The U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR, pronounced “Sock-Yer”) is a subordinate unified command of United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM, pronounced So-Comm).
Based at Patch Barracks near Stuttgart, Germany, SOCEUR's function is to plan for use of Special Operations forces within EUCOM's area of responsibility, employ the forces, and assess whether they are achieving the desired results.[1] SOCEUR conducts these activities as part of the US effort to strengthen the military capabilities and security of partner nations in Europe and counter threats to the US and its European partners.[1]
SOCEUR's area of responsibility is based on EUCOM's.[3] It consists of 51 countries, and extends from Greenland to the European continent.[3] It includes all of Russia, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Caucasus region.[3]
Historyedit
In 1955, the US European Command established Support Operations Command Europe to provide planning and operational control for Special Operations forces in the EUCOM area of responsibility.[4] Later that year, EUCOM re-designated the new unit as Support Operations Task Force Europe (SOTFE).[4]
As part of the Goldwater-Nichols Act reforms, on May 30, 1986, SOCEUR was confirmed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a subordinate unified command of EUCOM and the EUCOM Special Operations Director took on the added role of SOCEUR commander [4]
^Vandiver, John (3 August 2020). "Special operations troops get a new boss in Stuttgart". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
^"Maj. Gen. (Select) Steven G. Edwards takes command of Special Operations Command Europe". DVIDS. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
Sourcesedit
Internetedit
Cunningham, Henry (May 15, 2003). "Special Forces gets new leader". The War at Home. SOCNET.com.
Cook, Pamela A. Q. "U.S. Special Operations Command Europe commander departs". EUCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: United States European Command. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
Sparks, Donald. "Special Operations Command Europe holds change of command". EUCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: United States European Command. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
Bender, Terry (January 20, 2013). "Generals who rose from the ranks of the 14th Infantry: Lieutenant General James Terry Scott". i-kirk.info. 14th Infantry Regiment Association.
Bailey, Daniel (January 28, 2014). "SOCEUR celebrates 59th Establishment Day". EUCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: United States European Command.
Patterson, William (June 8, 2016). "Special Operations Command Europe Changes Leadership". SOCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: Special Operations Command Europe.
"Our Forces: U.S. Special Operations Command Europe". EUCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: United States European Command. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
Newsedit
Atlas, Terry (April 10, 1996). "Evacuation of Americans Begins". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL.
"In Uniform: Geoffrey C. Lambert". The Daily Press. Newport News, VA. November 7, 1996.
Horn, Lisa (August 26, 2003). "Csrnko takes SOCEUR helm". Stars and Stripes. Washington, DC.
"SOCEUR welcomes Webb as new commander". Stuttgart Citizen. Panzer Kaserne, Germany. August 7, 2013.
Vandiver, John (June 8, 2016). "US special operators in Europe get new boss". Stars and Stripes. Washington, DC.
Rhodes, Terrance (June 12, 2018). "US Special Operations Command Europe welcomes new commander". SOCOM.mil. MacDill Air Force Base, FL.
Magazinesedit
"Profile, Joseph Keith Kellogg, Jr". Intelligence Online. Paris, France: Indigo Publications. October 21, 1992.
Bobick, Julia (September 1, 2002). "USAREC welcomes and farewells the Deputy Commanding General". The Recruiter Journal. Washington, DC: Department of the Army.
Booksedit
Schwartz, Norty (2018). Journey: Memoirs of an Air Force Chief of Staff. New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1-5107-1034-4.
Special Operations Association (2006). Special Operations Association. Nashville, TN: Turner Publishing Company. ISBN 978-1-59652-156-8.