Special Operations Command Europe

Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR, pronounced “Sock-Yer”) is a subordinate unified command of United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM, pronounced So-Comm).

Special Operations Command Europe
SOCEUR’s Distinctive Unit Insignia
Active1986-present
CountryUnited States
BranchJoint service
TypeSpecial Operations
RolePlanning and oversight of Special Forces in US European Command’s area of responsibility
Part ofUSSOCOM
Garrison/HQPatch Barracks, Germany
Motto(s)Semper Preparate (Always Prepared)
Commanders
CommanderMaj. Gen. Kirk Smith (since June 2018)

Function
SOCEUR Combat Service Identification Badge

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
Beret flash for US Army members of SOCEUR

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
SOCEUR seal

SOCEUR’s area of responsibility is based on EUCOM’s.[3] It consists of 51 countries, and extends from Greenland to the European continent.[3] It includes all of Russia, the Mediterranean Sea, the Caucasus region, and Israel.[3]

History

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.[4] Later that year, EUCOM re-designated the new unit as Support Operations Task Force Europe (SOTFE).[4]

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.[4] In 1968, SOTFE moved to Patch Barracks.[4]

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 [4]

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.[4] Since then, SOCEUR and its components have taken part in special operations during Operations Desert Storm, Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II.[4] 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).[4] SOCEUR also participated in operations in the Balkans, including Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, Allied Force, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.[4]

Commanders

Commanders of Special Operations Command Europe since its establishment as a EUCOM subordinate unified command include:

  • James T. “Terry” Scott, July 1987-September 1989[5]
  • Richard W. Potter Jr., September 1989-July 1992[6]
  • Keith Kellogg, July 1992-1994[7]
  • Michael A. Canavan, 1994-1996[8]
  • Geoffrey C. Lambert, August 1996-1998[9]
  • Eldon A. Bargewell, 1998-2000[10]
  • Leslie L. Fuller, 2000-July 2002[11]
  • Gary M. Jones, July 2002-August 2003[12]
  • Thomas R. Csrnko, August 2003-June 2006[13]
  • William H. McRaven, June 2006-March 2008[14]
  • Michael S. Repass (acting), March 2008-May 2008[14]
  • Frank J. Kisner, May 2008-July 2010[15]
  • Michael S. Repass, July 2010-July 2013[16]
  • Marshall B. Webb, July 2013-August 2014[16]
  • Gregory Lengyel, August 2014-June 2016[17]
  • Mark C. Schwartz, June 2016-June 2018[18]
  • Kirk W. Smith, June 2018-present[18]
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References
  1. ”Our Forces: U.S. Special Operations Command Europe.
  2. Special Operations Command Europe Changes Leadership.
  3. ”Our Forces: U.S. Special Operations Command Europe”.
  4. ”SOCEUR celebrates 59th Establishment Day”.
  5. ”Generals who rose from the ranks of the 14th Infantry”.
  6. Journey: Memoirs of an Air Force Chief of Staff, p. 216.
  7. ”Profile, Joseph Keith Kellogg, Jr.”.
  8. ”Evacuation of Americans Begins”.
  9. ”In Uniform: Geoffrey C. Lambert”.
  10. Special Operations Association, p. 113.
  11. ”USAREC welcomes and farewells the Deputy Commanding General”.
  12. ”Special Forces gets new leader”.
  13. ”Csrnko takes SOCEUR helm”.
  14. “U.S. Special Operations Command Europe commander departs”.
  15. ”Special Operations Command Europe holds change of command”.
  16. ”SOCEUR welcomes Webb as new commander”.
  17. ”US special operators in Europe get new boss”.
  18. ”US Special Operations Command Europe welcomes new commander”.

Sources

Internet
  • Cunningham, Henry (May 15, 2003). "Special Forces gets new leader". The War at Home. SOCNET.com.
  • Cook, Pamela A. Q. "U.S. Special Operations Command Europe commander departs". EUCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: United States European Command. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  • Sparks, Donald. "Special Operations Command Europe holds change of command". EUCOM.mil. Patch Barracks, Germany: United States European Command. Retrieved August 26, 2011.

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