Academic literature on the topic 'Specialoperation'

Since the 1980s there has been an increase in the use of  special operations  and special forces. Although some theorists would say that the use of special operation is as old as the art of war, the scientific study in this subject is not extensive. The author of this dissertation have identified that the concept special operations is defined in different ways and that there seems to be a discrepancy in how the concept is understood among theorists. Harry Yarger, who has written a theory of American special operations states that there is a difference in how other countries conduct special operations. If that is true, definitions of special operations should vary according to nation. The first purpose of this study is to examine chosen definitions of special operations and to identify what differs and what is similar. The second purpose is to see if there is a connection between how the concept is defined and a which category it belongs to. The studied definitions are here categorized according to studies of cases and/or doctrines from one specified nation or several nations. At least two different definitions were chosen in each category, that way the author could compare the definitions within a category to see if they are consistent with each other. By identifying differences and similarities the authors intent was also to find what traits links the three different categories in order to be able to develop a more uniform definition of the concept special operation. The analysis has shown that there are many differences between categories as well as within categories and therefore the conclusion is indecisive – the author has not been able to establish if or not the there is a connection between how the concept is defined and a category. However, those similarities found in every category has been used to make a suggestion to a more uniform definition of special operations: Special operations are of an unorthodox nature. The purpose of these operations are to solve significant political and military problems. Missions can include time limited attacks aiming to destroy, seize, recover or exploit chosen objects. Special operations are conducted by special forces.

Specialförband nyttjas allt mer i dagens konflikter och det organisatoriska innehållet i specialförbandssystem skiljer sig åt, där vissa länder har utökat sitt system med lätt infanteri i en understödjande roll. Detta skapar ett behov för Sverige att analysera andras erfarenheter avseende nyttjande av understödjande infanteriet. Syftet med denna studie är att bidra med ökad förståelse avseende de för- och nackdelar som uppkommer på taktisk nivå när understödjande infanteri nyttjas vid specialoperationer. Denna studie använder ett teoretiskt analysramverk bestående av McRavens teori och de principer han har utvecklat kring specialoperationer. Undersökningen visar sammanfattningsvis att understödjande infanteriet bidrar till en in-satsstyrkas samlade effekt och förmåga, samt att de möjliggör för kärnförbanden att lyckas med huvuduppgiften. Resultatet i en specialoperation påverkas genom samtliga prestationer av den personal och de förbandsenheter som ingår i specialoperationen.

This study examines William H. McRaven's theory of why special operations succeed. The theory is tested on Operation Nimrod which took place after the theory was published and carried out against a non-state actor. Operation Nimrod was a special operation in which the British special forces SAS conducted a hostage rescue operation against six terrorists on the Iranian embassy in London 1980. McRaven's theory contains six principles that need to be utilized to achieve relative superiority. The theory is one of few used in research at the tactical level of special operations and the principles can also be found in the Swedish doctrine. The study aims to test the generalizability of the theory to modern cases since few studies have tried this before. The result of this case study shows that all six principles in McRaven's theory of special operations have been used in Operation Nimrod where relative superiority arose. This shows a connection between the theory and a successful special operation which results in the generalizability of the theory being strengthened through this study.

<p>Denna uppsats är skriven som en studie i fyra delar. Första delen består utav redogörelser för syfte, metod och källmaterial samt hur jag skapat det analysverktyg som används i arbetet. I andra delen belyses krigföringens grundprinciper såsom de är definierade i litteraturen. Här redogörs även för de faktorer som kommer att användas vid identifikationen. Tredje delen av min studie inleds utav en historisk återblick, där jag återberättar händelserna som utspelar sig i Norge under 1942-1943. Detta case som ligger till grund för min studie är en av andra världskrigets mest kända specialoperationer, som trots sin berömmelse väldigt få har djupare information om. Operationerna är kantade av motgångar och dödsfall, men framförallt av målmedvetenhet och stor vilja. Genom att använda mitt analysverktyg mot detta case vill jag se huruvida samtliga av krigföringens grundprinciper kan identifieras. Slutsatserna som är dragna är att samtliga av krigföringens grundprinciper kan identifieras med hjälpav de faktorer jag använt.</p><br><p>This paper is written as a study in four parts. The first part consists of statements of purpose, methodology and source materials, and how I created the analysis tools used at work. The second section highlights the basic principles of warfare as defined in the literature. This also presents the factors that will be used for identification. The third part of my study starts out a historical review, which I am recounting the events that take place in Norway during 1942-1943. This case, which is the basis for my study is one of WWII's most famous Special Operations, who, despite its fame, very few have deeper information. These operations are marked by misfortune and death, but above all the determination and eagerness. By using my analysis tool of this case I want to see whether all of the basic principles of warfare can be identified. The conclusions that are drawn are that all of the basic principles of warfare can be identified by the factors I used.</p>

Recent conflicts have shown signs of increased operational usage of Special Operation Forces, conducting qualified missions of great strategical importance. However, the field of theoretical understanding within the subject suffers from limitations in scientifically based studies. Which aims to explain how special operations succeed on a strategical level. Although several researchers agree on the need for further studies within the subject, there are uncertainties whether theory should be developed upon classical or modern principles of war. Adam Leong Kok Wey has constructed a theoretical framework, in which eight historically rooted principles within special operations are presented. Wey claims that classical principles of war can be used to explain how modern special operations succeed. This study has been conducted in order to test whether Wey’s principles can explain the result of two contemporary cases. The result shows that all of the eight principles were present during the successful Operation Neptune Spear, whilst all but one was absent during the failed Bravo Two-Zero mission. Conclusions from this study can be drawn, which suggests an increase in explanatory power of Wey’s theoretical framework. Furthermore, suggesting that contemporary special operations theory can be developed upon classical principles of war.

