Special Operations Question...Need Your Help

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Special Operations Question...Need Your Help

Posted: 3/19/2002 3:21:29 PM EDT

I'm looking for a list of [u][b]all[/b][/u] special operations groups currently deployed with our military.

There's the obvious, like Delta, SEALs, Army Special Forces, Rangers....but can any of you provide a definative list of all of them? I'm sort of unclear as to exactly where the line is drawn.

In addition to that, how many different SEAL teams are there? I was thinking 8 teams, but I'm not sure. Are other spec ops groups broken down in a similar way?

Thanks for the help. With all the ex-mil people here, I'm sure this is an easy one.

Posted: 3/19/2002 3:24:30 PM EDT

[#1]

I'm certainly not qualified to tell you where to draw the line between SpecOps and "regular" troops.

The Air Force fields Air Commandos, though, and I think they would makethe cut. If you need a rough headcount, I'll have to ask my dad, he was Commander 23AF in the early '80s, so his info mightr be slightly out of date. They operate out of Hurlburt Field, FLA.

Posted: 3/19/2002 3:24:35 PM EDT

[#2]

Marine Force Recon - find shit and/or kill it

Marine FAST - Force Anti-terrorist Security Team (i think)- basically they find terrorists before they have a chance to strike and turn their asses inside out.

Posted: 3/19/2002 3:56:45 PM EDT

[#3]

I believe FAST stands for Fast Action Security Team. They deal more with downed aircraft and pilots than terrorists. For instance, it should have been a Marine Corps FAST team securing the downed F-117A a couple of years ago.

I'd just like to add a question, esp to you Army vets. What is the difference between a Ranger, someone who has earned a Ranger Tab, a member of an A-Team, a Green Beret, and Special Forces Operations Detatchment Delta?

Posted: 3/19/2002 3:58:28 PM EDT

[#4]

BTW, I believe there are currently 6 SEAL teams with plans to expand to 8. The number of SEALs won't change it's just a change to the organization to allow more flexibility given the current geopolitical situation.

Posted: 3/19/2002 4:04:08 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I believe FAST stands for Fast Action Security Team. They deal more with downed aircraft and pilots than terrorists. For instance, it should have been a Marine Corps FAST team securing the downed F-117A a couple of years ago.

I'd just like to add a question, esp to you Army vets. What is the difference between a Ranger, someone who has earned a Ranger Tab, a member of an A-Team, a Green Beret, and Special Forces Operations Detatchment Delta?

View Quote

Not to doubt you or anything, but do ou have a source on this? I was almost positive they were an anti terrorist team....?

Posted: 3/19/2002 4:08:47 PM EDT

[#6]

Army folks please correct me if I am wrong.

Rangers, are used as shock troops to capture and hold positions until regular units arrive.

Special forces "green Berets", are used for training indigenous personnel, and behind the lines activities.

delta, anti terror personnel.

At least that is my understanding. again you army folks correct me or the information.

Posted: 3/19/2002 4:18:58 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I believe FAST stands for Fast Action Security Team. They deal more with downed aircraft and pilots than terrorists. For instance, it should have been a Marine Corps FAST team securing the downed F-117A a couple of years ago.

I'd just like to add a question, esp to you Army vets. What is the difference between a Ranger, someone who has earned a Ranger Tab, a member of an A-Team, a Green Beret, and Special Forces Operations Detatchment Delta?

View Quote

Not to doubt you or anything, but do ou have a source on this? I was almost positive they were an anti terrorist team....?

View Quote

OK, I looked it up in my FMFMs and have a website if you want more info...
"Fleet Antiterrorist Security Team"
[url]http://www.specialoperations.com/USMC/FAST/default.html[/url]

Posted: 3/19/2002 4:30:23 PM EDT

[#8]

Belay my last on FAST teams. I got them confused with the missions a MEU must qualify in to be considered Special Operations Capable.
(ie.Mobile Training Teams, Clandestine Recovery Operations and TRAP.)It's the TRAP mission I had the confusion on. Gimme a break it's been two years since I went through that training :).

Posted: 3/19/2002 4:38:28 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Belay my last on FAST teams. I got them confused with the missions a MEU must qualify in to be considered Special Operations Capable.
(ie.Mobile Training Teams, Clandestine Recovery Operations and TRAP.)It's the TRAP mission I had the confusion on. Gimme a break it's been two years since I went through that training :).

View Quote

[beer]

Posted: 3/19/2002 4:48:10 PM EDT

[#10]

Ya know MG, it really torques a squid when a jarhead is right. [;)]

BTW that website answered my questions on Army special forces, gracias.

