I Am Soldier of Fortune

by Brown, Robert, Spencer, Vann

  SOF doesn’t shy away from taking a strong stand against the Pentagon, whether Republican or Democrat administrations are at the helm, nor point out the missteps which U.S. forces have gotten involved in.. Most of the intel we get is from the troops themselves who still rate SOFas the leading military-related journal in their arenas.

  Because of SOF’s finger-in-the-eye style of journalism, I have been loved, hated and ridiculed by those wimps who lacked the cojones to do it to my face. They know where to find me. But ultimately, all that never mattered. I figured it was a sign of achievement that SOF became a KGB and later a terrorist’s nemesis. As a matter of fact, I derived just as much pleasure by being a pain in the CIA’s butt. And screw the liberals or “pro-gressives,” especially members of the press whose reporters had no concept of military affairs and who became “experts” after a few days in a five-star hotel with an entourage of security and cameras. That is a dangerous game they play because their propaganda has led down the path to misguided wars and other foreign disasters.

  A case in point was the abysmal coverage of the Gulf War. Very few of those who had been accredited as correspondents had the faintest clue of the fundamentals of modern-day conflict. Another is the ongoing misjudg-ment of rebels we are supporting in Egypt, Iraq, Syria and other current hot spots. That misjudgment is going to come back to bite us in the ass as many of those rebels are terrorist-affiliated and will use us and spit us out just as the Taliban who we trained in the first Afghan war have done.

  The mainstream media has been a vicious foe to us, but some of its members have also proven to be valuable allies. Joseph Goulden, a former deputy-director at Accuracy In Media, a conservative watchdog organiza tion, admitted that he regularly read the magazine. “They report on events at a depth you don’t find anywhere else . . . and I can’t see myself spending a comparable amount of time with Time just to see what [its chief political correspondent] happens to think. I just don’t care that much,” he stated in an interview in the publishing trade magazine Folio.

  Then there was the Detroit Free Press, which gave us kudos for blasting right-wing militias for their extremist views in an article titled “Leading the Charge”: “Lately, in columns and articles, Brown’s magazine has been attacking domestic terrorist; as enemies of liberty (and as a director of the NRA) of law-abiding gun owners.” Soldier of Fortune, it said, had devoted long articles to debunking two widespread myths that were then being promulgated by militia-type conspiracy theorists. The first of these was that a fleet of black helicopters had been readied for use as part of a crazy New World Order by UN storm troopers or American soldiers under UN command. The other was that a train of flatbed cars carrying UN tanks and armored cars had been sighted in Montana.

  I found it highly amusing that many of the members of the main stream media paraded through my office as we were about to attack Iraq and Afghanistan to pick my brain for what I knew about the players and terrain we were about to face. That could only mean that they had been reading SOF from the get-go. I was glad to oblige and have actually made some fine friends as well as enemies in the media.

  I have met dozens of generals, a king, enough con artists, crooks, thugs and shysters to fill a large island where they should all be exiled together. I have been welcomed to the most exotic and forbidden war zones and met some of the world’s toughest and most effective operators and officials, plus a fair share of just plain killers.

  I have lived long enough to see the nemesis of most Vietnam vets, that ANTI-WAR traitor turned warmonger of convenience, John Kerry, be come Secretary of State in a twist of fate I would have never imagined and can barely swallow.

  But the enduring rewards have come from interacting with those hun dreds of fine young men who grew up on SOF and whose decision to serve our country came from reading the adventures and non-stop action that we provided. Heroes-turned-authors like the late Chris Kyle, author of American Sniper, Major Rusty Bradley, author of The Lions of Kandahar, just to name a couple, told me that SOF was a primary motive in their de cision to join the military. Hollywood action figures like Governor Schwarzenegger, Don Johnson, Sylvester Stallone, Clint Eastwood, Lee Marvin graced the covers of SOF. Sly even based one of his Rambo movies on a theme SOFgave him when he called the office.

  For the last nearly four decades, I’ve been humping a rifle and a camera around the world’s combat zones. I’ve hunted terrorists with the Rhodesian African Rifles and fired up a Russian fort in Afghanistan with the Mu-jahideen. I’ve searched for POWs in Southeast Asia and survived a San-dinista rocket barrage alongside Nicaraguan contras. In between firefights, takeovers and insurgencies, I’ve managed to put out a magazine. I’ve been doing it for 38 years, and I’ll keep doing it until my luck runs out.

