Special Operations Forces

Definition/Scope: Those active and reserve component forces of the military Services designated by the Secretary of Defense and specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. A special operations liaison team provided by the joint force special operations component commander to the joint force air component commander (if designated), or appropriate Service component air command and control organization, to coordinate, deconflict, and integrate special operations air, surface, and subsurface operations with conventional air operations.

Use:

Special Forces Operational Detachment A
Special Forces Operational Detachment B

Used For:

special forces

Acronym:

SOF

Broader Terms:

military forces

Narrower Terms:

Air Force special operations forces
Army special forces
civil affairs
civil affairs activities
civil affairs operations
Civil Military Operation
ground intelligence
High-Value Target Operations
Improved Remotely Monitored Battlefield Sensor System
Joint Special Operations Task Force
Naval special warfare forces
Special Forces Assessment and Selection
Special Forces Qualification Course
special operations aviation groups
special operations aviation regiments
Special Operations Wing
unconventional warfare forces

Related Terms:

10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Army Special Operations Command
Coalition Support Teams
conventional forces
Joint Integration and Interoperability of Special Operations
SOF teams
Special Operations Command
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