Special Operations medics are arguably the best-trained emergency medical care responders in the military, or indeed in the medical world. The nature of SOF operations means that operators more often than not find themselves in austere environments far from resupply or assistance. As a result, their medic training has to be the best possible. A few years ago, the Naval … [Read more...] about ‘I Stand Between My Brothers and Death’ – How Navy SEAL and SWCC Medics Are Made
Stavros Atlamazoglou Articles
Prison riot? Send in the SAS
Who said the SAS feed only on enemy sentries and terrorists? Rowdy prisoners can occasionally form part of their diet as well. Scotland — 1987. Thirty years ago, a prison riot in Peterhead turned ugly. Fifty inmates had managed to take control of D-wing. The riot had begun by the stabbing of an officer, but it had quickly escalated in a hostage situation. Two wardens … [Read more...] about Prison riot? Send in the SAS
The Secrets of World War II Close Quarters Combat (CQB)
A German helmet bobs in-and-out of sight as the Gestapo sentry paces the moonlit terrace. Crouching in the shadows is a British SOE agent wielding a Fairbairn Commando knife. It’s his first mission in occupied France. As taught, he slowly approaches from behind and with his left hand strikes the German at the back of the neck and immediately covers his mouth and nostrils. … [Read more...] about The Secrets of World War II Close Quarters Combat (CQB)
The Intriguing History of the Term Special Operator
Operator – someone who operates. In the civilian world, that could be someone operating an excavator, a wheeled tractor, and other similar heavy equipment. Historically, the term applied to people who worked in the old-school telephone centers and operated the manual telephone switchboards that were necessary in order for someone to call another number. In the military, … [Read more...] about The Intriguing History of the Term Special Operator
Special Air Service in Malaya: The Ferret Force
You can read Part I here. Brigadier "Mad Mike" Calvert’s second recommendation was to raise an unconventional force to hunt the Communist Terrorists (CTs) in their jungle hideouts. This became the Ferret Force. Named after the predator that wolfs down rats (the CTs being the rats in this case), the Ferret Force consisted of both soldiers and civilians. The … [Read more...] about Special Air Service in Malaya: The Ferret Force
The Purple Heart Debate: Why and to Whom Should It Be Awarded?
The Purple Heart is awarded to servicemembers who are killed or wounded in combat. However, modern realities and the evolving nature of conflict raise questions about who's eligible to receive the award. Specifically, there's been some debate regarding the victims of shootings in military installations in America — such as the Fort Hood and Little Rock recruiting station … [Read more...] about The Purple Heart Debate: Why and to Whom Should It Be Awarded?
Malayan Emergency: The Birth of the Modern Special Air Service
Malaya — 1948. The United Kingdom and the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) are vying for the post-colonial soul of the country. From the start, it wasn’t going to be easy for the British military. Malaya, you see, was in that awkward situation so common wherever Europeans decided to plant a flag: One border, two ethnicities. Malayans and Chinese, in equal numbers, … [Read more...] about Malayan Emergency: The Birth of the Modern Special Air Service
Special Operations Selection: This Study Reveals the Character Traits That Make It More Likely to Pass
A few years ago, the Australian military sanctioned a study of which character traits were more likely to make a candidate successful during the grueling six-week Commando Selection and Training Course (CSTC). The Australian Commandos are a unit similar to the U.S. 75th Ranger Regiment. It specializes in direct action, special reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism, among … [Read more...] about Special Operations Selection: This Study Reveals the Character Traits That Make It More Likely to Pass
Nord Stream 2 and the Many Faces of Warfare
Warfare can take many different guises: conventional, unconventional, nuclear, economic, diplomatic, energy, undeclared. But the most successful wars are the ones that needn’t be fought with arms. Throughout history, many nations have tried to avoid the human and economic calamities caused by conflict. An efficient way to achieve this is by turning a potential adversary into … [Read more...] about Nord Stream 2 and the Many Faces of Warfare
SAS in Malaya: The New Zealanders Arrive
This is Part III of a series. You can read Part I here and Part II here. The Malayan Emergency wasn't just a British affair. In 1955, as part of New Zealand’s contribution to the war, the Kiwi government ordered the creation of a special operations unit. Enter the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS). Major Frank Rennie, a WWII veteran, was tasked with creating the … [Read more...] about SAS in Malaya: The New Zealanders Arrive
SAS in Malaya: Jungle Operations
This is Part II of a series. You can read Part I here and Part III here. The year 1952 was good for the British effort in Malaya. It opened with Operation Helsby in February. A group of Communist Terrorists (CTs) was afflicting the Bellum Valley, near Thailand. British High Command decided on a combined airborne and ground assault to cleanse the threat. The ground … [Read more...] about SAS in Malaya: Jungle Operations
The Malayan Scouts: The Forefathers of the Modern SAS
This is Part I of a series. You can read part II here. The Ferret Force had unearthed the need for an unconventional unit that could hunt the Communist Terrorist (CTs) deep within the virgin jungle. A unit that could recce landing zones, discover weapons caches, ambush trails and raid enemy camps. The Malayan Scouts (SAS) aimed to do just that. And more. They’d also … [Read more...] about The Malayan Scouts: The Forefathers of the Modern SAS