  It’s been a hell of a ride and as long as tyrants continue to pollute the environment, and I am still kicking, I march on with my mission. I have a few regrets and made a lot of mistakes but make no apologies. And I will continue to follow my long time motto; “Slay Dragons, Do Noble Deeds, and Never, Never, Never, Never Give Up.”

  Vietnam 1968. SOF publisher Robert K. Brown, then serving as an S-2 officer with the 1st Infantry Division. Photo courtesy Robert K. Brown

  John Paul Vann, examining a MAC SMG as Mitch WerBell looks on. Photo courtesy Robert K. Brown

  John Paul Vann observing a Special Forces soldier firing an M16 with Sionics suppressor. Photo courtesy Robert K. Brown

  Captain Brown, Team Leader of A-334, Tong Le Chon, South Vietnam, 5 klicks from the Cambodian border, takes a break with his pet monkey at his camp sometime in 1969. Brown found his long sought posi - tion the most challeng ing but most reward ing time of his life. And special thanks goes to Special Forces Lt. Col. Michael Lanter, who assigned him to that position. SOF archives

  Photo of RKB at the height of his military career while a Special Forces Team Leader taken in Saigon.

  “Special Forces Master Sergeant James Lyons, my Team Sergeant, just back from an operation. In the background, at the rear of the CH-47, is my Intell Sergeant, Sergeant First Class Fletcher Blocksum. Lyons, an excep tional soldier, held my hand through my tour at A-334; took over command when I got hit by mortar frag - ments. I was blessed with an incredibly outstand ing team of NCO’s and junior officers. What an exhilarating experience!" RKB

  Sergeant First Class Robert Bernard, RKB’s team medic, with two Montagnards, prior to leaving on an operation from Team A-334, Tong Le Chon, South Vietnam. Bernard patched RKB when he got hit with mortar fragments. RKB

  RKB on Rhodesian safari in 1976. On left, safari outfitter Grigorio Grasselli, who paid off the terrorists who murdered a Rhodesian farmer on whose land RKB and Donovan were hunting. On right is RKB with his recently deceased Kudu. SOF archives

  Rhodesian Army personnel and SOF ’ers pose for a photo during ops before the elections in March 1980 that resulted in terrorist Robert Mugabe being elected. Top row from left to right: First three troopers unknown, RKB, with .45 and Ruger Mini-14 he smuggled to Rhodesia, former French Foreign Legionaire Jerry O’Brien, Craig Nunn. Bottom row from left to right: Unknown trooper, “Reb” Pierce with MAG machine gun, Major Daryl Winkler, also with Ruger Mini-14 RKB smuggled to Rhodesia, and former Legionaire Yves DeBay who was recently KIA as a correspondent in Syria. SOF archives

  John Donovan, a Major in the U.S. Special Forces Re serve, on safari with RKB hunt ing two and four legged game in Rhodesia in 1976. RKB and Donovan could have taken out terrorists that killed a Rhodesian farmer but were thwarted by safari operator Grasselli who was paying off the terrorists. SOF archives

  Poster that ran in SOF that got RKB investigated by the FBI for allegedly violating the Neutrality Act. No law was violated as RKB, “. . . was simply making information available.” SOF was responsible for the majority of the 450 Americans serving in the Rhodesian military who enlisted. SOF archives

  On the hunt in South Africa, 1992, Donovan, on left, and RKB on right link up with agruably the most su
ccessful merc in the 20th century, in the middle, Frenchman Bob Denard, who essentially ruled the Comoros Islands for 11 years. SOF archives

  John Donovan, wearing the first latex Frankenstein mask seen in Rhodesia, in March 1980, terrorized the local help; did not wear it in hotel lobby, concerned he might get shot. SOF archives

  Robert K. Brown is congratulated by Col. Rut Komolvanich, Royal Thai Army Special Forces G-3, after receiving wings. SOF archives

  Thai balloon wings awarded to SOFers. SOF crew were 13th through 16th foreigners to have jumped the balloon. SOF archives

  RKB, Green Beret Nam vet and SOF reporter Jim Morris, SOF staffer and former Nam Green Beret medic Tom Reisinger, prepare for the spookiest jumps of their careers—from a Thai balloon. SOF archives

