U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) TSOC, Special Operations Command-South (SOCSOUTH), thanks to an absence of regional conflict in their area of responsibility (AOR), was able to run a number of JCET operations throughout 2014. These included missions to Central America, where SF teams on JCET missions work closely with security forces in countries like Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belize, helped train local personnel in the skills necessary to better interdict transnational organized crime trafficking into Mexico and North America. SF JCET also ran in venues throughout the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. This highly successful program, funded annually by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is just one example of what USASOC and SOCOM will probably be tasked with as America’s overseas combat commitments continue to wind down.

 

75th Ranger Regiment

Since 2013, Col. Christopher S. Vanek, has been commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment, which he retained throughout 2014. Along with his senior enlisted adviser, Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Albertson, Vanek enjoyed a year that celebrated many of the regiment’s legendary combat achievements, as they remained fully committed worldwide to today’s fights. This included the 70th anniversary commemoration ceremonies for Operation Overlord, the invasion of Europe. Rangers were prominent throughout the ceremonies, especially at Pointe du Hoc, the site of 2nd Battalion’s legendary landing and cliff climb to destroy a battery of heavy German guns that threatened the landing beaches.

In addition, the regiment also conducted, for the first time in years due to budget limitations, a full schedule of training exercises for components not directly committed to combat. This included Rangers from 3rd Battalion who deployed in October to South Korea for an all-up deployment exercise in support of the U.S. 8th Army and SOCKOR. This included parachute jumps, small arms training, and other events that lasted over eight weeks in fall 2014. The first major exercise since before 9/11 involving the regiment, the deployment was widely applauded by USASOC leadership, including the 3/75th liaison officer, Maj. David Uthlaut.

“Korea was chosen because of the great training facilities and support infrastructure it offers to rotational units,” Uthlaut said. “The leadership of U.S. Forces-Korea, 8th Army, and Special Operations Command-Korea, has all been extremely receptive to our presence, actively setting the conditions for our success and providing reinforcement as we work through initial integration. … This relationship is still evolving. We believe we have set the stage for more in-depth interoperability training for future training rotations.”