The Operators: Inside the World's Special Forces

by Mike Ryan

Overview

Journalist and soldier Mike Ryan's access to restricted information is at the heart of this extraordinary look into the world of special forces and their tactics, training, and protocols. Ryan's web of military contacts in the U.S. and Europe allows him to tell the full stories of famous special forces units (like the SAS, Delta Force, and the French Foreign Legion), to discuss their role today on an ever-changing battlefield, and to ponder their increasing use as political enforcers. Soldiers from all over the world talk candidly about the hunt for Osama bin Laden, the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, and operations in the Balkans, Somalia, and Sierra Leone. Every entry on a unit, tactic, or weapon is backed up with photographs of it in action, as well as testimony from operators in the field and a full analysis of its combat effectiveness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781602392151
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	05/06/2008
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.75(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Mike Ryan is the author of The Operators, about the world's special forces, as well as Baghdad or Bust and Special Operations in Iraq, two of the most reliable accounts of the Iraq War.

Table of Contents

Preface     6
Introduction: Special Forces Roles     8
Special Forces: Selection and Training     14
Politically Correct Warfare: The Balkans     30
Special Forces Tactics: Techniques and Procedures     38
Cave Operators: Operators in Afghanistan     48
Nintendo Operators: Action in Iraq     60
Airborne Operators: Hell from Above     86
Global Operators: Special Forces Worldwide     96
Modern Warfare: Future Operators     206
Conclusion: Final Words     219
Abbreviations     220
Index     222