WZD#24 – Bad Ass Special Operations Unit

War Zone Diary#24 – Bad Ass Special Operations Unit takes over my Twitter account

Hey All, there’s a unit I linked up with in Ukraine comprised of Veteran U.S., U.K. and Norwegian Special Forces guys who have an excellent story to tell you. Actually, it’s ongoing, meaning they are fighting right now as we speak (Mar 30, 2022).

 

I’m going to post up some stuff about them here, but please understand they want complete anonymity. They are complying with the Ukraine MODs press guidance for operational security and have an SSO. They sanitize their photos (though some identifiers are still left) by #1 blacking out their faces, #2 generifying the data in some posts, and #3 removing location data and/or delaying posts until they are not in the same location(s).

Please follow them on Twitter @RipRawlings, Instagram, FaceBook and TikTok to get updates up to the minute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some basics they provided, because I know you’ll ask:
1). Who are you?
+We’re all former special forces from our countries. We varied in rank from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant. We were in our Nation’s Army and Marine Corps. For now we’re going by Tourist #1 through Tourist #12. Tourists #1 & 2 are both Squad Leaders. Tourist #9 is our medic. Tourist #3 is one of our snipers. We’ll tell you more later.
2). What units were you with?
+Varied, but we’re not ready to release that. We may have more info about our units soon.
3). What are your specialties?
+Varied, but reconnaissance, we have two former snipers, one of us is a missile-man/AT gunner, and most of us have demo training.
4). Why are you doing this?
+Slava Ukraini. That means “Glory to Ukraine.” We believe that statement. We believe Ukraine was a peaceful nation, it had it’s flaws, but they didn’t deserve to get attacked by Russia. The innocent lives we’ve seen smashed in our 4-weeks in Ukraine have proven to us we were right. Russia has committed horrendous atrocities and they need to be repelled and held accountability. That’s it. We are pissed that the world let it come to this.
5). What do you think of <Insert political leaders name here> behavior during this conflict.
+We don’t do politics. The innocent lives here don’t do politics. We just care about doing our part to right this terrible wrong.
6). What are you up to next?
+So, obviously we can’t talk about operations, but we’re assigned to a Ukrainian SOF unit and we’re kicking ass. I think you’ll get the gist of what we’re up to on Twitter. Our brother in arms, Lt Colonel Rip Rawlings is helping us with equipment shortages and to stay up to date; sending us questions from any legit people around the world who ask. We don’t mind getting the stories of our compatriots out to people, we think recording this war is important. The Russians have done a LOT of evil shit and we want to kick them in the junk and let the world see it and record their war crimes against the innocent people of Ukraine. All in all, we’re pretty damn busy on a daily basis. We’ll send pictures and small updates as we can.

Thanks for following us and sharing!
See you on the battlefield.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Hey, Rip here, I’m in touch with the guys 4 or 5 time daily. They’ll basically be in control of my Twitter for a week or more. Some days/hours they are completely off the net and won’t be on Twitter or other social media, just FYI. I’ll also post some of their longer stories, pix and random musings from the battlefield on Twitter when they email me something. If you have a question, post it on Twitter and they’ll see it and answer when they can. Some of their pix will be up to a few days old so they don’t expose their location. Post up a note here if you have a question for me.

 

 

23 Comments

  1. Nate on April 5, 2022 at 7:22 am

    Slava ukraine and thank you all for what your doing.

  2. Snorre on April 5, 2022 at 8:43 am

    Great initiative. Hope they can keep using your Twitter account as long as ops ongoing. Thank you, from Norway

  3. Annmarie on April 5, 2022 at 9:47 am

    Thank you for what you are doing, it is incredible. We see the worst of humanity in this war, but also the best in you guys and the Ukrainians. May God hold you in the palm of his hands…while you kick ass!

  4. Andy on April 5, 2022 at 9:57 am

    Thank you for what you are doing! People like you are making this world a better place not just for us, but for future generations. The evil committed by Russia cannot be ignored. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are in my prayers <3
    Andy from Romania

  5. Ian Woolf on April 5, 2022 at 10:43 am

    You guys are heroes!
    Mr. Rawlings I’m producing a tv series for STARZ right now Black Mafia Family. Would love to talk with you about obtaining the rights to tell this story in a streaming television. Format.
    Please email me a number where I can reach you – [email protected] so we can discuss further.
    Best!

  6. Peter Anderson on April 5, 2022 at 12:02 pm

    4). Why are you doing this?
    +Slava Ukraini. That means “Glory to Ukraine.” We believe that statement

    And the free world stands with you, Slava Ukraini!

