International Special Operations Forces Week 2012

Photo illustration by Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelita Lawrence.

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By Air Force Maj. Kelley Jeter USSOCOM Public Affairs

Photo by Marine Corps Master Sgt. F. B. Zimmerman.

USSOCOM hosted the 2012 International Special Operations Forces Week conference at the Tampa Convention Center May 22-24. With Special Operations Forces (SOF) leadership from over 90 nations in attendance at the three-day conference, Admiral Bill H. McRaven emphasized the importance of international SOF partnership, while attendees discussed the challenges and possible solutions unique to their individual regions.

In addition to the ISOF conference, that same week the Tampa Convention Center was also the center of activity for the annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, or SOFIC. This annual

conference brings military SOF leadership together with hundreds of vendors in the defense industry who create products and services specially designed for special operators in the field and in battle. SOF military leadership got the opportunity in this forum to talk to industry representatives about what they need to accomplish their missions.

Two of the highlights of the ISOF and SOFIC conferences were the gala dinner and the SOF capabilities demonstration.

The dinner was punctuated not only with annual SOF-specific awards, but by a keynote address delivered by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Secretary Clinton’s speech emphasized the partnership between the Department of Defense and the Department of State that has begun solving

2 Photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Larry W. Carpenter Jr.

3 Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelita Lawrence.

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4 Photo by Marine Corps Master Sgt. F. B. Zimmerman.

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problems at the local level in several foreign countries, by working together on common goals.

The SOF capabilities demonstration featured a display of combat platforms, weaponry and skills all orchestrated by USSOCOM and executed by international operators from 10 different nations.

The demonstration showed how international operators can work together, as they attacked and secured four different objectives outside the Tampa Convention Center, securing a hostage and neutralizing enemy combatants. Blank ammunition and Hollywood-style pyrotechnics and explosions were used to give the impression of a “real” engagement with an enemy who had captured as their hostage, Bob Buckhorn, the mayor of Tampa. In addition to the U.S., the operators in the demonstration were from Poland, Norway, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Thailand, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.

1) A MARSOC Marine parachutes into the bay near downtown Tampa.

2) “Pirates” prepare for an attack on their stronghold.

3) A Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat performs an assault.

4) An international Special Operations team assaults a mock village.

5) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gives her speech during the ISOF gala dinner.

6) Admiral Bill H. McRaven, USSOCOM commander, answers questions during a press conference.

7) Hundreds of attendees listen to remarks at the opening of ISOF week.

8) Mr. James Cluck, USSOCOM acquisition and executive director, gives remarks during the conference.

6 Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelita Lawrence.

7 Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelita Lawrence.

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5 Photo by Mike Bottoms.

Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelita Lawrence.

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