Joseph D. Celeski

Colonel Joseph D. Celeski, USA (ret.),  was formerly a Senior Fellow of FPRI’s National Security Program.  He served a 30-year career with the U.S. Army before retiring in September, 2004 after successful completion of commanding the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He assumed command of the Group in May 2002 in Afghanistan where he also served as the commander of the Combined and Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF) for two tours in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. He is currently a contributing writer and Senior Research Fellow to the Joint Special Operations University in Hurlburt Field, Florida. His published works include articles on Special Forces in Somalia, the use of Special Forces in joint urban combat, and a book on Counterinsurgency in the 21st Century.