SOF & Irregular Warfare Symposium 2026
The 15th Annual SOF & Irregular Warfare Symposium will bring together senior leaders, experts, and strategic decision makers from across the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community, regional combatant commands, the DoW, industry, and academia.
The symposium will examine unconventional and hybrid warfare strategies alongside current operational challenges facing the SOF enterprise. With AI, autonomy, and technology integration included in the program, discussions will consider how emerging capabilities can support SOF modernization and operations in contested environments.
Other areas of discussion will include capability development, strategic acquisition, information operations, cyber and space integration, regional geopolitics, and the role of SOF in current and future irregular warfare.
When is the SOF & Irregular Warfare Symposium?
The SOF & Irregular Warfare Symposium 2026 will take place December 9–10, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.
Themes
The 2026 program will examine asymmetric deterrence and special operations readiness in contested environments, maintaining SOF technological and operational capabilities, and the delivery of new technology through strategic acquisition.
Technology-focused discussions will address AI and autonomy at the tactical edge, the acceleration of new technologies for special operations forces, and the integration of cyber, space, and special warfare capabilities.
The symposium will also examine operations in the information domain, the relationship between SOF strategy and regional geopolitics, and lessons from past and current conflicts for the future of irregular warfare.
What’s On?
The symposium will provide presentations and discussions addressing the current state of the SOF enterprise, evolving global conflicts, operational challenges, modernization priorities, and emerging technologies.
Attendees will have opportunities to hear from senior-level speakers and participate in interactive discussions. The program also provides time for attendees from the military, federal government, industry, academia, and the wider SOF community to meet and discuss capability requirements and operational priorities.
Attendance and Access
The symposium is open and complimentary to DoW and Federal employees and is described as an educational training forum and widely attended gathering. Industry and academia attendees are charged an admission fee.
The event operates under the Chatham House Rule. Press and recordings are not permitted.
Speakers
The 2026 speaker program includes HON Derrick M. Anderson, Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations & Low-Intensity Conflict, and HON Daniel Zimmerman, Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary of War for Policy.
Other featured speakers include Col Ian Fletcher, USMC, SOUTHCOM Autonomous Warfare Command; COL Anthony Whitfield, USA, Military Deputy, SOF AT&L, U.S. Special Operations Command; COL Leilani Tydingco-Amarante, USA, PEO SOF Digital Applications; Col Lane Haubelt, USAF, PEO Fixed Wing; and Jennifer Powers, PEO Tactical Information Systems.
The program also includes Col Sasha Kuhlow, USMC, Commanding Officer, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group; Lisa Sanders, former Director, Science & Technology, SOF AT&L, U.S. Special Operations Command; Leslie Babich, Director, SOFWERX; Jonathan Schroden, Chief Research Officer, CNA; and David Spirk, Senior Counselor, Palantir and former Department of War & U.S. Special Operations Command CDO.
Where is the SOF & Irregular Warfare Symposium 2026?
The symposium will be held at:
Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation
124 South Franklin Street
Tampa, Florida 33602
To learn more about SOF & Irregular Warfare Symposium 2026, to register to attend or exhibit, please click below .
