Major General Mari K. Eder, USA (Retired) Another US officer fell into the hands of the Russians, Admiral Eric Olson captured in Azovstal, a Facebook user wrote. A viral claim suggesting that United States General Eric Olson was captured by Russian troops at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol is found to be untrue. Fact #3 : Photo Was Taken In Luhansk One Month Earlier. [5] At four-star flag rank, Olson was the highest-ranking Navy SEAL to hold the Bull Frog title. Olson has participated in several conflicts and contingency operations, and has served as a SEAL platoon commander, BUD/S instructor, strategy and tactics development officer and joint special operations staff officer. If Russian forces did indeed capture Admiral Olson, they would have paraded him on Russian TV, just like they did with two British volunteers they captured Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin. Claiming that the image being used to fuel the baseless claim dates back to April 14, 2022, the outlet said it was taken weeks before the and the surrender of Ukrainian soldiers to Russian military. The caption did not mention any Americans, nor did it reference Mariupol. In this position, he assists the CSO with responsibility to organize, train, and equip space forces; develop and acquire military space systems; and . As a result of his confirmation, he has been elevated to the rank of colonel. Such extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and so far, there is ZERO evidence any NATO officer is present in Ukraine, never mind captured by Russian forces. : Alexis Tereszcuk is a writer and fact checker at Lead Stories andan award-winning journalist who spent over a decade breaking hard news and celebrity scoop with RadarOnline and Us Weekly. Please select all the ways you would like to hear from Lead Stories LLC: You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. These are the exact examples we need to showcase to the rest of the country and the world if we are going to mitigate the threat that climate pollution poses to our health and national security. He is currently the President and Managing Member of ETO Group, LLC. browser. content and messages you see on other websites you visit. Even if he was consulting the Ukrainians, he would have been evacuated in the first few days of the Russian invasion, if not earlier. According to a post made on Joint Chiefs of Staff website, Admiral Eric T. Olson, of U.S. Special Operations Commander, retired from the United States military in 2011. Colonel (Retired) Richard A. Pomager 6. Previously other high-ranking NATO personnel had been captured on the Ukrainian front by Russian troops. This image is only available in Getty Images offices in the United Kingdom, United States, Germany (Austria, Switzerland via Germany), Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. Rear Admiral Gene Kendall, USN (Retired) According to a police officer who spoke to the media, the attack was Snyder, who was remembered in his obituary as a "well-rounded student Rakhi Sawants boyfriend is six years younger: His family does not like the way I dress up. This was announced by Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenko . A news article was published on the Russian news site Ria.ru on April 14, 2022, with the headline, "'We won't forget, we won't forgive!' Optimieren Sie Ihren Workflow mit unserem erstklassigen Digitalen Asset Management System. can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the I-1631 is a practical first step that gives us the chance to pass on a cleaner safer world to our kids. I should also point out that Russian authorities did not claim to have captured any NATO officer in Ukraine. department for further clarification about your rights as a California consumer by using this Exercise My In fact, the only sources of these claims are a French blog, and random people on Twitter, Telegram and WhatsApp. Notable ideas. Photo by Staff Sgt. It opened: Rusko tvrd, e nkte ukrajint vojci v Azovstalu se dajn vzdali ruskm silm. and analytics partners. During Operation Outlaw, US Army (USA) Major General (MGEN) Eric T. Olson, Commander, Combined Joint Task Force 76 (CJTF-76), talks with local village elders, while on patrol with USA Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, in the Cehar Cineh area of Afghanistan, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. performance. See who is sharing it (it might even be your friends) and leave the link in the comments. He retired as a U.S. Army Major General. Alexis crime reporting earned her spots as a contributor on the Nancy Grace show, CNN, Fox News and Entertainment Tonight, among others. He subsequently served as the deputy director in the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office and as the chief of staff to the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. Let us know!. An official website of the United States Government, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Major General Jerry Harrison, USA (Retired) privacy request at our Do Not Sell page. A caption for the photo on the website said it showed Ukrainian prisoners in Luhansk. About 2,200 people were trapped in the basements of the huge Azovstal complex. They offer a basis for our behavior, and when in doubt, they give us a compass that will never let us down. Major General Maj. Gen. John M. Olson. Combined Joint Task Force - 76 (CJTF-76) was a US led subordinate formation of Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan (CFC-A) headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan. We also believe that compliance that leads us to silence in this instance would make us complicit with actions inconsistent with who we are and what we stand for as military veterans. General Johnie Wilson, USA (Retired) determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and Olson is currently serving as the Marine Corps representative to the Quadrennial Defense . Did