In Fort Liberty, North Carolina, U.S. special operations commanders are facing the challenge of adding high-tech experts to their teams while reducing their overall forces by 5,000 troops over the next five years. This restructuring comes as a response to lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, with a focus on incorporating more specialized and technical abilities within their commando teams.
The U.S. Army Special Operations Command is considering increasing the size of its Green Beret teams to include computer software experts who can reprogram drones and other technical equipment on the field. These changes are being influenced by the experiences of British special operations forces in Ukraine, where they learned the importance of collaborating with Royal Air Force pilots and Navy teams for drone operations and navigation in the Black Sea.
The Army’s decision to reduce the size of its force and shift focus from counterterrorism to large-scale combat operations has led to the restructuring of its special operations forces, including cuts in slots that are already open. The commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, Gen. Bryan Fenton, emphasizes the need for adaptability and the incorporation of technology, robotics, and signals intelligence in training.
As the military services undergo these changes, the goal is to enhance the effectiveness of special operations forces in response to evolving threats and battlefield challenges. The balancing act of adding technical expertise while downsizing forces highlights the need for innovation and flexibility in preparing for future missions.
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