U.S. in danger of burning out its special forces

[Zarvan]

The ambush that killed four soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Special Forces in Niger should spur needed debate over whether the United States is stretching its special forces too thin overseas.

As part of that discussion, our military and political leaders should make all changes necessary to ensure such operations receive adequate support in the field. The Niger incident raises serious concerns, and it’s imperative to conduct a thorough investigation and share information with lawmakers and the public.



A 2016 conference in Washington, D.C., focusing on global operations of U.S. special forces pointed to their stepped-up operational commitment and warned that “continuing at the current pace of deployments risks burning out the force.”

The Pentagon is placing even greater emphasis on special forces this year under a directive from President Donald Trump. In Africa, the U.S. Special Operations Command is currently operating in 20 countries. U.S. personnel provide military training in numerous African nations and operate a large military base in the country of Djibouti.

U.S. personnel also aid in direct military operations. In Somalia last year, a major U.S. airstrike killed 150 fighters with the terrorist group al-Shabab. In 2014 a U.S. air attack killed the then-leader of the organization.

Al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaida, remains a potent force. This month it detonated two truck bombs in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, killing more than 300.



Our special forces are a major military instrument, but are we overextending them?

That should be a topic for significant discussion by our leaders in Washington, including members of the Midlands congressional delegation involved in national security policy.

https://special-ops.org/op-edge/u-s-danger-burning-special-forces/