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Senior Special Ops Leaders Discuss Value of Partnerships, Alliances

Friday, May 22nd, 2026

Senior military special operations forces leaders from the U.S., Sweden and the Philippines participated in a morning panel today about the importance of SOF partnerships and alliances, as part of Special Operations Forces Week 2026 in Tampa, Florida.

During the one-hour conversation, the four participants discussed how building trust through international alliances enhances collective readiness and interoperability, making it a prerequisite for mission success in contested environments.

“I think the most important thing is to continue to build trust between partners within the alliance, [and] also between partners,” Swedish army Brig. Gen. Rickard Johansson, commander of Sweden’s special operations forces, replied after the panel was asked what the international SOF community needs to focus on most to ensure that alliances are stronger, truly integrated and capable of meeting the challenges of an increasingly complex and contested world.

“And we will continue to do that, because that is the bottom line for all activities that we are supposed to do: build trust,” Johansson added.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Claude K. Tudor Jr., commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, concurred with Johansson’s assessment, noting that his command has to monitor 53 countries on the African continent, so strong relationships with those countries’ SOF elements are vital.

“Any day that ends in a ‘y,’ you know, there could be crisis out there. And so, as we continue to go through that — in order for us to have the placement and access that we need without building huge infrastructure all over the place — it’s critical to have those relationships,” Tudor said, adding that such relationships are “very, very critical.”

The panel also discussed the need to build trust and develop strong working relationships with partners and allies to enable joint interoperability of advanced warfighting technologies.

Specifically, the leaders discussed the incorporation of abundant, attritable autonomous weapons systems — robustly designed drones that are cheap and scalable enough that commanders can tolerate losing them in combat.

Army Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers III, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Central, explained that incorporating such technologies into the fight will make things happen fast and that SOF partners will need to be on the same page.

“Things are going to happen at a speed [where] human relationships are going to be the thing that gets you [into the fight], but it’s not going to let you execute and win. … And we’re going to need partnerships that include all of those trust aspects. … But then, on the outside of that, you’re going to need to be able to go to any one of these partners, and we’re going to have to be able to scale quickly,” Jeffers said of incorporating the weapons systems into SOF partnerships.

Jeffers cited relationships with Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Israel as good examples of countries with which the U.S. SOF community is partnering to synchronize their respective warfighting technologies.

The panelists were also asked to cite examples of how establishing a deep personal trust between their SOF community and a partner nation have directly led to a strategic success that would otherwise have been impossible.

Philippine army Maj. Gen. Ferdinand B. Napuli, commander of that country’s special operations command, pointed to the strong relationship his island nation has had with the U.S. for the past 80 years.

Specifically, he cited Exercise Balikatan, a massive annual U.S.-Philippine military drill that regularly integrates special operations forces to execute complex counterterrorism, unconventional warfare and crisis-response scenarios, as an example of the partnership, an exercise that is growing in size each year.

“Thank you, world partners, for this year. The growing number of participants in Balikatan is [warmly] felt,” Napuli said.

Johansson told the partner nation members in the audience that Sweden could not have reached a high level of military competence without their help.

“The support from a lot of partners in this room, [has] actually made us be what we have become. Thank you for that,” he said.

By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News

Posted in Guest Post, SOF | No Comments »

AFSOC Unveils OA-1K Skyraider II Rapid Deployment Capability at SOF Week

Wednesday, May 20th, 2026

TAMPA, Fla. —

During the annual Special Operations Forces Week conference, Air Force Special Operations Command unveiled a unique capability of its OA-1K Skyraider II.

To fulfill rapid deployment requirements and further provide expeditionary agility, AFSOC’s newest platform, the Skyraider II, is capable of rapid break-down disassembly and reassembly. In this broken-down state, one or several Skyraider IIs can be loaded onto a larger aircraft and moved during strategic airlift to a new location, overcoming the tyranny of distance. Upon arrival at its destination, crews can quickly configure the aircraft to a flyable operational condition.

“This capability is right in line with our vision of the versatility the OA-1K and its crews will provide to our teammates,” said Lt. Gen. Mike Conley, AFSOC commander. “The OA-1K offers a unique and modular solution for a wide range of operations, including armed overwatch, at a fraction of a cost of other platforms.”

The OA-1K was designed to be adaptable across mission requirements, whether it be close air support, precision strike, or armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

“SOF teams will value the Skyraider II’s ability to operate alongside them in austere environments,” said Conley. “Whether you need an OA-1K to find, fix, target, or engage directly, it will adapt to the requirements of the mission at hand.”

