Why We Fight Now - ARSOF in GWOT

It's the "Overseas Contingency Operation" now, but ARSOF still does a lot of the work...

http://www.whywefightnow.com/main.html
http://www.soc.mil/SF/VIDEO/FIGHT.htm

RELEASE NUMBER: 081002-03A
DATE POSTED: OCTOBER 2, 2008
PRESS RELEASE: USASFC(A) premiers new documentary

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Oct. 2, 2008) — The United States Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) held a movie premier screening of a new documentary entitled, “Why We Fight Now - The Global War on Terror” last night, here at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
poster

The event was hosted by the Commanding General, USASFC(A), Brig. Gen. Michael S. Repass. Dignitaries that were present included Tony Rand, N.C. State Senator, Tony Chavonne, Mayor - city of Fayetteville, Mr. Tommy Bolton, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, along with the Commanding General of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Lt. Gen. Robert Wagner, Maj. Gen John Mulholland who recently relinquished command of U.S. Central Command’s Special Operations Command, and the Commanding General of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Maj. Gen. Thomas Csrnko.

“For the benefit of our nation and the world, it is time that the truth be known about the United States Army Special Forces- who we are, what we do- and what great potential we bear for the advancement of freedom, peace and stability across the world,” said Repass. “Though Special Forces have been traditionally known as the ‘Quiet Professionals,’ we can no longer afford to be the ‘Silent Professionals.’ For the military and diplomatic ‘challenges of our time,’ this story must be told.”

About the Movie

Remembering the famed Director Frank Capra’s ground breaking World War II film series, entitled “Why We Fight”, this new program is an original and innovative documentary produced for the United States Army Special Forces by Frank Capra Jr. and Cape Fear Filmworks, in association with EUE Screen Gems Studios. It was directed by filmmaker Mark Benjamin.*
csrnko and repass
Maj. Gen. Thomas Csrnko, Commanding General, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, and Brig. Gen. Michael S. Repass, Commanding General, U.S. Army Special Forces Command, in conversation during the reception following the premiere of the documentary, "Why We Fight - Now" last night at Fort Bragg, N.C. (Photo courtesy of USASFC(A) Public Affairs Office)

This documentary was Capra, Jr.’s last movie, as he died shortly after production was complete. Prior to his death, he filmed an introduction for the movie that details its link to his father’s film series, while explaining how Army Special Forces are currently engaging America’s enemies around the globe.

“This may be one of the most important films to come out on winning the global war on terror, the fight of this generation, the challenge of our time,” said Capra Jr. when describing the impact of this movie.

One of the primary goals for the video project is to educate audiences about U.S. Army Special Forces’ roles in current and future fights. For over 50 years, U.S. Army Special Forces have conducted missions in support of the indirect approach, such as unconventional warfare and foreign internal defense. While Army Special Forces have also performed other core missions, such as direct action and special reconnaissance, it is clearly the force of choice to conduct unconventional warfare and foreign internal defense due to it mastery of those missions as indicated by its experience.

Informing audiences about Special Forces commanding prominence in these missions may assist in sustaining the force in the years to come. SF will accomplish this by encouraging long term predictable support for its forces during its high operational tempo in this time of persistent conflict.

In this video, we get a very rare and comprehensive view into who Green Berets really are, why they fight, and how they are uniquely qualified and appropriate as a military and diplomatic force to represent our nation to the world. We also see how they effectively join together with groups, nations, military and government leaders worldwide against the tyranny of insurgency and in the conduct the war on terror.
flaman and anderson
Lt.Col. (ret.) William Flaman and Col. (ret.) Andy Anderson, both former special forces Soldiers, discuss the film, "Why We Fight - Now," during the reception following the premiere last night at Fort Bragg, N.C. (Photo courtesy of USASFC(A) Public Affairs Office)

True to their motto - De Oppresso Liber - TO FREE THE OPPRESSED, their primary focus is to build trust with the local populace and to bond together with them and their nations to fight against and vanquish our common enemies.

These warrior-diplomats are constantly on the move, deploying across the globe to nearly 100 countries annually. At the invitation of foreign Ambassadors, they train the military forces of other nations to defend their own people and their own freedom.

They learn language, customs and culture and earn a special kinship with the people of other lands. They facilitate civil assistance projects and responsive governance- they provide vital medical and veterinary aid. And by helping people to help themselves and by offering them some means and hope for a better way of life, they are also helping to protect America.

This film is about those men, as told from the Special Forces Soldier’s perspective, who protect our country and the world from the specter and stranglehold of insurgency and from the tyranny of global terror.

In World War II, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall recalled the Academy Award winning director Frank Capra back to active duty military service to produce what would become known as "Why We Fight" film series to inform new Soldiers of why they were called upon to fight in an overseas war, and why it was so important for our nation and our world at peril.

In this film, with conviction and clarity, Green Berets tell the audience in their own words, Why We Fight Now, in The Global War on Terror.

*Editor's note: Release updated Nov., 26, 2008 to include director's name.

--usasoc--