The news is never easy.  I’m never ready for it, although I probably should be considering the business we’re in.  The loss of one member of the special operations team is extremely tough to bear.  The loss of five within a ten-day period is particularly tough.

Despite the fact that the business we conduct is a dangerous one in a dangerous world, fighting dangerous people, I’m always saddened at the news of a loss to the special operations team.  I take it personally, as does the entire special operations community.  With each notification I hold my breath in nervous anticipation, hoping the names don’t hit too close to home.  Unfortunately, they have, more than I care to admit.  Seeing the name of a special operations warrior is hard enough.  But when it’s someone from the same command or personally known, it’s damn near unbearable.     

The losses are real people with real lives and real families... 

Photo Courtesy of us.army.mil

Lt Col. John Darin Loftis

Captain Ryan Hall 

Captain Nicholas Whitlock

1Lt Justin Wilkins

Senior Airman Julian Scholten

With the exception of Lt. Col. Loftis, 44, all were 30 years old…or younger.  All were selflessly serving their country so the rest of us can live in relative peace.  All were conducting operations designed to rid the world of hate, discord, and terror. 

Lt. Col. “JD” Loftis was working with the Afghan people in a special program designed to foster and enhance community relations.  He spoke the language and was generally well-accepted by the Afghan community.  He was doing good things for the local people with an objective to help them.  He was well-regarded.  So much so that he received the honor of a local name that translated to him being a “quality human being.” (AF Public Affairs) 

JD was working in a secure compound when a so-called trusted Pakistani junior officer reportedly walked into his office and shot him in the head out of “retaliation for what U.S. officials called an inadvertent burning of Qurans at Bagram Air Base north of Kabul.” (CNN)  There is a 25-year-old Pakistani suspect in custody.

It is an outrage to think that our forces cannot be shielded from the grave dangers of assassination even inside what is deemed to be a “secure” compound.  What is even more of an outrage is how quick our esteemed President was to apologize for yet another American transgression related to the Quran burning, yet, we have heard nothing from him regarding any demands for an apology for the senseless assassination of an American Warrior representing the very country he presides over.  Where is the apology demand now, Mr. President?  Why the silence?  Where’s the outrage? 

All of these losses, along with that of US Army Sergeant and local NW Florida resident, Joshua Born, have rocked the NW Florida community and serves as a stark reminder of the cold sober reality of the world in which we now live. 

Your All American Warriors continue to stand proudly against the oppressive forces of tyranny and ask little in return beyond the support of the American people.  Their sacrifices and those of their families deserve our undying gratitude and overwhelming support.  Show that support by defending the values we imbue as a free nation.  Respect the flag of the United States of America.  Stand tall during the national anthem.  Thank a service member in uniform when you see one.  Say thank you to those who have served.  And never forget those who have given all to preserve the American ideals and very freedoms we all too often take for granted.

May God bless you and yours.  And may God bless the All American Warrior!

- G -

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Somewhere over an obscure, precisely pre-determined location, operating under the cloak of darkness, is a highly-trained, highly-specialized, special operations operative.  Some are called Commandos, some Rangers, others are MARSOC (US Marines), US Army Delta or Navy SEALs.  Every one of these lethal warriors operate under the overall direction of the United States Special Operations Command, or USSOCOM. 

I have the distinct privilege of working in a division of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) that brings me into daily contact with some of the finest people I have ever met.  As America's quiet warriors, these Air Commandos rotate in and out of several countries throughout the world in support of SOCOM missions and directives that facilitate peace, preserve life, and promote human dignity among all mankind.  Their job is not easy and isn't always pleasant by any stretch of the imagination.  Oftentimes, they're called upon to support objectives that place their own lives in the balance of delicacy.  Yet, they go forth willingly, courageously accepting the risks that inevitably come with the call of duty.

So it goes, as we sleep peacefully at night, secure in our homes in still one the freest nations on earth, our quiet warriors are in some 120 countries around the world conducting operations as diverse as the mind of man can conceive...and beyond.  They do it for reasons as varied and unique as each individual is from one another.  But the common thread connecting them all is their love of America and the principles we imbue as a free nation.

Every warrior has a story to tell.  I'm reminded of the recent hostage rescue by our beloved Navy SEALs in western Somalia on the eve of the Presidential State of the Union address.  The same SEAL team (SEAL Team 6) that eliminated Bin Laden under the direction and watchful eyes of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Brigadier General Brad Webb sitting front and center at a computer terminal, with the President and members of the cabinet looking on.  This same team of courageous warriors (may or may not have been some of the same members), conducted the rescue of American Jessica Buchanan and and Dane Poul Hagen.  

The SEALs reportedly parachuted from a USAF special operations aircraft, maneuvered to their objective on foot, and found the two hostages, kidnapped in Somalia last fall.  I can only imagine the look of terror on the faces of the kidnappers when they were confronted by the world's most lethal forces. 

There are many stories that surround the good work of our Special Operations Forces (SOF).  If you have a story you'd like to share, drop me a line or leave a comment.  If you enjoyed this article, share it with a friend.  Tell them that, despite the fiscal cutbacks in our government, there will always be a SOF presence somewhere on this globe of ours protecting the very freedoms we hold dear. 

Sleep well, for America's quiet warriors are standing watch!

- G -