The use of special operations forces has increased over the last decades. But the theories on how special operation forces best will be used to conduct special operations does not keep up with the development in the field. There are theories in the field of special operations, among them are Robert G. Spulak and William H McRaven. According to McRavens theory there are six principles that are to be met to be successful in a special operation. Robert G. Spulaks theory says that the personal attributes of the soldiers are essential for success. These two theoretical frameworks are used to examine one operation where special operations forces were used, Operation Neptune Spear. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the operation to see which of the theories that can explain the outcome. The operation is examined through a qualitative case study. The results of the study indicate that McRavens six principles can explain the outcome of the operation. The result also indicate that Spulaks theory can explain the outcome. Despite the differences in the theories both manage to explain the outcome of a special operation.

Specialförband och specialoperationer beskrivs ofta i förhållande till reguljära enheter och konventionella operationer. De beskrivs som något som ligger utanför reguljära förbands förmågor. Detta kan i sin tur ställa andra krav på specialförbandslogistiken än på logistiken för reguljära förband.   Den logistikteori som finns idag är i huvudsak baserad på fallstudier av konventionell krigföring. Det saknas alltså ett teoretiskt ramverk för specialförbandslogistik och idag baseras det på doktriner och handböcker som bygger på praktiskt vunna erfarenheter. Syftet med denna uppsats är att analysera fram viktiga principer för specialförbandslogistik och i och med det ge ett bidrag för att öka förståelsen för just fenomenet specialförbandslogistik vid genomförande av specialoperationer.   Genom att analysera specialförbands och specialoperationsempirin, både deduktivt med hjälp av befintlig logistikteori och induktivt genom extensiv läsning, har logistikteorin utvecklats. Några principer från logistikteorin har nyanserats och omarbetats, någon har strukits och några tillkommit. Principerna för specialförbandslogistik vid genomförande av specialoperationer är integrering, framsynthet, improvisation, flexibilitet, tillgänglighet, tempo, enkelhet, överlevnad, effektivitet, kreativitet, operationssäkerhet och interoperabilitet.

Specialförband och specialoperationer är ett mindre studerat område, vilket också innebär att ämnet är underteoretiserat. Den befintliga forskningen är framförallt inriktad mot taktisk- och strategisk nivå, varför denna masteruppsats fokuseras till den operativa nivån och specifikt till begreppet operationskonst. Operationskonst framställs i doktriner som viktigt, men grundläggande vägledning hur begreppet ska förstås vid specialoperationer saknas. Genom åtkomst till förstahandskällor genomförs en praktiknära undersökning i svensk kontext. Uppsatsens syfte är att med en induktiv ansats och kvalitativ metod, skapa vetenskapligt grundad kunskap som bidrar till fördjupad förståelse och teoribildning av operationskonst vid specialoperationer. En fördjupad förståelse kan stödja operativ planering och ledning av specialoperationer, likaså en ännu tydligare integration med den taktiska nivåns krigföringsprinciper, vilket sammantaget kan medföra utvidgade förutsättningar till framgång. Uppsatsen visar att specialförbandens operativa nivå förstår begreppet operationskonst vid specialoperationer genom tre huvudkategorier: Innebörd – beskriver återkommande element, Förutsättning – åskådliggör premisser och Betydelse – klargör effekten. Resultatet leder till slutsatser som underbygger uppsatsens genererade teori inom operationskonst vid specialoperationer.

The aim of this study was to investigate how the small state Norway could use special operations in cooperation with allies against the great power Germany during World War 2. According to Clausewitz, defense favors the defender, but how could a small state manage to create friction for the German defensive bases in Norway? Can a theory of special operations help us understand this phenomenon? Scholars have found a lack of empirical studies of special operations and small states which this study aims to remedy. This study used a qualitative approach and examined two special operations in Norway, Operation Archery 1941 and Musketoon 1942. The study uses Spulaks theory of special operations to enhance the understanding of the outcomes. The study concludes that both operations were considered successful at the operational level but Musketoon failed on the tactical level due to lack of integrated operations and maintaining relative superiority. The integration of the Norwegians was considered important for the completion of the missions due to knowledge of terrain and interaction with civilians. This study has given an empirical contribution to the research gap of special operations and small states.

The aim of this study was to investigate the Norwegian Special Forces’ [FSK] experiences about how women in the All-female SR platoon [Jegertroppen] are seen as a contribution to special operations. The research questions were (1) what qualities and characteristics does FSK seek from candidates of the all-female SR platoon in the light of Spulaks’s theory?, (2) What are FSK’s experience with the performance of woman in the all-female SR platoon in relation to Spulak’s theory?, (3) How does FSK experience the performance of the all-female SR platoon compared to the male special forces group?   The data were collected using a qualitative approach, through interviews and was analyzed with a qualitative content of six analysis questions. A semi-structured interview guide containing three major themes was drawn up of (1) requested, (2) showed and (3) comparative to the male special forces group. The participants in this study were five respondents, from or related to FSK.   The result revealed that FSK believes that women from the all-female SR platoon can contribute to special operations, regarding special reconnaissance, including the reporting of information. The conclusion of this study is that woman have attributes that can be valuable to special forces.