  Morris, severely wounded in Nam, reported for SOF from many of the world’s hotspots; author of the classic military action books . . . “War Story,” “FightingMen,” and “The Devil’s Secret Name.” Jim Morris archives

  Transporting goods in an open truck across Sarajevo gives new meaning to the term “mean streets.” Former Brit Army Leyland truck, still in U.N. white, provided little more than psychological cover for SOF ’s team of intrepid smugglers. SOF archives

  Don’t shoot at GOFRS fire/rescue workers when they’re saving lives, or you may find yourself in a firefight of a different stripe with honcho John Jordan. Jordan and his legendary M1A provide up close and personal prote tion for rescue workers who have enough to contend with without snipers. SOF archives

  SOF Publisher Bob Brown (right) helps GOFRS personnel in Sarajevo try on donated Scott Air-Paks, smuggled in for firefighters by SOF/RRI team. Courtesy Phil Gonzalez

  At a guerrilla jungle base in Surinam, SOF Assistant Special Projects Director, Derry Gallagher, left, RKB, and Robert MacKenzie pose with a homemade bomb they plan on dropping on a Surnamese patrol boat from a hijacked aircraft. Bomb did not explode. SOF archives

  RKB poses with guerrilla “bomber.” RKB brought in a three-man team of Rhodesian SAS veterans to conduct an assessment of what it would take to overthrow the Surinamese dictatorship. Could be done but SOF plotters could not raise the necessary $500,000. SOF archives

  RKB yuks it up with some French Foreign Legionnaires stationed in French Guiana, along with Derry Gallagher. Legionnaires offered to desert if we could guarantee combat. SOF archives

  SOF offered $100,000 reward to first Sandanista air crew to defect with their MI-24. Lt. Colonel Ollie North offered to come up with an additional $900,000. SOF archives

  On top of a Mafia-owned Havana hotel in the spring of 1959, from left to right: Commandante William Morgan, one of few American soldiers-of-fortune to fight with Fidel, holds Sterling submachine gun; next is one of his aides holding a Thompson; RKB, who did not fight with but supported the anti-Batista movement, much to his chagrin holds a Thompson, and American Jack Nordeen, whose polio disability did not hold him back, holds a Sten subgun. Morgan was executed for alleged counter-revolutionary activities by firing squad on 11 March 1961. SOF archives

  Ricardo Alarcon de Quesdada, Cuban Ambassador to the United Nations, condemns Soldier of Fortune before the U.N. Security Council, March 29, 1976. Alarcon, along with Somalia, Poland, India and the United Republic of Cameroon, complained about South African “aggression” in Angola. Of course, no mention was made of Cuban or Soviet intervention. SOF archives

  RKB, on far right, went wheel-to-wheel during the “Soldier of Fortune/Parts Pro Championship,” in Atlanta, 28 February 2000. RKB, who took second in his heat because smart ass Jim Fotis blew his engine trying to pass him. RKB insisted all drivers would receive trophies as he was determined to win one. SOF archives

  Bill Jones, right, played a significant role in RKB’s publishing career, as he lent him $800 in 1963 to publish his first book, “150 Questions for a Guerilla” by General Alberto Bayo. Bayo, a Spanish communist, trained Castro’s initial invasion force prior to landing in Cuba in December 1956. Left of Jones is Paul Fanshaw and RKB. Photo courtesy Marty Kufus

  SOF reporter Jim Coyne, left, and RKB hold a press conference detailing their investigation of the use of “yellow rain” by the communists in Laos at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. SOF archives

  In March of 1980, Vietnam vet Galen Geer penetrated into Afghanistan longer and farther than any reporter to that time. He brought out the first Russian AK-74 ammunition which was turned over to US intelligence. SOF archives

  Rhodesian Army foreign volunteers Brit Jerry O'Brien, American “Reb” Pierce, SOF 'er Tom Wilkenson, Major Daryl Winkler, American and former OIC of the Rhodesian Armored Regiment, RKB and SOF Art Director Craig Nunn between ops somewhere in Rhodesia. SOF archives

  At the Queen's Birthday Party, Bangkok, Thailand, 1982. From left to right: Intrepid SOF reporter and Nam door gunner, Jim Coyne; RKB, General Pichitir Kullavanijaya, and Tony Paul, Regional Correspondent for the Readers Digest. A friend of SOF, the good General arranged the invitations. SOF archives

