Special Operations Forces Unit example essay topic

Afghanistan Troops: About 1,000 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division, soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division and various Special Forces units. Location: Kandahar International Airport, Bagram Air Base and Mazar-i Sharif. Special Forces units operate across the country. Equipment: The U.S. also has two carrier battle groups in the Arabian Sea. The carriers are the USS John C. Stennis and USS Theodore Roosevelt.

B-1 and B-52 bombers also are still available at the joint U.S. -British air base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. Pakistan Pakistan has allowed the use of three airfields by the coalition forces operating inside Afghanistan. Dalbandin Air Base in western Pakistan has played a role in coalition operations along with airfields in Jacob abad, about 150 miles from the Afghan border in south-central Pakistan, and Pani, a coastal military base along the Arabian Sea, about 125 miles from the Iranian border. Kyrgyzstan Troops: Nearly 1,000 U.S. Air Force personnel Location: Air base near the capital of Bishkek Equipment: The base eventually will be home to cargo, refueling and transport aircraft and some fighter jets. Uzbekistan Troops: Roughly 1,000 soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division.

Location: Khan abad Air Base Equipment: A variety of aircraft, possibly including attack helicopters Georgia Troops: Between 45 and 200 U.S. Army and Air Force special operations forces are under consideration, according to Pentagon sources Location: Near the capital of Tiblisi Equipment: 10 unarmed UH-1 Huey helicopters were sent last October along with a team consisting of one U.S. service member and seven contractors to help with maintenance. Yemen The United States is prepared to send a small contingent of troops into Yemen to assist that nation's effort to root out al Qaeda and other terrorist cells, a senior U.S. official told CNN. The emphasis of the still-evolving operation would be to train Yemeni forces and share intelligence, the official said. Philippines Troops: 660 U.S. soldiers are aiding the Philippine army, including groups of 12 Special Forces soldiers attached to 10 Philippine army battalions. Location: Island of Basilan Equipment: Assorted aircraft Army Rangers As with all special operations forces, the U.S. Army Rangers report to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) when in hostile or war situations. Along with the Rangers, which consists of one active regiment with three battalions, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command includes Army National Guard, civil affairs, psychological operations and chemical reconnaissance groups.

But the Rangers, themselves, are the spearhead of the Army's special operations forces. Ready to deploy by land, air and sea anywhere in the world at a moment's notice, Rangers specialize in rapid infantry assault, night fighting and airfield seizure. The Rangers are trained to infiltrate and exit by air, land or sea and have the capability to conduct conventional or special light-infantry operations. According to the JSOC, the Rangers have taken part in every major combat operation since the end of the Vietnam War. In many cases, they are supported by the 160th Special Operations Aviation's Regiment -- better known as the 'Night Stalkers' -- which use state-of-the-art aircraft and equipment to assist all special operations forces from the air. The Green Berets are used both as a combat force and to train guerrilla troops in other countries.

Each member must be able to speak at least one language other than English. The Green Berets are used for a variety of missions such as unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, direct action and counter terrorism. The Special Forces (Airborne) served in Vietnam, Operation Just Cause (in Panama) and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. While not technically a 'special operations force,' the Marines describe their expeditionary units as 'special operations capable. ' These units -- at least two of which are in the Indian Ocean -- are capable of quick, compact, multi-faceted military campaigns. These units generally have more equipment, logistical and technical support, weaponry and marines than their conventional counterparts, giving them more firepower.

Their purpose is to provide the commander-in-chief an operational maneuver capability from the sea. Commanded by a colonel, one Marine expeditionary unit typically includes about 2,200 personnel. The infantry battalion uses amphibious assault and light-armored vehicles, and the aviation unit employs helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft such as 'Harrier' jets. SEALs, which stand for Sea, Air, Land, are the U.S. Navy's primary and most acclaimed special operations forces unit. Operating mainly in tight 16-man groups, SEALs are capable of conducting top-secret ground and water-based missions. SEALs are trained extensively and rigorously in and around San Diego, California, and Norfolk, Virginia, to withstand and, in fact, thrive in the face of personal, physical, environmental and other challenges.

