Free Republic

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 27, 2011) — The United States Army Special Operations Command paid tribute to fallen comrades killed in combat during the past year with a somber ceremony at Meadows Memorial Plaza, May 26. The ceremony was the culmination of a full day all-star treatment for the Gold Star families of 30 Army Special Operation Soldiers killed during combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland Jr., Commanding General, USASOC, addressed an audience of more than 500 fellow Soldiers, family members, friends and special guests. “We are here to honor a...

USASOC reorganizes, welcomes new commander By Sgt. Joe Healy December 8, 2005 FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Army News Service, Dec. 8, 2005) —The U.S. Army Special Operations Command said farewell to the commander who led its transformation to a 21st Century fighting force, and welcomed his successor in a ceremony at Meadows Memorial Field Dec. 6. Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner assumed command of USASOC from Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger Jr. Just a few days earlier, Kensinger’s transformation culminated with deactivation of two commands and standup of a new brigade and battalion. Sustainment Bde, Troops Bn activate The Special Operations...

CALGARY, Alberta (Army News Service, Aug. 14, 2005) — About 100 Canadian and American World War II veterans of a joint special operations unit received Combat Infantryman Badges Aug. 12. The veterans had been assigned to the First Special Service Force, a one-of-a-kind unit of both Americans and Canadians that fought side-by-side in the Aleutians, France and Italy during the early 1940s. Its members, now in their 80s and 90s, celebrated their 59th annual reunion Aug. 12-14 in Calgary. A formal awards ceremony culminated the two-day celebration as Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger Jr., commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Command,...

General Wayne Downing served in a variety of command assignments in infantry, armored, special operations, and joint units, culminating in his appointment as the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Special Operations Command. He served two combat tours in Vietnam as a junior infantry officer. As a general officer, Wayne Downing commanded the special operations of all services during the 1989 invasion of Panama and commanded a joint special operations task force operating deep behind the Iraqi lines during Operation DESERT STORM. Following retirement, General Wayne Downing was appointed by the President to assess the 1996 terrorist attack on the U.S....