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By President Ronald Reagan.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in our bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
The United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) was activated in April 1987 to provide command, control and training for all special operations forces (SOF) in the United States.
United States Special Operations command mission: Provide fully capable Special Operations Forces to defend the United States and its interests. Plan and synchronize operations against terrorist networks.
SOCOM headquarters is at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Its components include the U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.; the Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla; the Naval Special Warfare Command, Coronado, Calif., and the Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg. The John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School, and the Naval Special Warfare Center are also assigned to the command.
To support SOCOM's primary mission for combat-ready forces for rapid reinforcement of the other unified commands worldwide SOCOM:
- Develops doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures for all special operations;
- Conducts specialized courses of instruction for all SOF;
- Trains assigned forces and ensures interoperability of equipment and forces;
- Monitors the preparedness of its forces assigned to other unified commands; and
- Develops and acquires unique SOF equipment, material, supplies and services.
In short, U.S. Special Operations Command prepares assigned forces to carry out special operations, psychological operations and civil affairs missions as required. Also, the command plans for and conducts special operations if directed by the president or the secretary of Defense. These operations may be conducted in peacetime or during hostilities. SOF have been employed in more than 95 percent of the military contingencies accomplished since the Vietnam War.
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