U.S. Special Operations Command hosts International Commander's Forum during Special Operations Forces Week 2026

Photo By Staff Sgt. Cutler Brice | International special operations officers attend SOF Week International Commander's Forum to begin Special Operations Forces Week 2026 in Tampa Bay, Florida, May 18, 2026. U.S. Special Operations Command and the Global Special Operations Forces Foundation annually co-host SOF Week for the international SOF community to share lessons learned across the Department of Defense, the interagency, allies and partners, academia and industry. These relationships demonstrate the power of partnership to ensure our warfighters’ readiness. The SOF Week venue provides the team of teams to gather for collaboration, education and modernization in support of national defense priorities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Cutler Brice)  

TAMPA, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

05.18.2026

Story by Staff Sgt. Cutler Brice 

U.S. Special Operations Command

TAMPA, Fla. – Faced with a rapidly evolving security landscape, senior special operations commanders from 73 countries met in Tampa this week to address shared threats and define the future of their global partnership.

The International Special Operation Force (SOF) Forum, which drew over 200 attendees from around the globe, was driven by the shared understanding that warfare is changing at a historic pace. Discussions focused on two critical themes: maximizing the unique capabilities of each nation’s forces and modernizing the international community’s approach to new technology.

"Adm. Bradley and I talk about this regularly, as do the leaders in this room. Forums like this bring people together to collaborate, share, and recognize that we have more in common than differences," said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew J. Krogman, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) command senior enlisted leader. “Without a venue for candid conversations like this, we are not as strong as we could be. Bringing teammates together makes us stronger.”

Cohesive partnerships have long been central to how the international SOF community derives its strength and competitive advantage. The forum provided an opportunity to reinforce those relationships through direct dialogue, building on a network developed over generations of combined training, shared risk and collective operations. For partner nations, the ability to leverage that network, share knowledge and integrate capabilities with counterparts from across the globe remains one of the most effective tools available in an increasingly complex security environment.

"All the issues discussed are regional in nature, and their effects go far beyond national and regional borders," said Netherlands Army Maj. Gen. Jan Hut, commander, Netherlands Special Operations Command. "That illustrates the nature and importance of this forum. Bringing together different voices and maintaining dialogue that, from my perspective, is the true foundation of strong partnership."

The forum was hosted by U.S. Special Operations Command as part of SOF Week 2026, held at the Tampa Convention Center from May 18-21, bringing together all Theater Special Operations Commands, service components, the USSOCOM leadership and international partners to exchange perspectives on the challenges their forces face.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2026
• Date Posted: 05.21.2026 12:21
• Story ID: 565570
• Location: TAMPA, FLORIDA, US