USSOCOM

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” May we always live worthy of their sacrifice, honor their memory, and never forget the brave Americans who paid the ultimate price.

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Excellence was recognized and legacy was honored 🏆 U.S. SOCOM hosted its annual awards ceremony during #SOFWeek2026 with SEAC (Ret.) Ramón Colón-López as keynote speaker. The Bull Simons Award was presented to Captain (Ret.) Frank K. Butler, honoring those who embody the spirit, values, and skills of the Special Operations Warrior. The Service Member of the Year was awarded to a MARSOC Raider after 13 elite competitors from across the SOF community completed four days of demanding challenges including ruck marches, weapons handling, tactical navigation, and combat medicine. Congratulations to all who were recognized. Keep pushing forward and keep the tip of the spear sharp. ♠️

🎂 Happy birthday AFSOC! For the past 36 years, Air Force Special Operations Command has played a pivotal role in advancing specialized airpower across the world’s most demanding environments. Showcasing the adaptability, precision, readiness, and lethality that define the Air Commando legacy. We are thankful for all you do to keep the tip of the spear sharp. ♠️

SOF Week 2026 Keynote: Guiding Special Operations Forward ASW(SO/LIC) Honorable Derrick Anderson shares a vision for a modern SOF enterprise. One that thrives on connection, adapts to a rapidly changing world, and delivers decisive effects across every domain. By empowering people, fostering innovation, advancing agile policies, building strong partnerships, and ensuring prudent stewardship, SOF is positioned to create asymmetric advantages and multi-domain impact. Together with industry, government, and global allies, the community is committed to meeting today’s complex threats and shaping a resilient, ready force for the future. #SOFWeek2026 #SpecialOperations #ASW

Panel 4: Optimizing the Human Weapon System ♠️ This discussion brought together leaders from across the SOF Enterprise to examine how the modern battlefield demands a more integrated and data-driven approach to human performance. As warfare becomes increasingly cognitive and hyper-connected, the panel emphasized that humans remain more important than hardware in maintaining operational advantage. The conversation explored proactive strategies to optimize the human weapon system — enhancing operator readiness, resilience, and peak performance while also recognizing the critical role of the family unit that sustains the force behind the mission. Panelists: Mr. Carlton Griffin (Principal Deputy ASW SO/LIC), Major General (Ret.) Clay Hutmacher (Advisor, Prime Technologies), Colonel Amanda Robbins (USSOCOM Command Psychologist, Ms. Amy Elizardo, M.Ed (Senior Advisor, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), Mr. Tyler Van Hook (Chief Strategy Officer, Kognitiv Edge) #SOFWeek2026 #USSOCOM #SpecialOperations 🎯🇺🇸

Capabilities Demonstration 🚁🚤 “Battle in the Bay,” hit @CityofTampa with a full-spectrum display of special operations power across sea, air, and land. Ten allied nations came together in a synchronized, high-tempo operational showcase. Rotary-wing aircraft carved through the skies while unmanned systems and special operations craft-riverine cut across the water in coordinated execution. From horizon to waterfront, SOF showcased speed, precision, and interoperability. Proving what it takes to be the tip of the spear ♠️ #SOFWeek2026 #CAPEDEMO

Snapshots of the Day 📸 ♠️ Panels throughout the day explored the power of global SOF partnerships and the evolving role of lethal AI and autonomous systems in maintaining the asymmetric edge in modern conflict. ♠️ The Cape Demo brought high-speed SOF capabilities and joint-force precision to the Tampa waterfront. ♠️ SWEAT delivered a high-energy test of endurance, teamwork, and grit—showcasing the resilience and readiness of the Special Operations community. ♠️ Opportunities to engage in meaningful connections with industry partners, military leaders, and innovators. #SOFWeek2026 #Recap #WinPeopleTransform

📍 Tampa, Florida #SOFWeek2026, Gen. Francis L. Donovan and U.S. Special Operations Command South convened a Western Hemisphere discussion with special operations leaders and partners from Brazil, Peru, Jamaica, El Salvador, Paraguay, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guyana, Panama, and Colombia to strengthen regional cooperation and address shared security challenges across the AOR. Leveraging his extensive background in reconnaissance and special operations leadership, Donovan engaged directly with partner nation SOF leaders to exchange perspectives, listen to regional concerns, and discuss collaborative approaches to addressing evolving threats across the hemisphere. #SOFWeek #USSOUTHCOM #SOCSOUTH #SpecialOperations #Partnerships #WesternHemisphere #Interoperability #SecurityCooperation