AFSOC will have an OA-1K static present at this year’s SOF Week conference. SOF Week is an annual, week-long conference that brings together the international SOF community, industry partners and leaders across U.S. Special Operations Command.

While at SOF Week, AFSOC leaders will engage with key stakeholders that will utilize the Skyraider II in the future, while strengthening strategic partnerships across the SOF enterprise to accelerate collective modernization.

The first missionized OA-1K was delivered to AFSOC on April 3, 2025. Since then, formal training has been anchored at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma, where operators are refining the platform’s specialized capabilities, including its rapid deployment advantage.

“The rapid disassembly and reassembly means, in a matter of hours, the aircraft can be loaded into mobility aircraft like a C-5 or C-17 for worldwide deployment,” said Lt. Col. Robert Wilson, AFSOC’s Armed Overwatch requirements branch chief. “With the OA-1K ‘any place, any time, anywhere’ is not just a motto, but an actual capability.”

ASFOC will continue to validate this capability in upcoming operational tests and during regularly scheduled exercises. The flexibility offered to the commanders employing the OA-1K ensures they always have dedicated overwatch while operating in non-permissive environments.

Air Force Special Operations Command

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Press Release, SOF, SOF Week | No Comments »

USSOCOM Seeks Hypervelocity Improved Capability Assault Rifle (HICAR)

Wednesday, May 20th, 2026

Rumors have been floating around since ISOF Range day that USSOCOM was going to issue a Request For Proposals for an M4 compatible upper receiver group capable of firing high pressure 5.56 ammunition as well as currently used M855A1 and Mk262 cartridges. This week Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane released an RFP.

The means of procurement will be Other Transactional Authority. Additional information on this process is available by referencing CSO N0016425SC0001, the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO).

The Requirement:

USSOCOM is seeking a carbine system to act as a replacement or upgrade for the current URG-I (Upper Receiver Group – Improved). The goal is to integrate advancements in material science and weapon design to provide operators with a technically superior individual weapon system capable of firing both legacy 5.56x45mm NATO and emerging hyper velocity ammunition.

The stated goal of this effort is to extend effective endgames ranges from the current 300 meters out to 600 meters.

Additional details:

The RFP states that “Weapon submissions that address the following technology priorities will benefit during the selection process:”

Hypervelocity Ammunition Compatibility: The ability to accept and reliably cycle both 5.56NATO and hyper velocity 5.56x45mm ammunition is a primary objective. The development of a complete weapon system or conversion kit optimized for hypervelocity ammunition will be a collaborative effort between the government and the proposer. Hypervelocity rounds offer significant performance benefits, including:

Increased Effective Range: Higher muzzle velocity allows the projectile to maintain kinetic energy over longer distances, extending the effective range to 600m+.

Improved Terminal Performance: Enhanced energy transfer upon impact leads to more effective terminal ballistics.

Enhanced Barrier Penetration: The increased velocity and kinetic energy enable the projectile to more effectively defeat body armor, barriers, and other hardened surfaces.

Longevity and Durability: The system must be engineered to withstand the increased chamber pressures and bolt thrust generated by hypervelocity ammunition without compromising the weapon’s service life or operator safety.

Interoperability: The system must remain fully interoperable with USSOCOM’s existing suite of Visual Augmentation Systems and Weapon Accessories (VASWA).

Primary Attributes as Threshold and Objective:

HICAR shall be chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. (T=O)

HICAR shall be compatible and capable of fit and functioning with the M4A1 lower receiver group without permanent modifications (T); with zero modifications (O)

HICAR shall fire and function with M855A1, Mk262 as well as Government supplied M855A1+ hypervelocity ammunition loaded to 82kpsi (T); with future hypervelocity ammunition designs optimized for projectile velocity and terminal effects on target (O).

HICAR barrel shall be between 11- 12 inches in length, measured from bare muzzle to bolt face (T=O).

HICAR shall not fire when on safe and dropped in accordance with TOP 3-2-045 (T=O).

HICAR shall employ the HUXWRX Flow 556k L In “Black Magic” suppressor (SKU: M3228) to reduce signature (T=O).[1] (this suppressor will serve as a surrogate for HICAR testing, an optimized suppressor requirement will follow in the future)

Secondary Attributes:

Average Mean Radius of 1 MOA (T); 0.5 MOA (O) when fired unsuppressed.[2]

Measured by averaging total of three (3) groups of ten (10) shots each fired by three (3) separate weapons in unsuppressed, manned, supported configuration at 100 meters with Black Hills Mk262 Mod1-C 77gr, PN# MP460556N9-COMMammunition.

