Special forces or special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment".
An American special forces team moves together out of an U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey aircraft on February 26, 2018
Japanese drawing of the archetypical ninja, from a series of sketches (Hokusai manga) by Hokusai.
British Army scouts in South Africa (1893): Frederick Russell Burnham (middle); Hon. Maurice Gifford (right)
General Antonio Luna of the Philippine Revolutionary Army, the founder of Tiradores dela Muerte
Special operations or special ops are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment." Special operations may include reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and counterterrorism, and are typically conducted by small groups of highly trained personnel, emphasizing sufficiency, stealth, speed, and tactical coordination, commonly known as special forces.
U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators in MultiCam uniforms training in Jordan