The Armed Forces of the Philippines Special Operations Command (AFPSOCOM) is the unified special operations command of the AFP. It is responsible for planning, conducting, and supporting special operations. Although the current command was established in April 2018, the date marked as the official anniversary of AFPSOCOM is January 16, 1978 - the same date the Philippine Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWABde) was organized, to which AFPSOCOM traces its origins. History The AFPSOCOM traces its roots to the Philippine Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWABde) that was organized in January 1978. The Army Special Warfare Brigade was the first attempt to unify the specialties of two army units with the most highly trained personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Special Forces and the Scout Rangers, and structure their collective efforts into a highly effective army unit. Disbanded in 1986, it was reactivated as the Philippine Army Special Operations Command (PA-SOCOM) in 1995. It has been headquartered in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija since its reactivation, and was expanded in 2004 to accommodate the then newly activated Light Reaction Company. On April 6, 2018, the PA-SOCOM was elevated to an Armed Forces combatant command and became the AFPSOCOM. The AFP Joint Special Operations Group (AFP-JSOG) was also disbanded and its officers, enlisted personnel and units was transferred to form the core of the new command. The units transferred from the AFP-JSOG included not just the Light Reaction Regiment, but also the Naval Special Operations Group and the 710th Special Operations Wing. The AFP-JSOG K-9 Platoon was also included into the new command. Mission The mission of the AFPSOCOM is to plan, conduct and support special operations in all operational environments in support of the fundamental missions of the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines. Core capabilities SOCOM forces are employed based on the following core capabilities: Direct Action International and domestic Counter-terrorist Operations HVT Raids Humanitarian Assistance/ Disaster Response Sabotage Security Assistance Special Reconnaissance Unconventional Warfare Training The AFPSOCOM training regimen comprises different types of training. These training methods are employed to enhance the skills and abilities of the different units under the command. Basic Airborne Course Basic Naval Special Warfare Course Close Quarter Combat Training Combat Diver’s Course Jumpmaster Course Military Freefall Course Parachute Packing, Maintenance and Air Delivery Course Scout Ranger Target Interdiction Course Units The current AFP Special Operations Command is organized into: Scout Ranger Regiment