https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5106211

The U.S. has reportedly stationed special forces in Taiwan to conduct continuous training missions in the country.

Following the implementation of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 in the U.S., American military advisors have begun being permanently stationed in Army amphibious bases in Kinmen and Penghu this year, reported UDN. They are conducting periodic training sessions with various Taiwanese special forces units.

Since last year, U.S. special forces have been assisting Taiwan special forces in learning to operate the Black Hornet Nano, a military micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and helping develop guidelines and instructional materials. The Aviation and Special Forces Command has submitted a proposal to purchase the drone from the U.S. through arms sales channels.

The NDAA includes plans for sending officials to Taiwan. Currently, there are no reported plans for civilian officials to be stationed in Taiwan. However, it is reported that the U.S. military's Special Operations Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE) is expanding its training program in Taiwan.

This involves sending three-person teams from the Army Green Berets, specifically from the 1st Special Forces Group, 2nd Battalion, Alpha Company, to be stationed at bases of Taiwan's 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion and Airborne Special Service Company for continuous joint training, serving as resident training observers. Contrary to the past, when the U.S. military frequently visited the Army Airborne Training Center (now located at a new site in Pingtung) and the Guguan Special Forces Training Center, there were no U.S. personnel previously stationed at these locations.

Since last year, the SOFLE was stationed at Taiwan's special operations command base in Taoyuan's Longtan District. All U.S. special operations personnel in Taiwan are under the guidance, support, and control of the SOFLE post in Taoyuan, and it manages high-value equipment or training materials temporarily stored in Taiwan, UDN said.

Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), director of the Division of Defense Strategy and Resources at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, was cited by TVBS as saying, "The Green Berets are a defensive type of special forces, employed to counteract enemy infiltration, especially when integrated with Taiwan's amphibious reconnaissance battalions. They include the 1st Reconnaissance Company in Kinmen, 2nd Reconnaissance Company in Matsu, and 3rd Reconnaissance Company in Penghu, as well as at the mouth of the Tamsui River."

In an interview with CNN in 2021, Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) became the first Taiwanese president in 40 years to acknowledge that there are U.S. troops deployed in the country. This latest news about the Green Berets, marks the first report of the U.S. permanently stationing military personnel in Taiwan.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wcb6092,

quote:

Originally posted by wcb6092:
This latest news about the Green Berets, marks the first report of the U.S. permanently stationing military personnel in Taiwan.

This claim appears to be missing some caveat, like "... in the 21st century" or "...in over 40 years"?

Because the US has had up to 20,000 troops in Taiwan before. We even had an entire military command based in Taipei for several decades, from the mid-1950s through the late 1970s. We've had a whole bunch of airplane squadrons stationed there over the years. We've had missile defense regiments there. Hell, we even had nukes over there for over a decade before.

And the Green Berets have been there before too, training the Taiwanese military as far back as the 1950s.

It wasn't until 1978 that we withdrew our troops from Taiwan, in light of the change in the US' approach to diplomatic relations with China.

1SFG has had a detachment of several teams rotating through Taiwan for nearly a decade; either a whole company or, just an ODA or, two at a time. Depending on the administration and the temperature of the political waters there (they've had to reckon with their own vulnerability as China continues their aggressive behavior) there's been a constant US presence there in some shape or, form.

Why would a Taiwanese paper have such a headline?

Surely the people living there would know the truth, so what is the point of printing such a lie?

A lot of troop locations/ duty stations is not much more than smoke and mirrors, and at times an effort to circumvent certain rules or troop limits. For example at times we had a self imposed cap on the number of troops “ stationed” or “deployed” to Afghanistan- however when we needed specialized help or a surge, without changing the “xxx number of troops deployed” people would show up on TDY orders. Technical loophole, as these TDY personnel don’t count against a total assigned strength.

And there is nearly zero difference between troops temporarily training in a country on a rotational basis at a given number, and a “permanent” base or assignment in practical terms.

A little more clarity.

US Army Special Forces To Be Deployed on Taiwanese Island Six Miles From Mainland China

https://sofrep.com/news/us-arm...from-mainland-china/

The United States has initiated a significant military collaboration with Taiwan, featuring the deployment of US Army Special Forces for ongoing training operations on the island.

Under the provisions of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. military advisors have started to take up permanent positions at the Taiwanese Army’s amphibious command centers in Kinmen and Penghu. Their mission involves regular training exercises alongside Taiwan’s elite forces.

A notable aspect of this cooperation has been the American Army Special Forces’ assistance in training their Taiwanese counterparts to use the Black Hornet Nano, a compact military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This collaboration also extends to the creation of operational guidelines and training manuals. The Taiwanese Aviation and Special Forces Command has proposed acquiring this micro drone directly from the U.S. through military sales avenues.

Since last year, the SOFLE has been operating out of a base in Taoyuan’s Longtan District, coordinating all U.S. special operations activities in Taiwan. This setup includes overseeing high-value equipment and training resources temporarily stationed on the island.

Su Tzu-yun, a defense strategy expert at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, highlighted the strategic value of this collaboration, pointing out the defensive prowess of the Green Berets. Their integration with Taiwan’s specialized amphibious reconnaissance units enhances the island’s capabilities to counter enemy incursions, with activities spanning several critical locations, including Kinmen, Matsu, Penghu, and the Tamsui River estuary.

This initiative marks a milestone in U.S.-Taiwan military relations, with Tsai Ing-wen acknowledging the permanent presence of U.S. troops in Taiwan for the first time in four decades in a 2021 CNN interview. The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense, while refraining from commenting on specific details, emphasized the goal of these exchanges to bolster Taiwan’s training, readiness, and institutional capabilities, in line with annual plans to ensure national and regional security.