Rapper Lil Keed Die From Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine?! Never mind a video clip, they dont even have an actual photo. You Here is a sample of claims that are circulating with these pictures : US Admiral Eric Olson (Highly decorated special ops commander) born in #Tacoma , Wa USA captured in #Azovstal #Mariupol #BREAKING. "IMPORTANT CLAIM Admiral Eric Olson, a former US Special Forces commander, is allegedly captured by the Russians at the #Azovstal steel mill in Ukraine," read the translation of another tweet. Mr. President, we urge you to adjust course consistent with our vital national security interests and your own unequivocal support for our men and women in uniform. The commander in charge of all Navy SEALs during Desert Storm, Ray Smith, hand picked Olson to be on his staff. The claim also suggested that apart from the U. Lead Stories is a U.S. based fact checking website that is always looking for the latest false, misleading, deceptive or By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Ambassador to the Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who testified against President Donald Trump during a democrat-led impeachment effort Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. Find Eric T. Olson stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. cookies (and the associated sale of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. Major General Gale S. Pollock, USA (Retired) These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a sale of your data under the CCPA. Major General Eric T. Olson, the commander of the 25th Infantry Division speaks to media during a ceremony marking the change of authority from the. With retraining, protections for state industries necessary to build new infrastructure like aluminum, steel, and concrete, and a comprehensive focus on effected communities, this can serve as an example to ease the transition and avoid the instability that can come from economic changes. Did Russian forces just capture former US special ops commander, Admiral Eric Olson in Azovstal, Ukraine?! A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website when visited by a He relinquished command of SOCOM to Admiral William H. McRaven the same day.[2]. Olson was promoted again in 1999 when he assumed command of Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California until August 2002 when he was relieved by Rear Admiral Albert M. Calland III. Olson is an Advisory Board Member of Spirit of America, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the safety and success of Americans serving abroad and the local people and partners they seek to help.[7]. It opened: This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing: (Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Tue May 17 19:02:52 2022 UTC), Using a reverse image search, the top photograph used in the post was found on the Russian state-controlled media site Sputnik Images. Lieutenant General Willie Williams, USMC (Retired) NATO mercenaries were arrested during these operations according to various sources, including US General Eric Olson, British Lieutenant Colonel John Bailey and four NATO instructors . Rights link. Rear Admiral Christopher Cole, USN (Retired) These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a sale of Since retirement from the Army, he has served as an adviser and mentor to US Army units and to the armed forces and ministries of defense of over 15 foreign nations. Previously other high-ranking NATO personnel had been captured on the Ukrainian front by Russian troops. If you opt out we will not be able to offer you personalised ads and Rear Admiral Michael E. Smith, USN (Retired) The event date of the image is shown as "14.04.2022" and the import date is shown as "14.04.2022," which is April 14, 2022. . Bearing in mind that it is impossible to prove that something does not exist (Russells teapot), I can safely say that there is NO EVIDENCE that Russian forces actually captured US Admiral Eric Olson in Azovstal. [3][4] In 1994, Olson became commander of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, an American counter-terrorism unit. In his 33-year military career, he has held several staff positions in joint, combined, and the Department of the Army staffs. Eric T. "Rick" Olson currently serves as an independent defense contractor, working with Army brigades and provincial reconstruction teams who are preparing for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. Institute for Defense & Business > Team Members > Executive Fellows 2012-2013 > Admiral Eric. US Admiral Eric Olson (Highly decorated special ops commander) born in. He lives in Lakeview, Washington. Snapshots of whats happening in the Defense Department. Fact #1 : Admiral Olson Retired More Than A Decade Ago. Although the ranks of "general" and "admiral" are considered equivalent across the branches, Olson was an admiral, as he served in the Navy. Please support us byvisiting our sponsors, participating in theTech ARP Forums, ordonating to our fund. T. Olson, USN (Ret.) He was also the 68th Commandant of Cadets at the United States Military Academy, West Point from 2000 to 2002. Colonel Eric T. Olson. tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. Olson retired from the United States Navy in 2011 after more than 38 years of military service. Click here toreadthe full text of Initiative 1631. Eric. More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking According to a post made on Joint Chiefs of Staff website, Admiral Eric T. Olson, of U.S. Special Operations Commander, retired from the United States military in 2011. Gen. Gregg P. Olson has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. JEFFREY MCCAUSLAND: It's a great pleasure to be joined today by Major General (Retired) Rick Olson, a good friend and retired general of the United States Army. Profitieren Sie von der globalen Reichweite, datengesttzten Erkenntnissen und einem Netzwerk von ber 340.000 Content-Anbietern von Getty Images, die exklusiv fr Ihre Marke Inhalte erstellen. ", Another tweet from the same user read, "Unconfirmed : SURRENDERED: in #Azovstal US General Eric Olson British Lieutenant Colonel John Bailey and 4 #NATO military instructors. Certainly yes. For years, the most senior Generals and Admirals have told military veterans that comments about current policy should be left to others. Yes, Defense One can email me on behalf of carefully selected companies and organizations. