Special Operations Forces like to be known as the “Quiet Warriors.” Yet, it was anything but quiet Wednesday as special forces teams from several countries held a “hostage rescue” demonstration as part of the International Special Operations Forces Week in Tampa.
“Obviously getting to fire a 50 caliber was pretty cool, the ultimate boy-toy,” Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said after volunteering to be the “hostage” during a mock rescue by dozens of special operations forces.
Arriving in fast boats and unloading with weapons drawn, the international team stormed a fake village built in front of the Tampa Convention Center for the exercise. They retrieved the mayor, returned to the boats and sped off down the channel.
“It is a lot of fun, more importantly I got to be with these guys and I got to see what they do first hand,” Buckhorn said after returning to the dock.
Admiral William McRaven, head of the U.S. Special Operations Command based at MacDill, praised Buckhorn and the city for their support of the military.
“This is as good as it gets,” McRaven told reporters after the mock exercise. “As you know, we’ve got folks from over 90 different countries here, really spectacular.”
McRaven said about 8,000 special operations members and industry representatives are participating in the 2012 International Special Operations Forces week in Tampa.
You can watch as the special forces team "rescues" Mayor Buckhorn who is dressed in khaki pants, a black shirt and cap.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T-XdRcUk0Q&list=UUsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg&index=1&feature=plcp