No single ten round group larger than 2.5MOA extreme spread (T=O)

Barrel muzzle threaded to 1/2×28 or 5/8×24 threads per inch (T=O).

Weight not to exceed, unloaded and without suppressor, of 8lbs (T); 6.5lbs (O).

Length not to exceed, when measured from the end of the receiver extension to the end of muzzle device, of 31 (T); 28 (O) inches.

Continuously timed and biased M1913 picatinny rail at 12 o’clock minimum of 16 inches in length. (T=O)

Interoperability with all current SOCOM POR Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS) accessories and enablers (T=O).

Recoil shock impulse less than the POR Mk17 7.62NATO to ensure VAS survivability (T=O)

HICAR ergonomics similar to M4A1 (T=O).

HICAR MRBS of 800 (T); 1,600 (O) rounds between stoppages.

HICAR MRBF of 5,000 (T); 10,000 (O) rounds between failures

Cycle and function with M855A1 and Mk262 ammunition (T) cycle and function with current training ammunition to include ball, frangible, and tracer cartridges (O).

Barrel life 8,000 (T); 20,000 (O) rounds.

Measured with M855A1+ ammunition fired as a function of Muzzle Velocity loss of 5% below mean or dispersion above an established threshold, whichever occurs first (T=O).

Trigger pull weight less than 5lbs (T), 3lbs (O)

Selection of fire: Safe, Semi-auto (T) fully Automatic (O).

Cycle and function with Gen3 PMAG Magazines (T=O)[3].

Handguard should minimize deflection and POI shift when under load from a bipod or supported on a barricade (O).

Handguard with M-LOK mounting points at 7 positions radially for mounting accessories and enablers (T=O).

Modular ambidextrous safety lever (O). (“Modular” defined as ability to have a selector lever on left, right or both sides simultaneously)

Ambidextrous bolt catch/bolt release, ambidextrous magazine release, and ambidextrous charging handle (O).

Fencing around the controls to prevent accidental engagement of the magazine release and bolt release mechanisms (T=O).

Single rigid sling point at the rear of the receiver for maritime operations (O)[4].

Resistant to damage from immersion in three (3) feet of seawater for two (2) hours without affecting the weapon’s performance and able to fire within thirty (30) (O); ten (10) (T) seconds after submersion.

Protected with durable corrosion resistant coating in all SOF climatic environments including NBC contaminated environments. Corrosion and abrasion proof coatings to minimize the attraction of dust and contaminants (T=O).

Utilize where possible self-lubricating coatings and minimize buildup of dust, carbon, copper, and debris (O).

Fully functional in all environments from -40 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (O).

Comply with relevant direct-fire MIL-STD specifications as directed by NSWC-Crane SOCOM Weapons Team (O).

Industry Partner submit to and successfully perform all tests required by NSWC-Crane SOCOM Weapons Team to achieve limited safety release (LSR) from the Navy Weapon Safety Evaluation & Review Board (WSESRB) (O).

Inscribed at position of Government-choosing with Industry Partner, OASW (SO/LIC) & SSO CD&I TOS Team Lethality logos. (Nice touch guys)

Contain markings to include caliber, year of manufacture, and manufacturer identification.

Not rely on any first-order-supply-chain components from adversary countries as defined in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (O). Any such reliance must be fully documented and mitigated in the Contract Risk Register by Industry Partner (T).

If not already in BASE, Industry to provide industrialization plan to produce HICAR in the United States by the completion of the contract (T). Designed, engineered, and assembled in the United States (O).

A complete HICAR system to consist of the following:

Weapon System, Urban

Heat Mitigation Rail Covers

Buttstock, Multi-Point Adjustable

7x Magpul Gen3 556 Magazines

Field Maintenance Kit, Fix-It Sticks

Field Cleaning Kit

User Manual and Maintenance Manual, hard copy and digital.

The Ammunition

The ammunition used is going to drive this program. As currently configured, neither the M4A1 or USSOCOM’s URG-1 will reliably withstand this new cartridge’s wear and tear. If they would, there would be no reason for this procurement.

Many vendors who are interested in this effort may be disadvantaged due to access to the government provided ammunition and the shirt timelines. White papers must be submitted by 8 June and the government won’t announce those who are invited to a vendor day until 29 June and can’t pitches the specified ammunition until then. They will then have until 15 September to prepare for the Pitch Days where selected vendors will have one-on-ones with the government and must demonstrate their candidate URG on the range.