  7. Daniel on April 5, 2022 at 4:12 pm

    I saw one picture. I still see it whenever I close my eyes. And it’s still there when I open them again. I wish I haven’t seen it. Please. Kill them all. Every fucking last one of them.

  8. Sparrow Ivy on April 5, 2022 at 5:02 pm

    Sent donation today. I also have cbr suits, forest and desert camo, mostly large, some extra large US issue, bvds and Israeli and some Soviet gas masks and filters. Willing to send. My dime.

    Probably some old MREs as well. Not much of those but aome.

    • Teresa Rodríguez on April 5, 2022 at 7:21 pm

      Dear Sparrow Ivy :
      It’s possible that you sell me the equipment you have, my husband is in the front and he nerd equipment. please contact me
      [email protected]

  9. C. Avery Braico on April 5, 2022 at 7:07 pm

    It’s good to know that while we live our mundane lives, and struggle with our first world problems, that we walk this earth in the company of giants… heroes of legend reborn in our time. Bringing balance back to the scales of inequity. Our family will give what we can to help. You’re an inspiration to us all.

  10. Avery on April 5, 2022 at 7:08 pm

    It’s good to know that while we live our mundane lives, and struggle with our first world problems, that we walk this earth in the company of giants… heroes of legend reborn in our time. Bringing balance back to the scales of inequity. Our family will give what we can to help. You’re an inspiration to us all

  11. Iceman on April 5, 2022 at 7:09 pm

    You are warriors of justice!

  12. Eric on April 6, 2022 at 12:09 pm

    Since reading ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ in high-school I idealized the people from all over the world who went to Spain to join the International Brigades and fight against facism and terror. You guys are 21st century Robert Jordans. Fighting purely for an ideal epitomizes bravery. Hold true to the ideals that brought you there. Show mercy when you are able. Let us know how we can help. Know that you are honored.

  13. Eric H. on April 7, 2022 at 9:48 am

    The Ukrainian people – through their courage and strength of character – demonstrated right from the start of this war that they’re deserving of freedom. They deserve all the help the free world can give.

    You guys are doing what so many of us wish we could do and if all I can do is throw the occasional funds your way, I’ll have to content myself with that.

    Stay safe, and give ’em hell!

  14. Anders on April 7, 2022 at 3:09 pm

    Thank you for helping the Ukranians remove the invader trash. It is so incredibly courageous you going there and fighting for another country’s freedom and survival. I go to sleep every night imagining how the equipment I help sponsor generates lots of pain for the russians.

    Institutions I grew up trusting, NATO, EU and the UN have all failed miserably with slow, inadequate and cowardly responses to this unreal invasion. The world needs people like you, like the baltics, like the Polish and the Czech to show the path of right, truth and honour.

    Keep it up, stay safe and be really proud of yourselves. Slava Ukraini – and the dozen!

  15. John on April 8, 2022 at 4:13 am

    Our planet is better without the kremlin and those that support Putins criminals. We all wish we could do more to help. You are fighting thugs with no morals or regard for human life for all of our freedom. Good luck and best wishes proud friends. We will help as we can.

  16. фашистам черномазой америки on April 8, 2022 at 12:14 pm

    что ублюдки фашисты черномазой америки и их фашистское бандеровское , пока еще на русской земле, Россия встала и пошла по миру…вскоре вы вся черномазая сша будете уничтожены…пидарня…для вас у Бога одно наказание – смерть…дрожи мразь черномазой америки…Посейдон скоро придет в гости и Кинжалы прилетят

  17. Would Like to Donate on April 9, 2022 at 12:43 pm

    How can we donate to these guys? Can you post how to Donate please?

  18. Eternal slowburner to you and your bastard children on April 9, 2022 at 6:30 pm

    May you, your parents and your children eternally burn in hell for every Russian boy or girl you touch. Filthy NATO terrorist cunts. For your jingoism, ignorance and arrogance you deserve to be maimed so badly that people cross the other side of the street when they see the sight of you.

    • Russ on April 10, 2022 at 3:45 pm

      Think you got this wrong, it’s the soviet (russian/chechen/wagner) army that harms, rapes and kills children. Evidence is currently being collected, perpetrators are being identified by UA intelligence. Ukranians and the international legion are fighting the russian invasion into Ukraine, only kids there are the 17 year old conscripts from remote parts of russia who mainly serve their country as cannon fodder.

  19. Marie on April 11, 2022 at 5:56 pm

    Until you can get PayPal straightened out, you can open a crypto wallet. I personally would send some $. 🙏❤️

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