They trace their history to the frogmen of World War II, although new threats -- including terrorism -- have forced them to evolve substantially in recent years. SEALs take on missions, many of them classified, throughout the world. Larger teams are often divided into 'cells' -- i.e. an evasion and recovery cell, force protection cell, sniper cell, etc. While the military acknowledges the existence of Special Mission Units, or SM Us, such as Delta Force, it does not specify what they are called or their specific locations, staffing or organizational structure. Unofficially, Delta Force is considered one of the U.S. military's elite special operations forces units, its members drawn from all military branches. Delta Force is thought to have been formed after a spate of terrorist attacks in the 1970's.

As with the Navy Seals, several allied special operations forces -- including possibly those of Great Britain, France, Germany and Israel -- have significantly influenced Delta Force. The composition, strength and abilities of Delta Force remain a closely guarded secret, as are all of its missions to date. But the unit is thought to be equipped with the nation's most advanced weaponry and equipment. Unit members undertake an extensive selection and assessment process, and conduct the core of their counter-terrorism training on U.S. military bases.

According to retired Gen. David Grange, a former Rangers commander, hostage rescue is considered to be a Delta Force speciality. While not as widely known as the SEALs, Army Rangers or even the mysterious Delta Force, the Air Force Special Operations Forces transport and provide close-air support as an integral part of any special operations mission. Air Force SOF are uniquely qualified to provide close-air support, firing on targets and participating in refueling, re-supplying and other support tasks. The units utilize advanced navigational and surveillance equipment.

The Air Force SOF -- in fact, all the U.S. military special operations forces units -- pride themselves on their 'quiet professionalism. ' Besides physical and military challenges, special operations forces are also schooled in language, cultural and social differences in their assigned areas of responsibility all over the globe. British forces are also reportedly involved in operations in Afghanistan. The British military has a long history of using special operations units, like the famed Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment The Special Air Service regiment of the British Army, perhaps the most well-known of British special operation units, was founded in 1941 and has the motto 'Who Dares Wins. ' Conceived to fight in the North African desert behind the German lines, the regiment later developed anti-terrorism skills while hunting the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Northern Ireland. The most famous SAS mission was the liberation of the Iranian Embassy in London in May 1980, which had been taken over by six gunmen.

On the sixth day, after the gunmen killed a hostage, the SAS stormed the embassy. In the ensuing chaos, five of the six terrorists were killed, one hostage was killed and the 19 remaining hostages were freed. Only around 10 soldiers out of 125 applicants are said to make it through the grueling selection process. Those selected receive the beret and famous winged dagger beret badge -- symbolizing the Sword of Damocles. The Regiment parachutists, known as the 'Paras,' were created in 1940 at the order of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Currently, the regiment is made up of four battalions, one kept in a constant state of readiness, and the Pathfinder Platoon, which conducts reconnaissance and other advance missions before any airborne assaults.

British parachutists have fought in nearly all the conflicts that have seen British participation, including the invasion of Europe in World War II and the 1982 war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, where the regiment endured the heaviest losses of all British troops. The Paras motto is 'Utrinque,' or 'Ready for anything. ' The Royal Marines, the British Navy's infantry brigade, are employed mainly for amphibious operations or from airplanes. The brigade retains a commando unit in constant readiness to deploy worldwide on short notice.

Recruits can wear the green cap of the marines only after enduring 30 weeks of training. The current Royal Marine commando units were formed in 1940 at the request of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who wanted special troops that could 'develop a reign of terror down on these (enemy occupied) coasts. ' The Royal Marines participated in the D-Day invasion and mounted the world's first-ever helicopter raid in 1956 during the British-French assault on Port Said in Egypt. The Gurkha brigade originated with Nepalese soldiers in the 19th century, who impressed the British imperial troops with their ferocity and military ability. The first Gurkha units were formed in 1815.