Panel 3: The Asymmetric Edge: Lethal AI & Autonomy in Special Operations ♠️ This session brought together Department of War leadership and industry partners to discuss the integration of AI and autonomous systems into the Special Operations enterprise. Their panel  focused on scaling autonomous capabilities, strengthening the defense industrial base, and leveraging data as a decisive weapon system in modern conflict. From research and engineering to strategic investment in supply chains, the discussion highlighted how the U.S. continues to compete and lead in the era of software-defined warfare. Panelists: Ms. Lauren Bedula (Managing Director, Beacon Global Strategies), The Honorable Emil Michael (Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering and Chief Technology Officer), Ms. Tara Murphy Dougherty (CEO, Govini), Mr. Peter Tague (Managing Partner, US Innovative Technology) #SOFWeek2026 #AI #AutonomousSystems #DefenseInnovation 🤖⚡️

Panel 2: Strong SOF Partnerships, Stronger Alliances ♠️ This discussion brought together SOF commanders from across the globe to examine how alliances are evolving from coordination to operational integration, and how empowered SOF NCOs create an asymmetric advantage through decentralized leadership and adaptability. From the Pacific to the Middle East and Africa, the focus remains on readiness, interoperability and trust as the foundation for mission success. Panelists: Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman David L. Isom, Major General Jasper Jeffers III (SOCCENT Commander), Major General Ferdinand B. Napuli (SOCOM AFP Commander), Major General Claude K. Tudor (SOCAF Commander), Brigadier General Rickard Johansson (SOCOM Sweden Commander) #SOFWeek2026 #GlobalSOF #SpecialOperations #CollectiveReadiness 🌎

SOF Week 2026 Keynote: Interoperability and Integration Rapid innovation, a diverse acquisition ecosystem, and powerful partnerships are reshaping the battlefield. USSOCOM Acquisition Executive, Ms. Melissa Johnson shares how SOF is harnessing autonomous systems, AI, and operator-driven feedback to build a faster, smarter, and more resilient force—ready to quickly deliver and meet the challenges of tomorrow head-on. #SOFWeek2026 #Innovation #DefenseTech

Snapshots of the Day 📸 ♠️ Official SOF Week Kickoff with the Mayor of @CityofTampa . ♠️ Keynotes from USSOCOM’s Commander, CSM and Acquisition Executive. ♠️ Panel discussions on SOF integrations with the Joint Force ♠️ Student Day welcomed the next generation of leaders for a firsthand look at innovation, partnership, and opportunities across the Special Operations enterprise. #SOFWeek2026 #Recap #WinPeopleTransform

Panel 1: SOF Integration with the Joint Force ♠️ Today’s discussion focused on the future of Special Operations in a contested, multi-domain environment — emphasizing synchronization across the Joint Force, shared accountability, and strengthening mission readiness through deliberate coordination. Panelists: Mr. Peter Bergen, General Francis L. Donovan (SOUTHCOM Commander), General Gregory M. Guillot (NORTHCOM Commander), Admiral Mitch Bradley (SOCOM Commander) #SOFWeek2026 #USSOCOM #JointForce #GlobalSOF 🇺🇸🤝

SOF Week 2026 Keynote: Forging Global Strength Through Partnership and Innovation ♠️ Today, ADM Bradley and CSM Krogman shared opening remarks, spotlighting how SOF is leading the way in a rapidly changing world. Through building resilient alliances, deepening integration with the Joint Force, and driving innovation from problem to prototype. By empowering people, embracing new technologies, and fostering a culture of collaboration and adaptability, the SOF community is flipping the equation on the modern battlefield. Together with industry, partners, and families, SOF is creating a network of strength ready to meet today’s challenges and shape tomorrow’s security. #SOFWeek2026 #SpecialOperations #USSOCOM

Ahead of SOF Week coming to Tampa, the @RaysBaseball welcomed and honored the Para-Commandos during today's Military Appreciation Game! From the field to the community, tonight celebrated the partnership between those who serve and the hometown that stands behind them. 🇺🇸♠️ A special thank you to the Rays for recognizing our service members and supporting the military community. ⚾️

America’s strength starts with its warfighters. This Military Appreciation Month, we honor the service and sacrifice of the millions of patriots that defend our nation.

Clearing rooms as one 🇵🇭🇺🇸 U.S. Green Berets with 1st Special Forces Group and Philippine special operators conduct close-quarters battle training during Exercise Balikatan 2026, April 28. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. 📍 Fort Magsaysay, Philippines 📸 U.S. Army Sgt. John Bae #Balikatan | #BK26 | #ShoulderToShoulder |#StrongerTogether | #friendsalliespartners (courtesy of U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific)

Anywhere. Anytime. Undetected.⚡️🇺🇸 Green Berets from 2nd Bn, 10th SFG (A) took part in Exercise Deep Strike in Germany. SOF maintains an advantage by navigating terrain and simulating drone strikes. #AlwaysTraining @HohenfelsJMRC | @USSOCOM | @NATO | @NATO_SOF | @7thATC |