Special Operations Command (Philippines)

Special Operations Command (Philippines)
Active	January 16, 1978 - Present
Country	Philippines
Branch	Armed Forces of the Philippines
Type	Special Operations
Role	Direct Action Reconnaissance International and domestic Counter-terrorism Special operations Direct action Counter-terrorism Special reconnaissance Unconventional warfare Hostage rescue Foreign internal defense Counter-proliferation Counter narcotic operations HVT Raids
Size	Classified
Garrison/HQ	Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija
Colors	Maroon, Gold and Black
Decorations	Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge Presidential Streamer Award
Commanders
Current commander	MGen Donato San Juan II AFP
Notable commanders	COL David Abundo Jr. PA (INF) (GSC) GEN Hermogenes Esperon AFP GEN Victor Ibrado AFP LTGEN Arturo Ortiz AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Special Operations Command (Spanish:Comando Conjunto de Operaciones Especiales de las FF.AA. de Filipinas) is the unified special operations command of the Armed Forces which responsible for planning, conducting, and supporting special operations. Although the current AFP SOCOM was established in April 2018 on the basis of the Philippine Army Special Operations Command and the AFP Joint Special Operations Group, it traces its origins to the Philippine Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWABde), established on January 16, 1978 (the date is marked as the official anniversary of SOCOM).

History

The AFPSOCOM traces its roots to the Philippine Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWABde) that was organized in January 1978. The ASWABde was a first attempt to rein in the specialties of the Special Forces and the Scout Rangers, two army units that have among the most highly trained personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and structure their collective efforts into a highly effective army unit. Disbanded in 1986, it was reactivated as the PA SOCOM in 1995. It has been headquartered in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija since its reactivation, and was expanded in 2003 to accommodate the Light Reaction Regiment.

The current AFPSOCOM, which was elevated to an Armed Forces combatant command in April 2018, also includes units from the now disbanded AFP Joint Special Operations Group, raised in August 2003, and included not just the LRR, but the Naval Special Operations Group and the 710th Special Operations Wing. The AFP JSOG K-9 Platoon was carried over to the expanded command.

Unit mission

The mission of the AFPSOCOM is to plan, conduct and support special operations in all operational environments in support of the fundamental missions of the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Unit core capabilities

SOCOM forces are employed based on the following core capabilities:

• Unconventional Warfare
• Direct Action
• Special Reconnaissance
• International and domestic Counter-terrorist Operations
• HVT Raids
• Sabotage
• Humanitarian Assistance/ Disaster Response
• Security Assistance

Units

The current AFP SOCOM is organized into:

• Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) - The regiment is to organize, train, equip and provide rapidly deployable forces and conduct unconventional warfare in all types of operational environment in support of SOCOM's mission. The Special Forces specializes on the following: unconventional warfare, direct action; special reconnaissance; psychological warfare and mass base operations.
• Scout Ranger Regiment^[1] - The regiment is to organize, train, equip and provide rapidly deployable forces and conduct special operations in support of SOCOM's mission. The regiment's core capabilities are: direct action, jungle warfare, special reconnaissance, and sniping operations.
• Light Reaction Regiment - The is the premier counter-terrorist unit of the Philippine Army and the Special Mission Unit of the Philippines. It was formerly known as the Light Reaction Battalion and Light Reaction Company. Due to its specialization in counter-terrorism operations and its formation with American advisers, the Light Reaction Regiment has been sometimes referred to as the Philippines' Delta Force.
• Naval Special Operations Group - The Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) or Special Warfare Group (SWAG) is a unit of the Philippine Navy trained in special operations, sabotage, psychological and unconventional warfare and is heavily influenced by the United States Navy SEALs.
• Marine Special Operations Group - Marine Special Operations Group of the Philippine Marine Corps have similarities between the NAVSOG. Also trained in the same capabilities although their capabilities are not well known.
• 710th Special Operations Wing - The 710th SPOW is the Special operations unit of the Philippine Air Force handling hostage rescue and counter-terrorist operations.

Training

See also

• Philippine Army
• Light Reaction Regiment
• Naval Special Operations Group

References