wikipedia: “The CIA briefed Vice Admiral William H. McRaven, the commander of… Read more »

 

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