The big question has been which high pressure 5.56 cartridge they are actually planning to field. It is being referred to as M855A1+ in the RFP and we also know that USSOCOM is planning for chamber pressures in excess of 82kpsi.

The Army has been quietly working on a couple of solutions and SOF another. Even with the fielding of the Next Generation Squad Weapon M7 rifle and M8 carbine, the US Army alone will still have around 900,000 M4/M4A1 carbines in its inventory so enhanced lethality for the M4 platform is in everyone’s best interest. While the Army didn’t adopt the URG-I to improve its service rifle capability, the increased capability of a new high pressure case 5.56 would likely lead to Army interest in fielding an “M4A2” variant using the new URG and appropriate operating system upgrades. In such a scenario, the M4 lower would remain. USSOCOM’s goal is the same, improve the capability of the current M4A1.

Likewise, SOCOM has multiple ammunition improvement efforts afoot including what they are referring to as “Hyper Velocity” ammunition.

Concerns

Aside from access to the ammunition which will become a serious eye opener for those who lack experience with high pressure cartridges, I have a couple of other concerns. The government has stated they are willing to accept Technology Readiness Level 6 proposals which are still in the realm of a science experiment. Additionally, other than what is specified above, there is no proposed timeline for the procurement.

Conclusion

It certainly offers a huge capability increase for US military small arms. This will be an interesting effort to watch and even more so to see what industry proposes and how much of that will be introduced commercially.

Posted in Ammo, SOF, weapons | No Comments »

AFSOC Introduces ‘Havoc Spear’, Its Newest Cruise Missile

Wednesday, May 20th, 2026

TAMPA, Fla. —

Air Force Special Operations Command has officially unveiled the popular name of the AGM-190A small cruise missile as “Havoc Spear.”

The announcement, taking place at the Special Operations Forces Week conference, marks a critical step in AFSOC’s Enhanced Precision Effects (EPE) efforts, a modernization initiative set to equip adaptable weapon systems capable of delivering long-range, precise, kinetic and non-kinetic effects.

Havoc Spear is a low-cost, mission adaptable, modular-design cruise missile that can be rapidly produced. The project was spearheaded by U.S. Special Operations Command to get after the need for rapid, iterative weapon development.

“The primary value of this system is its modularity which provides expanded standoff options for commanders to neutralize a range of threats,” said Lt. Gen. Mike Conley, commander of AFSOC. “Our modernization efforts with EPE will integrate all-domain effects across our platforms, firmly planting special operations forces into the Joint Force kill chain.”

To accelerate development, AFSOC and U.S. SOCOM enacted a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement(CRADA)with an industry partner to develop the missile. According to command leadership, typical weapons development programs take between five to seven years to complete, but Havoc Spear “broke the mold” of weapons acquisition as it was designed, tested, and evaluated in combat in less than three years’ time.

In his SOF Week keynote address, U.S. Navy Adm. Frank Bradley, commander of U.S. SOCOM mentioned CRADAs being the driving force in Havoc Spear’s production. He also touched on the advancements in the procurement and implementation of new technology.

“The technology was there, what we needed was the venue to move fast and take calculated, manageable risks,” said Bradley. “It is that exact DNA — that operator-to-engineer feedback loop — that is now scaling across the Joint Force.”

During a visit to AFSOC headquarters in November 2025, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink chose the name “Havoc Spear” as a capabilities descriptor of widespread destruction via mass attack (Havoc) and precision targeting from afar (Spear).

AFSOC plans to leverage Havoc Spear’s adaptable strike capabilities to support specialized airpower requirements for Joint Force partners in U.S.SOCOM, as well as tackling the Air Force’s most critical missions.

Havoc Spear’s capability will create dilemmas for adversaries, enhance lethality, and reinforce AFSOC’s commitment to maintain a decisive advantage against emerging threats across all domains.

Air Force Special Operations Command

Posted in Air Force, Press Release, SOF, weapons | No Comments »

Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation’s The SOF Auction & Raffle

Monday, May 18th, 2026

Task Force Dagger Special Operation Foundation (TFDSOF)’s SOF Auction & Raffle is open now and closes during the SOF Social held at Cubic’s Embassy Suites Ballroom on May 19th at 8PM EDT.

