This is the authority on special forces, ideal for any level of military enthusiast. So if you want to know about special forces weapons or transport or even their elite use of surveillance equipment including human presence sensors then this is the kit you need.

This volume undertakes a systematic analysis of the relationship between Special Forces and contemporary strategy, explaining the resurgence of interest in Special Forces, particularly in the West, by exploring their appeal over traditional conventional force options in the current ‘War on Terror’. Special Forces, Terrorism and Strategy comprises four overarching themes: theory and practice command and control culture and technology operations and the ‘War on Terror’. By developing a credible theory about the role of Special Forces in contemporary strategy, Alastair Finlan assesses the changing character of the relationship between conventional forces and Special Forces, illustrating the prominent role of these forces in the ‘War on Terror’. This book will be of great interest to students of strategic studies and military history, as well as for professional military colleges.

This volume undertakes a systematic analysis of the relationship between Special Forces and contemporary strategy, explaining the resurgence of interest in Special Forces, particularly in the West, by exploring their appeal over traditional conventional force options in the current ‘War on Terror’. Special Forces, Terrorism and Strategy comprises four overarching themes: theory and practice command and control culture and technology operations and the ‘War on Terror’. By developing a credible theory about the role of Special Forces in contemporary strategy, Alastair Finlan assesses the changing character of the relationship between conventional forces and Special Forces, illustrating the prominent role of these forces in the ‘War on Terror’. This book will be of great interest to students of strategic studies and military history, as well as for professional military colleges.

A compendium on today's American fighting forces profiles the SOFs, or Special Operations Forces, tracing its creation in the mid-1980s to consist of special units from other military branches and describing its sophisticated training, technical equipment use, and missions. Original.

From covert actions against insurgent groups and daring sabotage missions to precision strikes against fortified positions and reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines, the special forces units deployed by many nations are the spearhead of modern combat operations. Classified, the latest companion volume for Force on Force, allows wargamers to recreate any and all of them. With detailed background information, extensive orders of battle for the world's preeminent special forces units, and a range of scenarios, Classified gives Force on Force players a detailed and realistic experience of modern special operations missions across the globe.

They are sent to the world's hot spots-on covert missions fraught with danger. They are called on to perform at the peak of their physical and mental capabilities, primed for combat and surveillance, yet ready to pitch in with disaster relief operations. They are the Army's Special Forces Groups. Now follow Tom Clancy as he delves into the training and tools, missions and mindset of these elite operatives. Special Forces includes: The making of Special Forces personnel: recruitment and training A rare look at actual Special Forces Group deployment Exercises Tools of the trade: weapons, communications and sensor equipment, survival gear Roles and missions: a mini-novel illustrates a probable scenario of Special Forces intervention Exclusive photographs, illustrations and diagrams Plus: an interview with General Hugh Shelton, USA, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (and the former Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Special Operations Command-USSOCOM)

A comprehensive guide to counterterrorism units around the world, and their recruitment, training, weapons, equipment, tactics, and missions. In the past thirty-five years, counterterrorist units have been deployed to deal with airplane, ship, train, and bus hijackings. They have rescued hostages in various types of buildings and have dealt with barricaded bank robbers, prison rioters, and assorted dangerous criminals. Thousands have been rescued and millions have been safer because terrorists were aware that elite antiterrorist units were poised to act should they take hostages. Following the September 11th attack on the World Trade Centre, the mission of many anti-terrorist units has expanded. Some units now track terrorists to their lairs in other countries and strike them there. Despite the significant and growing role of these units, little is known about the way they operate. The selection, training, structure, and principles of maintaining such units, together with basic theories of asymmetric warfare are the subject of Thompson’s latest work. In a practical, step-by-step guide he analyses the necessary organization of such elite teams, the arming and equipping of units, and methods for a variety of missions from hostage rescue and high-level dignitary protection to securing foreign embassies and counter–WMD strikes. Open the pages of this book and enter the world of the counterterrorist operator. Praise for The Counter Terrorist Manual “A finely illustrated guidebook to antiterrorist units deployed to handle airplane, ship, train and bus hijackings. Units around the world are examined in a survey of these elite antiterrorist units and their operations, a pick for any military library and packed with color photos of equipment and more.” —Midwest Book Review