During the War on Terror, the military could conduct operations unhindered due to complete air superiority. The modern battlefield in Ukraine has proven that air superiority is no longer guaranteed, so U.S. Special Forces are preparing accordingly.
The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS) has brought older weapons of war — including the Stinger surface-to-air missile — out of retirement to prepare future Special Forces weapons sergeants for a new era of warfare.
“We may have a window of advantage but the reality with our partners is we may have to provide small unit air defense capability, and that involves the ability to operate systems like the Stinger,” Commanding General of SWCS Brig. Gen. Guillaume Beaurpere said.
This is one of the recent changes to the Special Forces Qualifications Course — commonly called the Q-course, which all soldiers must pass to earn the Green Beret. Many of the weapons and tactics from World War II and through the Cold War era, like digging tank ditches, have also made their way back into the Q-course.
The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS) has brought older weapons of war — including the Stinger surface-to-air missile — out of retirement to prepare future Special Forces weapons sergeants for a new era of warfare.
“We may have a window of advantage but the reality with our partners is we may have to provide small unit air defense capability, and that involves the ability to operate systems like the Stinger,” Commanding General of SWCS Brig. Gen. Guillaume Beaurpere said.
This is one of the recent changes to the Special Forces Qualifications Course — commonly called the Q-course, which all soldiers must pass to earn the Green Beret. Many of the weapons and tactics from World War II and through the Cold War era, like digging tank ditches, have also made their way back into the Q-course.
