The U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR, pronounced “Sock-Yer”) is a subordinate unified command of United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM, pronounced So-Comm).
Function
SOCEUR's Distinctive Unit Insignia
Based at Patch Barracks near Stuttgart, Germany, SOCEUR's function is to plan for use of Special Operations forces within EUCOM's area of responsibility, employ the forces, and assess whether they are achieving the desired results.[1] SOCEUR conducts these activities as part of the US effort to strengthen the military capabilities and security of partner nations in Europe and counter threats to the US and its European partners.[1]
SOCEUR's area of responsibility is based on EUCOM's.[3] It consists of 51 countries, and extends from Greenland to the European continent.[3] It includes all of Russia, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Caucasus region.[3]
History
In 1955, the US European Command established Support Operations Command Europe to provide planning and operational control for Special Operations forces in the EUCOM area of responsibility.[4] Later that year, EUCOM re-designated the new unit as Support Operations Task Force Europe (SOTFE).[4]
As part of the Goldwater-Nichols Act reforms, on May 30, 1986, SOCEUR was confirmed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a subordinate unified command of EUCOM and the EUCOM Special Operations Director took on the added role of SOCEUR commander [4]