  RKB in Rhodesia rides with ranch security personnel in the late ’70’s. SOF archives

  SOF’ers at ARCE Bn., Salvador, after returning from op in Gulf of Fonseca, Sept. 1984. Standing, left-to-right: Karl Kline, Paul Fanshaw, Robert MacKenzie, Harry Claflin, Carlos Cucualon, Larry Morton. Kneeling, left-to-right: unknown photographer, RKB and John Donovan. Photo courtesy Carlos Cucualon

  SOF reporter, Jim Coyne, Vietnam Huey door gunner vet, exults after firing a burst from a Russian heavy machine gun at a Russian fort during SOF ’s foray into Afghanistan in May 1982. RKB fired a British 1936 Stokes-Brandt mortar at the fort. SOF archives

  RKB, former Legionaire Paul Fanshaw and former Army Green Beret and Rhodesian Deputy Commander of the Gray Scouts inside Afghanistan in 1988. Came close to getting in a firefight with an Iranian contingent. SOF archives

  RKB, armed with a Russian Draganov sniper rifle poses with rebel Milan missile outside of Jalalabad in 1988. First photo proving the rebels had such sophisticated anti-tank systems to reach the West. SOF archives

  RKB loading round to fire at Afghan fort, May 1982. SOF archives

  SOF Demolitions Editor John Donovan poses with Hassan Gailani, a military commander of the moderate National Islamic Front, in Peshawar, Pakistan, in Septem ber 1980. A member of the SOF training team, Donovan ex plained to Gailani’s troops that they had to put fuses in the anti-tank mines to make them explode. How many Russian tanks were subse quently blown up will remain a mystery. SOF archives.

  Doctor John Peters, SOF Paramedic Editor and General Practitioner, led many medical missions to countries fighting communism. His most challeng ing jump was over the Cordilla Blanca Mountains after the earthquake in Peru in 1970; his most challenging mission with SOF was keeping RKB calm as they smuggled 5,000 rounds of AK-74 ammo to the American embassy in Islamabad. SOF archive.

  Dick Swan, CEO of the in novative Atlantic Re - search Systems, with RKB on the left and former Marine Carlos Cuculan on the right, at the Central America booth at the first SOF con vention in 1980. An out spoken anti-com munist, Swan was a strong supporter of SOF oper ations in El Salvador. SOF archives

  SOF convention speakers, bottom row from left-to-right: G. Gordon Liddy, Major General John Singlaub and General William Westmoreland. SOF archives

  Medal of Honor recipient Fred Zabitosky holds SOF’s Bull Simmons Memorial award at 1981 SOF convention in Scottsdale, Arizona. Zab played a major role in SOF ’s POW search in S.E. Asia. SOF archives

  RKB congratulates Hmong General Vang Pao, who was a guest of honor at the first SOF convention held in Columbia, Missouri, Sep tember 1980. At the right is master of ceremonies, SOF ’s Demo litions Editor, Major John Donovan. SOF archives

  Photo taken in SOF ’s Sukhumvit Road apartment, summer 1982. From right, Bill Young, Bob Brown, “Col.” Bounleut, and “Sam.” SOF archives

  At the Small Arms Research Center of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) outside of Beijing; the late Bob MacKenzie with a Type 81
light machine gun in caliber 7.62x39mm, Peter G. Kokalis, SOF ’s Technical Editor, with a Type 67 light machine gun in caliber 7.62x54R, and LtCol Robert K. Brown, USAR (Ret.) with a Type 69 40mm grenade launcher (a copy of Soviet RPG-7) with its unique bipod. In the background is a Type 77 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun. SOF archives

  SOF sent a team of veterans as advisors/trainers to Croatia in December 1992, the first of many. Colonel Mike Peck, highly decorated Vietnam veteran described by General Henry Emerson as “. . . the best combat officer I ever had,” Colonel Alex McColl, two tour Viet vet, Major John Donovan, demolition expert, Peter Kokalis, one of the world's top experts on automatic weapons. RKB, Major Robert MacKenzie, Viet Nam vet, Rhodesian SAS 10 veteran subsequently KIA in Sierra Leone, and Nick Dodich, liaison between SOF and the Croatians. SOF archives