SOCOM - Special Operations Command
United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), otherwise known as SOCOM, is a US military command that oversees the Special Operations components of the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
SOCOM was established following the disastrous attempt by Delta Force to rescue Americans held hostage in Iran in 1980. One of the issues that contributed to the debacle in Iran was the lack of interoperability, communication and co-ordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force. SOCOM was activated in April 1987. SOCOM oversees any special operations involving elements from multiple services. JSOC, a joint command which is focused on counter terrorism, was established in December 1980 and was later brought in under the umbrella of SOCOM.
USSOCOM has its HQ MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida.
USSOCOM - Components
USSOCOM has the following units under its umbrella:
- United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)
- Special Forces
- 75th Ranger Regiment
- Army Special Operations Aviation Command (ARSOAC)
- 4th Psychological Operations Group
- 95th Civil Affairs Brigade
- Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne)
- John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center
- United States Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW)
- United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)
- Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
- Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)
SOCOM Resources
- United States Special Operations Command - Component Commands
(official SOCOM web site)