There are more than 130 items on the Auction & Raffle, the list includes a Limited Edition framed US flag, parachuted into Normandy for 80th Anniversary of D-Day, One of a kind Kitchen Knife Set Made from Damascus Steel recovered from the Twin Towers, Guided & Filmed Turkey Hunt in TN w. Spook Spahn, Lou Gramm signed guitar, Richard Childress Racing VIP NASCAR Experience, Mar-a-Lago Gala and Golf at Trump International, Custom Golf Fitting of full set of TaylorMade Clubs by Dustin Johnson’s Golf Coach a PGA Top 100 Teacher, Exclusive TFD branded bottle of Wolfburn 12 Year Single Malt Scotch, trips, firearms, ammunition, tactical items, clothing, outdoor products, golf products, sports memorabilia and many more

To bid on an item, sponsor a program recipient, buy a raffle ticket, or to learn more about this fundraising event, please visit: sofauction.cbo.io

This is the 10th year of the SOF Auction & Raffle, and we have raised more than $873,00 the past nine years of this event. Help us break $1,000,000 while we try to reach our goal this year of $300,000. All funds raised though the SOF Auction & Raffle will directly impact families of the Special Operations Community and 100% of the proceeds will be applied to TFDSOF’s three core programs: Immediate Needs, Rehabilitative Events, and the SOF Health Initiatives Program.

About TFDSOF:

Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation provides assistance to wounded, ill, or injured United States Special Operations Command members and their families. We respond to immediate needs, conduct Rehabilitative Therapy Events, and provide next-generation health solutions for issues facing our service members. Our cohesive programs improve the quality of life for Special Operations Families. To learn more about Task Force Dagger Special Operation Foundation, visit our website at www.taskforcedagger.org.

Posted in Fundraising, Nonprofit, Press Release, SOF, SOF Week, Veterans | No Comments »

The Invisible Front: How PSYOP is Redefining Modern Conflict

Thursday, May 7th, 2026

FORT POLK, La.—At the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Soldiers from the 7th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Battalion are focused on a critical aspect of modern conflict: psychological warfare. As they integrate with the 82nd Airborne Division for a demanding training rotation, they are not only honing traditional skills but are also testing the very future of their craft. Armed with experimental AI systems, tactical drones, and modern versions of classic deception tools, these Soldiers are on the front lines of defining information dominance for the next conflict.

For PSYOP units, JRTC is the ultimate proving ground. “Coming out to a CTC (Combat Training Center) gives PSYOP a chance to actually integrate with Civil Affairs, Special Forces, Ranger Regiment, and the conventional forces as well,” explained a seasoned PSYOP Observer Controller Trainer (OCT) at JRTC. He emphasized that this is not a siloed exercise, but a complex simulation of large-scale operations where PSYOP must seamlessly weave its capabilities into the broader fight.

This integration is designed to be comprehensive, with PSYOP elements supporting commanders at every level of conflict. PSYOP personnel are typically embedded at the division and brigade levels, and others work directly with other Special Operations Forces, 7th PSYOP Battalion’s Tactical PSYOP Team (TPT), focused on the battalion level. The detachment commander explained that his team’s mission placed them directly with the infantry and artillery battalions of the 82nd. This forward positioning allowed them to provide commanders on the ground with immediate access to non-kinetic options to shape the fight.

Forging the Future: A Closer Look at PSYOP’s New Toolkit

A central part of the mission at JRTC is putting new experimental equipment and procedures through its paces in a realistic combat environment. This rotation featured several key pieces of technology that demonstrated significant promise for the future of psychological operations, from AI-driven content creation to advanced battlefield deception.

Ghost in the Machine: An AI-Powered Media Generator

One of the most forward-looking systems being tested is the “Ghost Machine”, a ruggedized, field-deployable AI platform. Its purpose is to give Soldiers the ability to create and disseminate messages and media on the spot, dramatically reducing the time between commander’s intent and a product’s creation.

A combat camera specialist who tested the system, highlighted its audio generation feature as particularly impressive. Soldiers can input a script, and the AI can translate it and generate an audio file of a native sounding speaker reading the message in a variety of languages. This allows a team to, for example, create a targeted loudspeaker message for a specific local population or enemy unit in their own dialect within minutes, a task that would have previously required specialized linguist support and recording equipment. The system is also capable of generating simple images, providing a rapid response capability for creating basic visual aids in the field.

Drones on the Battlefield: The Sky-Raider and the “Night Haunter”

Proving to be one of the most immediately impactful tools were the tactical drones. The team utilized the Sky-Raider, a powerful quadcopter notable for its significant payload capacity. This lifting strength allows it to be a versatile delivery platform for a wide range of PSYOP products.

