Through the green tint of my night vision goggles, I watched the urban sprawl of Mosul speed beneath my feet, my legs dangling outside the door of a MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. To my left sat fellow Green Beret James Hupp, both of us anticipating our arrival at the landing zone. Behind us, the helicopter was packed with Iraq SWAT team members that we had trained and led on … [Read more...] about Remembering James Hupp, A Green Beret Gone Too Soon
Jack Murphy Articles
Watch: US Special Forces Underwater Operations School
"In the Combat Dive Qualification Course, dive school trainees learn surface and subsurface waterborne infiltration. The school also conducts the Combat Diving Supervisor's Course and Diving Medical Technician Course. Since World War II and into modern conflicts across the globe, divers have played an integral part in not only the military's war records, but also in the … [Read more...] about Watch: US Special Forces Underwater Operations School
A US Special Forces Operator’s Guide To Military Weapons
I hope that this article proves useful as there are many misconceptions and outright fabrications drifting through the netherworld of the internet regarding military weapons and how they are employed. Every year or so I see a chain e-mail popping up on message boards, Facebook, and other venues on the internet. It is supposed to be a "weapons report card" written by an Army … [Read more...] about A US Special Forces Operator’s Guide To Military Weapons
Special Forces Weapons Guide: A Green Beret’s Insider Look
Ever wondered what kind of firepower a Green Beret carries into the fight? From standard-issue rifles to specialized grenade launchers, this insider's guide reveals the arsenal of choice for one of the world's most elite fighting forces. Get ready for a firsthand look at the weapons that make Special Forces operators so effective in combat. Assault Rifles/Carbines M4 … [Read more...] about Special Forces Weapons Guide: A Green Beret’s Insider Look
Sergeant Joe Kapacziewski, Back in the Fight
I first met Kap when I was a Team Leader in 1st Platoon, A/co, 3rd Ranger Battalion, and truth be told, I thought he was a pretty abrasive dude at first. What I gradually came to realize was that he was standoffish because he didn't know me and rightly didn't trust me yet. I was the new guy and untested in his eyes as a Squad Leader. Deploying to Iraq, I found a new respect for … [Read more...] about Sergeant Joe Kapacziewski, Back in the Fight
Eeben Barlow Speaks Out (Pt. 1): PMC and Nigerian Strike Force Devastates Boko Haram
Reports have emerged from Nigeria that South African military contractors are on the ground helping the Nigerian military deal some devastating blows to the terrorist organization known as Boko Haram. "The campaign gathered good momentum and wrested much of the initiative from the enemy," says Eeben Barlow, the chairman of STTEP, a private military company (PMC) on the ground … [Read more...] about Eeben Barlow Speaks Out (Pt. 1): PMC and Nigerian Strike Force Devastates Boko Haram
WATCH: How to pass Special Forces Assessment and Selection
The journey to becoming a Special Forces soldier won't be easy. Special Forces training is rigorous and highly selective, but the courage and strength you will gain as a candidate will stay with you your entire life. In addition to Basic Combat Training, soldiers must have completed Advanced Individual Training and U.S. Army Airborne School to be eligible for Special Forces … [Read more...] about WATCH: How to pass Special Forces Assessment and Selection
WATCH: American YPG volunteer describes joining up with the Kurdish militia
Ever wonder how people join up with groups such as the YPG? A former Marine and volunteer with the Kurdish YPG militia answers questions about how it is done. In this Q&A he even talks about how the food is, ranging from nothing but bread to quality rations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD-JlhESPg4 … [Read more...] about WATCH: American YPG volunteer describes joining up with the Kurdish militia
‘El Chapo’ drug lord sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years
Notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán was sentenced Wednesday in a New York court to life in prison plus 30 years. Guzmán oversaw the Sinaloa Cartel, a massive drug-running operation that distributed narcotics throughout the United States. He was also something of a folk hero to some people for his multiple prison escapes. The last straw came during a January … [Read more...] about ‘El Chapo’ drug lord sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years
Afghan commando unit suffers 25 killed in clashes near Turkmenistan border
Abdul Ghaffar Malakzai, governor of Badghis Province, confirmed that 25 members of Afghanistan's elite commando unit have been killed in a firefight with the Taliban. RFE/RL reports: An Afghan regional governor said 25 members of the country's elite commando units have been killed in fighting with the Taliban. The incident, which occurred on July 15 in the northern … [Read more...] about Afghan commando unit suffers 25 killed in clashes near Turkmenistan border
Ammo maker declares war on “trained wildlife,” including dolphins
Ammunition manufacturer Hornady DGS is marketing its brand of super-cavitation bullets designed for subsurface use. In testing, it has been shown that just a few feet of water is generally enough to stop a bullet. This means conventional ammunition is of very limited use to combat divers and other Special Operations teams while conducting sub-surface missions with SCUBA or … [Read more...] about Ammo maker declares war on “trained wildlife,” including dolphins
Heavily armed neo-Nazi ring busted up by Italian police
Digos, Turin's special police unit, executed raids in northern Italy with the assistance of police in Milan, Forli, Varese, and Novara, according to the BBC. The police operation was part of an investigation into Italians who had fought alongside Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Police arrested Fabio Del Bergiolo, who had previously worked as a customs official … [Read more...] about Heavily armed neo-Nazi ring busted up by Italian police