A Special Forces expert recounts the major changes in organization, equipment and operational missions of the Ranger Regiment (75th Infantry), and its combat record since from the invasion of Panama through to the War on Terror.

Introduction – the ‘ranger’ in history, as a behind-the-lines guerrilla soldier – the US Army Rangers, from World War II to Vietnam and afterChanges in structure and operational remit since the 1980s – Ranger Indocrination Program, Ranger Assessment & Selection Program, Ranger School, and the Ranger RegimentOperation Just Cause: Panama, 1989 – the Rangers’ last ‘conventional war’Op Desert Storm: Iraq, 1991 – from combat search-and-rescue to long-range heliborne assaultOp Gothic Serpent: Somalia, 1993 – the lessons of ‘Black Hawk Down!’Op Enduring Freedom: Afghanistan, 2001-present – the wide range of missions accomplished, and coordination with other special unitsOp Iraqi Freedom, 2003-2010 – from hunting Scuds, to hunting down al-Qaeda as part of the JSOC Task Force – comparisons with AfghanistaThe evolution of the modern Ranger – the Ranger Reconaissance Company & Regimental Special Troops BattalionThe futureWeapons, equipment and vehiclesBibliography

A Special Forces expert recounts the major changes in organization, equipment and operational missions of the Ranger Regiment (75th Infantry), and its combat record since from the invasion of Panama through to the War on Terror.

Special operations forces hold a fascination for the public partly due to the secrecy and intrigue of their roles and partly due to their high level of skill. This fascination can be seen in action with the success of the 2014 film, American Sniper.