Posted: 3/19/2002 7:01:34 PM EDT

[#11]

Can anyone offer up a list that addresses the topic of the post?

Posted: 3/19/2002 7:29:36 PM EDT

[#12]

I think I can help a little:

Rangers:

The Ranger School is open to all combat MOS's and most officer candidates. All who graduate wear the Ranger Tab, no matter what unit they are assigned to, over the unit patch, left shoulder.

Then, there is an actual Ranger Unit, the 75th Ranger Regiment, which has it's three combat battalions located in three seperate locations. Every member attends Ranger School (better sooner than later) and they wear the Ranger Tab over their unit patch, the Ranger Scroll, which indicates which "bat" they belong to.

A Ranger tabbed soldier in a regular unit is basically "the shit". It commands respect.

Special Forces units are very confusing to keep up with what each ODA does and is capable of, so I won't try to act like I know. Some are scuba specialist, some HALO, etc. All have different areas of the world that they specialize in.

As for Delta, well, they don't exist, now do they?

Posted: 3/19/2002 7:51:04 PM EDT

[#13]

Air Force:
Combat Controllers
Pararescue

Army:
Special Forces
Combat Applications Group (SFOD-D)

Navy:
SEAL Teams
Special Boat Units
DEVGRU

Marine Corps:
Battalion Recon
Force Recon

Posted: 3/19/2002 8:39:59 PM EDT

[#14]

Jarhead_22 - You forgot USN plane captains TAD to coop cleaning - very hush hush.......

Tate

Posted: 3/19/2002 8:56:34 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Jarhead_22 - You forgot USN plane captains TAD to coop cleaning - very hush hush.......

Tate

View Quote

That's right...they called you Agent Orange, didn't they? You went a lotta places, lotta places....

Posted: 3/19/2002 8:58:28 PM EDT

[#16]

Thanks Jarhead....best answer so far. I appreciate the input fellas.

Posted: 3/20/2002 1:38:37 AM EDT

[#17]

Here-> [url]www.specialoperations.com[/url]

Posted: 3/20/2002 4:30:02 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Air Force:
Combat Controllers
Pararescue

(160 SOAR Spec Ops pilots (they get everyone but the Marines where they are going))

Army:
(75th Ranger Regiment (3 BNs))
Special Forces
Combat Applications Group (SFOD-D)(aka Delta Force)

Navy:
SEAL Teams
Special Boat Units
DEVGRU (formerly SEAL Team Six)

Marine Corps:
Battalion Recon
Force Recon

View Quote

All the services also have a variety of smaller SpecOps units, SWAT teams, etc. that may, or may not meet the requirement for special operations troops.

Additionally the CIA has paramilitary units that are staffed by former Spec Ops troops. How active they are is a closely held secret as is their size, but that is presumed to be VERY small.

Posted: 3/20/2002 5:59:54 AM EDT

[#19]

Edits to jarheads list:

Air Force:
Combat Control Teams
Pararescue Teams (PJ's)
Combat Weather Teams

Army:
Special Forces
Combat Applications Group (SFOD-D) [i]<- actually the D is SF[/i]
Rangers
TF-160

Navy:
SEAL Teams [i]ST 7 was recently comissioned[/i]
SDV Teams [i]made up of SEALs[/i]
Special Boat Units [i]to be renamed Special Boat Teams[/i]

Marine Corps:
Battalion Recon
Force Recon

Additionally, there are other smaller groups that, rest assured, are going about their business.

-SARguy

Posted: 3/20/2002 6:35:24 AM EDT

[#20]

Thanks SARguy. By no means did I think I had the latest and greatest, just a start since no one else had even taken a stab at it.

Posted: 3/20/2002 8:56:08 AM EDT

[#21]

Jarhead,

No problem bro. [;)]

BTW: Did I hear that Force Batts. were going to be disbanded and the operators integrated into the floats as platoons?

-SARguy

Posted: 3/20/2002 9:18:47 AM EDT

[#22]

What is "TF-160"?

Posted: 3/20/2002 9:31:58 AM EDT

[#23]

If I am correct, no Marine units are assigned to SOCCOM. The Corps elected to opt out of having any Marines classified as Special Operations. While I know they are the best at what they do, they technically don't quality.

As far as Air Force, the rumor is that PJ's are moving into AFSOC so they too will officially qualify. Also, the gunships (AC-130's) are assigned to AFSOC.

Posted: 3/20/2002 7:00:14 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
What is "TF-160"?

View Quote

Task Force 160 - the Nightstalkers (Army Special Operations Aviation)

[url]http://www.nightstalkers.com[/url]

jarhead_22, you ever shoot at CTRP?

-SARguy

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Special Operations Question...Need Your Help

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