Books & more: US special forces in action

Special forces are the spearhead of modern armies. And the United States has even created its own command for the Special Operations Forces (SOF) - USSOCOM - essentially establishing its own branch that exists alongside the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, encompassing all the special forces of the other branches. Kaj-Gunnar Sievert provides insights into the practice of these special forces: in his book "Everywhere and Anytime," he showcases the "US Special Forces in Action." Coming from a military background - he was the commander of the Paratroop Reconnaissance Company 17, the special unit of the Swiss Army (about which he wrote the excellent book that was introduced HERE) - his depiction of the missions of US special forces goes into great depth. He describes and analyzes case studies: from the sinking of General Noriega's boat in Panama, to the hunt for Saddam Hussein's sons, to Operation Neptune's Spear, which ended with the death of Osama Bin Laden, from the use of PJs in a storm in the Atlantic, the rescue of a downed aircraft crew in the Iraq war, to the use of AC-130 Gunships, he meticulously presents a wide range of missions. The cases are described with military precision, detailed analysis. Not a book for casual readers, but definitely one for those who want to know how special forces operate in the real world.

“Everywhere and Anytime - US Special Forces in Action“ by Kaj-Gunnar Sievert, Publisher E.S. Mittler & Sohn, 2012, 200 pages, Euro 29.90.