They saw action in both world wars and were fundamental to the British military maintaining control of India in the 1800's. Today there are 3,400 troops in the Gurkha brigade, operating from bases in Great Britain. Most recently, Gurkha troops were used in the Persian Gulf War and the Balkan conflicts. AGM-84 Type: Standoff land attack missile (SLAM-ER) Range: More than 150 miles Accuracy: Classified - precision attack weapon Guidance: 'Smart' weapon with global positioning system and infra-red seeker, man-in-the-loop control AGM-86 Type: Air-launched cruise missile Range: 1,550 miles Speed: 550 mph Guidance: Flies at low altitude and relies on global positioning system Launch: Launches from B-52 H and B-1 B bombersJDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) oo Global positioning system guidance ki too Converts existing free falling bombs into 'smart' weapons The political battle With few exceptions, political leaders and citizens worldwide resoundingly condemned the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon. But reactions to the U.S. military response to these attacks - assaults on Afghanistan from the air and, increasingly, from ground troops -- has not been so universally or positively received. Anti-American protests have broken out worldwide, including in the United States.

Several leaders, including some heading countries with large Islamic populations, have come out against the U.S. military action. These reactions have fueled concerns Washington is losing the battle for the hearts and minds of the global public, especially in the Arab world. The Bush administration has had more success in diplomatic circles. Most leaders have pledged support for the international anti-terrorism coalition, rallying behind the strikes on Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

United Kingdom Most Britons continue to support their Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who has played a leading role in forming the coalition against terrorism among western and Arab nations. Blair, made a keynote speech on Tuesday urging people not to forget the horrors of September 11. He was speaking as an opinion poll revealed public support for Anglo-American military action against Afghanistan had fallen. The Guardian / ICM poll found support down by 12 points in the past fortnight, from 74 percent to 62 percent. Germany Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has spoken out against a pause, for humanitarian reasons, in military action in Afghanistan, saying that a temporary halt in the action would only prolong suffering. Some members of Germany's Green Party are among those who have called for daily bombings to be temporarily halted, and public opinion remains divided on the issue: 54 percent favour a pause so humanitarian relief can be provided, according to a poll last week.

Russia Opinion polls show Russians are very upset about the September 11 attacks, but they do not support military involvement in Afghanistan. For 10 years, the former Soviet Union fought a war there, and withdrew in defeat. Many analysts say that was one of the factors that led to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. Young Russian soldiers died, or came back injured and scarred, so many families can't imagine going in that direction again.

President Vladimir Putin is popular, and reflects public opinion when he says Russia will provide humanitarian help, bases and airspace for rescue missions, additional weapons for the Northern Alliance, but that's all. A series of bombings around Moscow a few years ago scared Russians. The bombings were blamed on Chechen rebels, who have been described here as 'terrorists. ' So Russians support what they see as an effort to eradicate terrorism in all parts of the world.

Israel / Palestinian territories In a divided region there was rare unity on September 11. Palestinian and Israeli leaders all condemned of the U.S. attacks, labelling them as unacceptable terrorism. Both sides committed themselves to being part of the U.S. -led global coalition against terror, and rejected attempts by Osama bin Laden to link the attacks to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In the wake of the attacks a small group of Palestinians celebrated in the streets; at the same time others held candlelit vigils for those who died in the U.S... The Palestinian Authority has cracked down on protests against the Afghan strikes, at one stage its security forces shot a number of demonstrators. But it has yet to take a formal position on the U.S. -led attacks; saying they were an issue on which the Arab nations as a whole must formulate a stance.

Israel has supported the offensive, but among some Israelis there is resentment at U.S. demands that the conflict in the Middle East be ended. The U.S. has insisted that it is a stumbling block in its efforts to include Arab nations in the war on terror, and has demanded that Israel desist from the occupation of Palestinian-controlled territory.