The United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) was established on December 1, 1989, to oversee the Army's special operations forces. It commands elite units such as the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command. USASOC's origins trace back to World War II-era special operations, but it became a unified command to enhance effectiveness in unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, and special reconnaissance. Since its creation, USASOC has played a vital role in major conflicts, including the Gulf War, operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and ongoing global counterterrorism missions.