History of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Sixth Edition - Founding, Commanders, SEALS and Rangers, War on Terror, Saddam Capture, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom

The history of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is described in this unique Department of Defense document. It covers the full spectrum of SOCOM activities: founding, Congressional relations, Commanders, SEALS and Rangers, Global War on Terror, the capture of Saddam Hussein, the battle at Tora Bora, Operation Earnest Will (Persian Gulf), Operation Just Cause (Panama), Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Restore Hope (Somalia), Operation Support Democracy (Haiti), Operation Joint Endeavor (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Operation Allied Force (Kosovo), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and Operation Iraqi Freedom, unconventional warfare, and humanitarian and evacuation missions.

As the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) embarks on its third decade, America's Special Operations Forces (SOF) are in the midst of a time of unprecedented challenges and responsibilities. Since the command's establishment in 1987, SOF have supported conventional forces, conducted independent special operations around the world, and participated in all major combat operations. Our Special Operators have also carried out other missions ranging from non-combat evacuations to bilateral training missions. In executing all of these assignments, USSOCOM personnel have demonstrated daring, skill, maturity, and versatility. Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, SOF's capabilities have been, and will continue to be, broadly employed in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).

President George W. Bush designated USSOCOM as the lead for planning, synchronizing, and, as directed, conducting operations against terrorist networks. To discharge these responsibilities, USSOCOM's mission priorities are: deter, disrupt and defeat terrorist threats; develop and support our people and families; and sustain and modernize the force. Defeating an adaptive enemy requires the command to position our limited numbers of high demand SOF at the right places, at the right times, for the right missions. We are dedicated to pursuing two essential and intertwined approaches—direct and indirect—in order to disrupt violent extremist networks while positively affecting the environment that spawns the extremists. USSOCOM will continue to ensure the highest state of SOF readiness and make certain that the SOF Warrior remains the centerpiece of 21st century Special Operations.

The Congress mandated the creation of USSOCOM more than two decades ago, and over this time, our SOF Warriors have compiled an admirable record of success and achievement. Today's environment demands the skills of SOF more than ever. Our core tasks and adaptive personnel are uniquely suited to engage in Irregular Warfare and to counter our enemies. Today's SOF Warriors remain on point, armed with the exceptional support of the U.S. government and American people, facing all present and future challenges.