Special Operations Command Europe
| Special Operations Command Europe | |
|---|---|
| File:High Res SOCEUR Patch copy.png U.S. SOCEUR Combat Service Identification Badge | |
| Active | 1986–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Joint service |
| Type | Special Operations |
| Role | Planning and oversight of Special Forces in US European Command’s area of responsibility |
| Part of | USSOCOM |
| Garrison/HQ | Patch Barracks, Germany |
| Motto | Semper Preparate (Always Prepared) |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | LTG Richard E. Angle |
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).
Function
[edit | edit source]
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]
Components
[edit | edit source]
Forces of the United States Special Operations Command for which SOCEUR is responsible include: 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Naval Special Warfare Unit 2; 352d Special Operations Wing; and the SOCEUR Signal Detachment.[2]
Geographic focus
[edit | edit source]
SOCEUR's area of responsibility is based on EUCOM's.[1] It consists of 51 countries, and extends from Greenland to the European continent.[1] It includes all of Russia, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Caucasus region.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]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.[3] Later that year, EUCOM re-designated the new unit as Support Operations Task Force Europe (SOTFE).[3]
When France withdrew from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1967, SOTFE moved from its headquarters in Paris to Panzer Kaserne near Stuttgart, West Germany.[3] In 1968, SOTFE moved to Patch Barracks.[3]
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 [3]
Originally focused on containment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the Cold War, after the Warsaw Pact ended in 1991 SOCEUR's focus shifted to other European countries, Africa and the Middle East.[3] Since then, SOCEUR and its components have taken part in special operations during Operations Desert Storm, Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II.[3] In addition, prior to the creation of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Special Operations Command Africa, SOCEUR took part in activities in Africa to include Silver Anvil (Sierra Leone) and Atlas Response (Mozambique).[3] SOCEUR also participated in operations in the Balkans, including Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, Allied Force, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.[3]
Commanders
[edit | edit source]Commanders of Special Operations Command Europe since its establishment as a EUCOM subordinate unified command include:
- James T. “Terry” Scott, July 1987 – September 1989[4]
- Richard W. Potter Jr., September 1989 – July 1992[5]
- Keith Kellogg, July 1992 – July 1994[6]
- Michael A. Canavan, July 1994 – July 1996[7]
- Geoffrey C. Lambert, August 1996 – July 1998[8]
- Eldon A. Bargewell, August 1998 - June 2000[9]
- Leslie L. Fuller, July 2000 – July 2002[10]
- Gary M. Jones, July 2002 – August 2003[11]
- Thomas R. Csrnko, August 2003 – June 2006[12]
- William H. McRaven, June 2006 – March 2008[13]
- Michael S. Repass (acting), March 2008 – May 2008[13]
- Frank J. Kisner, May 2008 – July 2010[14]
- Michael S. Repass, July 2010 – July 2013[15]
- Marshall B. Webb, July 2013 – August 2014[15]
- Gregory Lengyel, August 2014 – June 2016[16]
- Mark C. Schwartz, June 2016 – June 2018[17]
- Kirk W. Smith, June 2018 – August 2020[17]
- David H. Tabor, August 2020 – June 2022[18]
- Steven G. Edwards, June 28, 2022 – July 2024[19]
- Joseph G. Lock, July 2024 – October 2024[20]
- Richard E. Angle, October 2024 – present[21]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c d e "Our Forces: U.S. Special Operations Command Europe".
- ^ "Special Operations Command Europe Changes Leadership".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "SOCEUR celebrates 59th Establishment Day".
- ^ "Generals who rose from the ranks of the 14th Infantry".
- ^ Journey: Memoirs of an Air Force Chief of Staff, p. 216.
- ^ "Profile, Joseph Keith Kellogg, Jr.".
- ^ "Evacuation of Americans Begins".
- ^ "In Uniform: Geoffrey C. Lambert".
- ^ Special Operations Association, p. 113.
- ^ "USAREC welcomes and farewells the Deputy Commanding General".
- ^ "Special Forces gets new leader".
- ^ "Csrnko takes SOCEUR helm".
- ^ a b "U.S. Special Operations Command Europe commander departs".
- ^ "Special Operations Command Europe holds change of command".
- ^ a b "SOCEUR welcomes Webb as new commander".
- ^ "US special operators in Europe get new boss".
- ^ a b "US Special Operations Command Europe welcomes new commander".
- ^ "Special operations troops get a new boss in Stuttgart".
- ^ "Maj. Gen. (Select) Steven G. Edwards takes command of Special Operations Command Europe".
- ^ "Brig. Gen. Joseph G. Lock takes command of Special Operations Command Europe".
- ^ "Allied Special Operations Forces Command Holds Change of Command Ceremony".
Sources
[edit | edit source]Internet
[edit | edit source]- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
News
[edit | edit source]- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Magazines
[edit | edit source]- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Books
[edit | edit source]- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
