American Black Ops in Europe Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Recent declassification and leaks reveal the extent of American black ops in Europe.
• Focus on special operations from the Cold War to modern-day conflicts, especially in Ukraine.

Special Operations in Europe

• The 10th Special Forces Group specializes in Europe since 1952.
• Originally tasked with conducting partisan warfare if the Soviet Union invaded Western Europe.
• 2021: US special forces present in 33 out of 44 European countries.
• Focus on building resistance networks across Europe.

Operations in Ukraine

• 2014: Russia annexed Crimea, sparking increased US special forces activity in Ukraine.
  • 10th group deployed to train Ukrainian forces.
  • Provided training on Javelin and Stinger missiles, drones, and reconnaissance tactics.
  • Trained 27,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
• February 2022: US special forces helped evacuate American embassy in Kyiv as Russia prepared to invade.
• April 2022: British SAS evacuated Ukrainian generals to Poland, who then planned with US CIA in Germany.

Involvement of Western Intelligence

• Task Force Dragon created to assist Ukraine with targeting Russian forces using intelligence.
• Intelligence shared discreetly to avoid being overtly provocative.
• Presence of Western special forces confirmed by 2023 leaks.

Historical Black Ops

Operation Valuable (1949)

• First CIA paramilitary operation in Albania.
• Aimed to create resistance against Soviet-backed rule.
• Failed due to Soviet infiltration via double agent Kim Philby.

Operation Greenlight (1962-1986)

• Plan to use tactical nukes to slow Soviet advancements.
• Green Berets trained with nuclear backpacks.
• Psychological operations to test discipline and resolve.

Operation Gladio

• Covert stay-behind forces in Europe during the Cold War.
• Revealed in 1990, leading to investigations in multiple countries.
• Aimed to activate in case of Soviet invasion.
• Controversial due to potential political meddling.

Conclusion

• Complexity and secrecy of black ops lead to public distrust.
• Ongoing revelations about covert operations continue to surface.
• Call for more content and support for independent journalism.