What do Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Green Berets, and Marine Raiders have in common?
They all operate under the umbrella of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
And do you know why USSOCOM was formed?
Because in 1980, a mission called Operation Eagle Claw failed to rescue 52 American hostages in Iran.
The resulting tragedy highlighted several coordination flaws within and across the U.S. military branches, leading to a restructuring of the Special Operations Forces (SOFs).
Responding to the need for a unified command to avoid similar mistakes, the United States Department of Defense officially activated USSOCOM on this day in 1987.
Its mission was clear: to prevent the recurrence of oversights like those during Operation Eagle Claw, such as poor operational planning and flawed command structures.
By integrating the SOFs from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines under a single four-star command, USSOCOM was empowered to enhance mission coordination and execution.
Today, USSOCOM directs these elite combat teams, substantially increasing their ability to jointly plan, coordinate, and execute complex global operations against terrorist networks.
Core activities include counterterrorism, special reconnaissance, direct action, psychological warfare, and information warfare—all strategically designed to disrupt enemy operations.
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