I refer to the letter Send GI Jane to Baghdad . I'm afraid this is going to go on forever; this topic is well-known for endless discussions within the US SpecOps community. I'd like to end it by answering Disappointed charges and enlightening him about his errors.

Firstly, I wrote that the British Special Air Services (SAS) was tops (and let's not give short shift to their Aussie equivalent). Their problem is they are too small in numbers and are bleeding members to do the worldwide job the USA requires.

There's no doubt in my mind that if the US required an SAS-sized outfit with the same capabilities, we could pick them and train them from our present special operations components just as we have done with Delta and their requirement.

Secondly, Special Forces (SF) a la WWII was disbanded at the end of WWII as were the Air Commandos (formerly Army Air Corp) which was the air component working with Special Forces as well as other SpecOps missions.

Kennedy reinvented both in the early 60s. They started from scratch and evolved from past experiences and learnt as they went along. During the Vietnam War, the vast majority of behind- the-lines work was done by Army Rangers, some SEAL, some Marine Force Reconnaisance (FR or Force Recon).

The most famous of these missions were carried out by the Rangers and were known as LRRP or as we say, Lurp. The initials stand for Long Range Reconnaisance Patrols. A second and similar mission carried out primarily by a small percentage of in-country (Vietnam) Special Forces (in coordination with the CIA and directed by Military Assistance Command Vietnam) was known as Studies and Observations Group (SOG). Together they came under the title MACVSOG.

These troops did special missions in foreign countries denied to us by treaty (denied territory missions) - the '62 Geneva Accords. They were not 100 percent SF, but primarily SF along with the Air Commandos (II) air component.

Today, Special Forces teach militaries in 40 or more countries. They retain their commando functions. Their foreign language skill requirements and nuclear training are unique to them. They are usually Airborne Rangers first who then learn other skills that set them apart.

And as the need for larger SpecOps type warfare missions arise due to terrorism and its use of guerilla warfare, some US Marines units are being trained to be Special Operations capable. The SF is being used effectively in places such as Afghanistan's mountainous tribal areas, where the ability to gain local support is more important than blowing things up on your own.

Disappointed's mention of Lebanon is no credit to him, he knows the Marines there were not then trained in urban guerilla warfare. Somalia is another story - one of convention force commanders undying dislike for Special Forces and denying them the tools and men to do the job.

But we've learned from that and today combined force warfare is doctrine.