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Special Operations Command Europe

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Special Operations Command Europe
U.S. SOCEUR Combat Service Identification Badge
Active1986–present
CountryUnited States
BranchJoint service
TypeSpecial Operations
RolePlanning and oversight of Special Forces in US European Command’s area of responsibility
Part ofUSSOCOM
Garrison/HQPatch Barracks, Germany
Motto(s)Semper Preparate (Always Prepared)
Commanders
CommanderLTG Richard E. Angle

The U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR, pronounced "Sock-Yer") is a subordinate unified command of United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM, pronounced So-Comm).

Function

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SOCEUR's Distinctive Unit Insignia

Based at Patch Barracks near Stuttgart, Germany, SOCEUR's function is to plan for use of Special Operations forces within EUCOM's area of responsibility, employ the forces, and assess whether they are achieving the desired results.[1] SOCEUR conducts these activities as part of the US effort to strengthen the military capabilities and security of partner nations in Europe and counter threats to the US and its European partners.[1]

Components

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Beret flash for US Army members of SOCEUR

Forces of the United States Special Operations Command for which SOCEUR is responsible include: 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Naval Special Warfare Unit 2; 352d Special Operations Wing; and the SOCEUR Signal Detachment.[2]

Geographic focus

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SOCEUR seal

SOCEUR's area of responsibility is based on EUCOM's.[1] It consists of 51 countries, and extends from Greenland to the European continent.[1] It includes all of Russia, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Caucasus region.[1]

History

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In 1955, the US European Command established Support Operations Command Europe to provide planning and operational control for Special Operations forces in the EUCOM area of responsibility.[3] Later that year, EUCOM re-designated the new unit as Support Operations Task Force Europe (SOTFE).[3]

When France withdrew from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1967, SOTFE moved from its headquarters in Paris to Panzer Kaserne near Stuttgart, West Germany.[4] In 1968, SOTFE moved to Patch Barracks.[3]

As part of the Goldwater-Nichols Act reforms, on May 30, 1986, SOCEUR was confirmed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a subordinate unified command of EUCOM and the EUCOM Special Operations Director took on the added role of SOCEUR commander [3]

Originally focused on containment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the Cold War, after the Warsaw Pact ended in 1991 SOCEUR's focus shifted to other European countries, Africa and the Middle East.[3] Since then, SOCEUR and its components have taken part in special operations during Operations Desert Storm, Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II.[3] In addition, prior to the creation of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Special Operations Command Africa, SOCEUR took part in activities in Africa to include Silver Anvil (Sierra Leone) and Atlas Response (Mozambique).[3] SOCEUR also participated in operations in the Balkans, including Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, Allied Force, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.[3]

Commanders

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Commanders of Special Operations Command Europe since its establishment as a EUCOM subordinate unified command include:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Our Forces: U.S. Special Operations Command Europe".
  2. ^ "Special Operations Command Europe Changes Leadership".
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "SOCEUR celebrates 59th Establishment Day".
  4. ^ "SOCEUR celebrates 59th Establishment Day”.
  5. ^ "Generals who rose from the ranks of the 14th Infantry".
  6. ^ Journey: Memoirs of an Air Force Chief of Staff, p. 216.
  7. ^ "Profile, Joseph Keith Kellogg, Jr.".
  8. ^ "Evacuation of Americans Begins".
  9. ^ "In Uniform: Geoffrey C. Lambert".
  10. ^ Special Operations Association, p. 113.
  11. ^ "USAREC welcomes and farewells the Deputy Commanding General".
  12. ^ "Special Forces gets new leader".
  13. ^ "Csrnko takes SOCEUR helm".
  14. ^ a b "U.S. Special Operations Command Europe commander departs".
  15. ^ "Special Operations Command Europe holds change of command".
  16. ^ a b "SOCEUR welcomes Webb as new commander".
  17. ^ "US special operators in Europe get new boss".
  18. ^ a b "US Special Operations Command Europe welcomes new commander".
  19. ^ "Special operations troops get a new boss in Stuttgart".
  20. ^ "Maj. Gen. (Select) Steven G. Edwards takes command of Special Operations Command Europe".
  21. ^ "Brig. Gen. Joseph G. Lock takes command of Special Operations Command Europe".
  22. ^ "Allied Special Operations Forces Command Holds Change of Command Ceremony".

Sources

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Internet

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  • Cunningham, Henry (May 15, 2003). "Special Forces gets new leader". The War at Home. SOCNET.com.
  • Cook, Pamela A. Q. "U.S. Special Operations Command Europe commander departs". EUCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: United States European Command. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  • Sparks, Donald. "Special Operations Command Europe holds change of command". EUCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: United States European Command. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  • Bender, Terry (January 20, 2013). "Generals who rose from the ranks of the 14th Infantry: Lieutenant General James Terry Scott". i-kirk.info. 14th Infantry Regiment Association.
  • Bailey, Daniel (January 28, 2014). "SOCEUR celebrates 59th Establishment Day". EUCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: United States European Command.
  • Patterson, William (June 8, 2016). "Special Operations Command Europe Changes Leadership". SOCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: Special Operations Command Europe.
  • "Our Forces: U.S. Special Operations Command Europe". EUCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: United States European Command. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  • Vandiver, John (3 August 2020). "Special operations troops get a new boss in Stuttgart". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  • "Maj. Gen. (Select) Steven G. Edwards takes command of Special Operations Command Europe". DVIDS. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  • "Brig. Gen. Joseph G. Lock takes command of Special Operations Command Europe". DVIDS. 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-10-04.

News

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Magazines

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Books

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