Special Ops is a series from Concord Publications which puts together articles by various well known authors on the Elite Forces of the world as well as SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Units.

For their 33rd (!) issue, they have dedicated the complete issue to Task Force Danger, the Big Red One in Iraq. This article is written by Ralph Zwilling and illustrated with 216 color photos, not counting numerous badges, clips, and maps.

The photos are clear and tell much more about the soldier than the one or two the public comes across while reading a newspaper. They depict the common soldier’s duties as Ralph followed them around.

The text is very informative and reads like a daily journal, covering the occurrences of the day as well as the logistics planning.

The photo captions are detailed and explain well what is illustrated. Small bits of information are released such as being informed that the subject of a photo was killed in action a while later.

Ralph’s writing style is direct and to the point. The English is good with very few typographical errors. It is always a pleasure when text is written by someone familiar with the subject and this has been one of Special Ops strong points.

Vehicles covered in the photos include:

M2A2 ODS
M1A1 AIM
M109A3
M992A2 FAASV
M577A2 CPC
M1114 HMMWV
M113A3
M998 HMMWV
M1116 HMMWV
M1026 ASK
M93A1 Fox
M270
M1070 HETS
D7 Bulldozer
UH-60L (think MRC in the ‘armor’ scale)
M88A1
M1117 Guardian ASV (by Cadillac Gage)
M109
M978 HEMTT
M923A2
M1075 PLSM994A1
AH-64A
Some specialized Mine Detection and Detonation Vehicles

All the personal and crew weapons are covered in the text so this alone makes this issue a valuable reference for those using the latest figure releases from Warriors, Think One Eighty and Alpine Miniatures.

An excellent addition to any modeler interested in OIF.