News / Military
By Howard Altman / Tampa Bay Times / May 25, 2016
PHOTO: International Special Operations Forces from many countries around the world work together in a simulated hostage rescue and combating enemy forces in 2014 in Tampa. Later today, Buckhorn once again will be taken hostage. It’s all part of SOFIC (Special Operations Forces Industry Conference) being held this week at the Tampa Convention Center. [EVE EDELHEIT | Times]
It’s captive day for Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
At 1:30 p.m., Buckhorn will be “taken hostage” by bad guys, only to be rescued by an international contingent of commandos swooping in by water, air and land.
Buckhorn, who regularly gives up the city for pirates as part of the annual Gasparilla celebration, will be a role player in a demonstration of how special operations forces work together. It’s part of the International Special Operations Forces conference, a meeting of commando leaders from 80 nations who have gathered this week in Tampa to talk about how to deal with threats from violent extremist organizations and criminal groups and challenges from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.
RELATED: Merchants of war sell their wares at Tampa Convention Center
The biannual meeting coincides with the annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, also held at the convention center. SOFIC has attracted about 11,500 visitors to hear discussions by commando leaders like Army Gen. Raymond A. “Tony” Thomas III, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. And about 350 companies have set up booths to display their wares to the MacDill Air Force Base-headquartered command, which spends several billion dollars a year on spec ops specific goods and services.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Gen. Thomas lays out priorities for Special Operations Command
Buckhorn is being captured in a faux assault designed to showcase how commandos from different nations can work together to achieve objectives. In reality, hostage rescues are among the most dangerous missions commandos undertake.
The public is invited to watch the half-hour demonstration, which will feature boats, assault vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, helicopters and other aircraft taking part in the rescue scenarios as special operators from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps work alongside counterparts from partner nations around the world. They will be working with commandos from countries that have been in combat or trained with U.S. special operations forces for the past several decades, according to SoCom.
The northern tip of Harbor Island, west of the Harbor Island Bridge, and the bridge itself are available as viewing areas for the demonstration, according to the command. There will also be limited viewing space on the water’s edge adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center, “but much of it will be restricted to attendees of the conference and will be cordoned off for a safety perimeter,” a SoCom media release states.
“I have a chance to play a small role in the demonstration of their capabilities,” Buckhorn told the Times last week. “I enjoy it thoroughly, plus I get 100 rounds on the .50-cal, which makes me really happy.”
Wayback image
