“Quiet Professionals” from around the world are coming to Tampa Bay. It’s all about ‘Safety and Security.’

“Quiet Professionals” from around the world are coming to Tampa Bay.  It’s all about  ‘Safety and Security.’
By Jack Pagano
jack@thetampapost.com

Tampa, FL- Every May Tampa rolls out the red carpet for SOF-Special Operations Forces.  A dynamic 4-day event, 6 May-9 May 2024 at the Tampa Convention Center and J.W. Marriott. This year’s goal: showcase America’s elite fighting military force that “keeps America safe.”

“SOF Week 2024” will be much different than what was showcased last year. Organizers say the improvements will excite and engage everyone attending the event.  More than 18,000 have registered with 700 exhibitors at the convention center and J.W. Marriott hotel across the street.  This expansion includes Special Operation Forces from many countries. That is new.  Army Colonel Robert McDonald has been planning for the event for more than a year.  He’s SOCOM’s (Special Operations Command) lead planner for “SOF Week 2024” and he’s motivated about what will be presented.  He says, “Dynamic speakers will engage and collaborate.” Speakers include the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen CQ Brown, Jr., SOCOM’s commander, Army GEN Bryan Fenton, and retired Navy Admiral William McRaven.  They’ll talk about the past and the unpredictable future.

“SOF Week 2024” 6 May-10 May 24.  ARMY COL James O’Brien (left), COO of Global SOF Foundation Meaghan Keeler (center), and Army COL Robert McDonald (right)) get ready to answer reporter questions at SOF’s public affairs event. 3 May 24 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Meaghan Keeler, COO of Global SOF Foundation, pointed out that 500 new exhibitors will have a great opportunity to showcase their capabilities to the SOF community.

Army COL James O’Brien, SOCOM’s Director of J3I talked about a capabilities demonstration that will take place on Wednesday 8 May.  In years past, the Tampa community comes out and watches SOF in action.

O’Brien says they’re adding an international flavor to this year’s visual demonstration. International countries will partake in the demonstration.  “It’s a joint team effort. 11 countries with 20 different vehicles and platforms using cutting-edge technology.”  A fictional war game scenario. O’Brien says the demonstration pits, “The Mayor of Tampa aligning with US SOCOM forces and allies against a threat from St. Petersburg.  Maritime assets and cybersecurity experts will be part of the fictional war game.

“SOF Week 2024” 6 May- 10 May 2024.  A SOF soldier at a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan.  (photo by Jack Pagano)

The live demonstration will show SOF in action but according to McDonald, there’ll be panel discussions and conversations about the value of SOF partnerships…  After all, it is all about partnerships.   The exhibit hall will be organized into functional zones. McDonald says these zones will be user-friendly.  The Tampa Convention Center exhibit hall is open 10 AM-5 PM, on May 7^th and 8th.   10 AM-3 PM on Thursday, 9 May. That night the SOF community will cap off  SOF week 2024 with the annual awards dinner.

McDonald hopes this year’s SOF event will be memorable. “The event brings a lot of folks together across the globe from the SOF community and allows everyone to engage.  The future of Special Operations is all about engaging, training, and learning from our allies across the globe.  ‘The Quiet Professional’ is all about Safety and Security.  We are prepared for the next conflict, the next crisis, the next global problem.”

“SOF Week 2024” Tampa 6 May-10 May 2024.  ARMY COL James O’Brien (left), COO of Global SOF Foundation Meaghan Keeler (center), and Army COL Robert McDonald (right)) talk about May 8^th’s SOF live demonstration. 3 May 24 (photo by Jack Pagano)

 Jack Pagano is a retired Army field grade officer with many decades of Information Operations experience and currently working remotely in the USA as COO/Strategist for one of Afghanistan’s biggest Radio/TV networks.  His current mission is getting out Afghan journalists he trained, and mentored who are stuck, stranded under the Sharia-driven Taliban.