Joint Special Operations Command

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Joint Special Operations Command


caption= Emblem of the Joint Special Operations Command
dates= December 15, 1980
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= USSOCOM
type= Counter-terrorism
role=
size=
command_structure=
current_commander= VADM William H. McRaven
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= JSOC
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=Operation Urgent Fury
Operation Just Cause
Operation Acid Gambit
Operation Gothic Serpent
Battle of Mogadishu

The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) is a component command of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and is charged to study special operations requirements and techniques to ensure interoperability and equipment standardization, plan and conduct special operations exercises and training, and develop Joint Special Operations Tactics. It was established on December 15, 1980, in the aftermath of the failure of Operation Eagle Claw, the unsuccessful attempt to rescue the 53 hostages from the American embassy in Tehran, Iran [Steven Emerson, "Secret Warriors", p.26 (see Bibliography for complete references of the books)] . It is located at Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg in North Carolina, USA.

Overview

The JSOC is the "joint headquarters designed to study special operations requirements and techniques; ensure interoperability and equipment standardization; plan and conduct joint special operations exercises and training; and develop joint special operations tactics" [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/dod/jsoc.htm GlobalSecurity.org] ] . For this task, the Joint Communications Unit (JCU) is tasked to ensure compatibility of communications systems and standard operating procedures of the different special operations units.

In January 2005, a small group of commandos deployed to support security at the Presidential inauguration. They were allegedly, deployed under a secret counterterrorism program named Power Geyser.

List of JSOC commanders

See also

*USSOCOM
*Operation Gothic Serpent ; Operation Enduring Freedom

Bibliography

* Steven Emerson, "Secret Warriors: Inside the Covert Military Operations of the Reagan Era", G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1988. ISBN 0-399-13360-7
* Michael Smith, " [http://www.michaelsmithwriter.com/books_special.html Killer Elite: The Inside Story of America's Most Secret Special Operations Team] ", Cassell, London, 2006. ISBN 0-3043-6727-3

References

External links

*http://www.socnetcentral.com/vb
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/dod/jsoc.htm Joint Special Operations Command] , at [http://www.globalsecurity.org Globalsecurity.org]
* [http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030609-122701-9940r.htm Special Ops say lives were on line in Lynch's rescue] , by The Washington Times
* [http://www.global-defence.com/2003/freedom.htm US special operations come of age] , by [http://www.global-defence.com Global Defence Review]