PSYOP Soldiers from across the regiment have demonstrated their field ingenuity by designing and 3-D printing their own custom delivery mechanisms. One of the most effective pairings was using the Sky-Raider to deploy “Night Haunters.” These are small, powerful speakers housed inside a cone to better project sounds, which can be dropped into strategic locations to broadcast messages, sounds, or recordings of military equipment like tanks or munitions.

A PSYOP Soldier described the drone’s varied applications, which went far beyond simple leaflet drops. In one scenario, the team used a drone broadcasting specific sounds to subtly influence an enemy patrol’s route, channeling them directly into a pre-planned ambush by friendly infantry. In another, they used it to divert enemy armored vehicles by flying over a road and broadcasting the sounds of mining activity, deceiving the enemy into believing the route was impassable.

Tactical Deception: The “Magpie” and Dummy Artillery

PSYOP teams are also modernizing classic deception tactics with new technology. By combining visual decoys with electronic warfare, they can create convincing illusions to mislead the enemy. During the rotation, the team deployed inflatable, dummy M777 howitzer barrels to create the visual signature of an artillery position.

To make the deception truly believable, they paired the visual dummies with the Magpie emitter. This device is an electronic warfare tool designed to replicate the specific radio frequency (RF) signature of a real M777 howitzer’s command and control network. When the Magpie is active, and enemy conducting signals intelligence (SIGINT) will detect what appears to be a fully operational artillery firing positions.

The goal, as a detachment commander explained, is to “bait the enemy into firing on the dummy position.” This multi-layered deception pressures an enemy commander to waste high-value, precision-guided munitions on a fake target. More importantly, the moment the enemy fires, their position is exposed to friendly counter-battery radar and fire, allowing US forces to destroy the real enemy asset. It’s a sophisticated trap that turns the enemy’s own intelligence-gathering against them.

Forging a Vision for the Future

The experience at JRTC is about more than just testing new equipment, it’s about shaping the future role of PSYOP. The military as whole sees a clear need for PSYOP’s unique skills in shaping the information environment, from the brigade’s rear area all the way to the front lines and beyond.

The vision for PSYOP is ambitious. The company’s operations officer described a role where his teams could so thoroughly control the flow of information that the enemy is paralyzed. In this vision of psychological warfare, PSYOP’s job is to flood the enemy’s intelligence apparatus with so much conflicting data that they “can’t decipher what is true and what is not.”

“As far as I’m concerned,” the operations officer concluded, “what PSYOP does for that division commander is we tell the enemy what is true and what isn’t. So that way, we have all the advantages.”

By CPT Rachel Deppen

Posted in Army, Guest Post, IO, SOF | No Comments »

Please Help The Sterling Promise Foundation Detect Colon Cancer In Our Veterans

Monday, May 4th, 2026

Scott Sterling served his country with honor and distinction in the U.S. Army Special Operations community. His loyalty and commitment to his fellow soldiers continued long after his service. Unfortunately, he was taken from us in the prime of his life due to colon cancer.

The Sterling Promise Foundation is committed to continuing his promise to support our nation’s soldiers and veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. Scott’s fierce and relentless fight with colorectal cancer is the genesis for our mission to improve the health and wellness for veterans.

The Sterling Promise Foundation (SPF) is expanding its visibility in 2026, and there are some exciting updates to share regarding SOF Week.

If you’re at SOF Week, please join them for their annual fundraiser:

Tuesday, May 19th

1630 – 1900

Westin Tampa Downtown Waterside

Additionally, SPF will be exhibiting in the Community Corridor at Booth #3600. In support of their mission to drive early detection and proactive health awareness, they will host on-site blood screenings in partnership with Guardant Health.

Learn more here.

Posted in Medical, Nonprofit, SOF, SOF Week, Veterans | No Comments »

Gatorz Eyewear X Navy SEAL Foundation SENTIX

Sunday, May 3rd, 2026

The GATORZ x Navy SEAL Foundation Sentix brings together American crafted durability and a mission that extends beyond the frame.

Built from aircraft grade aluminum and paired with TruRay Smoke Polarized lenses, each pair delivers the clarity and strength required in high performance environments. Custom Navy SEAL Foundation and THAT WARRIOR engravings reflect a mindset defined by resilience, discipline, and commitment.

A portion of proceeds from every purchase supports the Navy SEAL Foundation and its work providing critical care for warriors, veterans, and their families.

Get yours at www.gatorz.com/products/navy-seal-foundation-x-sentix.

Posted in Eyepro, Guest Post, Navy, Nonprofit, SOF | No Comments »