Pentagon beefs up US special forces

Special forces are trained to move at short notice

By Nick Childs BBC Pentagon correspondent

The Pentagon is planning to strengthen US special forces, and give them a greater role in the so-called "global war on terrorism".

Rumsfeld says troops have to respond to new threats

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he plans to ask for more money for the special forces in next year's defence budget.

Pentagon officials would not say by how much special forces will be expanded, but reports suggest that they will get an extra $1bn a year and 4,000 more personnel.

The special forces will also have an expanded ability to plan and execute missions.

'Need to adapt'

Mr Rumsfeld has been long pressing US commanders to think of new ways to respond more quickly and aggressively to new threats and tasks, including the hunt for al-Qaeda.

Navy Seals are among the best known US special forces

In making his announcement about boosting US special forces, he underlined a regular theme of his.

He said the US forces, which have been trained and equipped to fight conventional armies, navies and airforces, need to adapt to face new enemies.

The elite US special forces have played a prominent role in the US military campaign in Afghanistan and elsewhere since the 11 September attacks.

That role now looks set to expand further.

In a significant change, Mr Rumsfeld plans for Special Operations Command to have a greater role in running operations, rather than simply providing forces to support other US commands.