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. use third-party cookies which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are! He has served operationally in an Underwater Demolition Team, SEAL Team, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team, Special Boat Squadron, and at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Olson earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School in 1985 and studied at the Defense Language Institute. Admiral Eric T. Olson salutes Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry at a ceremony at The Pentagon. "US Admiral Eric Olson (Highly decorated special ops commander) born in #Tacoma, Wa USA captured in #Azovstal #Mariupol #BREAKING," read a tweet with the image shared more than 2,000 times. Bhd. As the Entertainment Editor, she investigated Hollywood stories and conducted interviews with A-list celebrities and reality stars. Nowhere is this gap felt more immediately today than in Northern Syria, where U.S. forces are in the process of withdrawing from the area despite the violent consequences the decision will have on our Kurdish partners. Eric Olson reached the rank of major general in the U.S. Army before retiring from active duty in 2006. In fact, here are the reasons why it is virtually impossible for Russia to have captured him in the besieged Azovstal steelworks in Ukraine. The State Department declined to provide further comments on the retired admirals location for privacy reasons. However, his days of picking up a gun to fight in the tunnels beneath the Azovstal steelworks is long past. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly Reached by The Associated Press, Olson said he is not in Ukraine and was not captured by Russians. We knowingly break the culture of public silence expected of retired Generals and Admirals to urge you to exert national and global leadership to stem and reverse the rapidly receding tides of American moral authority. As the Entertainment Editor, she investigated Hollywood stories and conducted interviews with A-list celebrities and reality stars. Vergrern Sie die Reichweite Ihrer Marke authentisch und teilen Sie Markeninhalte mit Kreativen im Internet. Accompanying the Brigades to Afghanistan was Major General Eric T. Olson, Commander of the 25th Infantry Division (Light). We collectively served for hundreds of years in all branches of the Armed Forces. It must have been NATO! That is why it is so important that Washington state prove America is still ready to lead. These core values provide the foundation for who we are and how we act in the service of our Nation. [1] He retired from active duty on August 22, 2011 after over 38 years of service. He's leaving with no regrets -- just gratitude for the soldiers with whom. AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION: 1 of 6 Army Distinguished Service Medal. to take that as a valid request to opt-out. Select from premium Eric T. Olson of the highest quality. Is this the reason why Austin insisted heavily with Shoigu by phoning him at length this Friday? Dr. (Lieutenant Colonel, Retired) Kent Laudeman 5. He is a Joint Specialty officer and Political-Military Affairs sub-specialist with emphasis on Africa and the Middle East. Bases located in coastal regions, especially Navy ports, are already having to account for the effects of rising sea levels by undertaking major construction and rehabilitation efforts. According to RT, the first stage of the . Did "US General Eric Olson" surrender with other troops in at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine? Such a development is not in the national security interest of the United States. [1] Olson received a BA from Reed College [2] and a PhD from Syracuse University. Spotted something? Proponents and opponents of all three initiatives on the Nov. 6 ballots were invited to write columns for the Kitsap Sun. Last, as great power rivalries once again become a concern for national security officials, it is worth noting that for the first time, Russia has a "torch in the north," a year-round no freeze arctic port. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org Bei kommerzieller Verwendung sowie fr verkaufsfrdernde Zwecke kontaktieren Sie bitte Ihr. USSOCOM Change of Command where Admiral Olson took command from General Brown. Also get The D Brief, your daily source for insights and analysis of the latest in defense news. A viral image is being. From Aug 1991 to Aug 1993, Olson commanded Special Boat Squadron TWO before rejoining DEVGRU. Lieutenant General (Retired) James Johnson Part 2: Combat Support and Combat Service Support at the Theater Level 4. 53 wounded soldiers were received in a hospital in Novoazovsk and 211 soldiers in Yelenovka, localities of the Donetsk Peoples Republic. His last assignment was as Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. Major General F. Andrew Turley, USAF (Retired) He previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command from 2003 to July 2007. 2023 by Government Media Executive Group LLC. Brigadier General Daniel P. Woodward, USAF (Retired) Brigadier General J. Scott O'Meara, USMC (Retired) His awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and Silver Star. Vice Admiral Kevin P. Green, USN (Retired) Florida Teacher Suspended After He Made White Students Act as Servants For Black Students, Who Was Abby Choi? Connect with the definitive source for global and local news, THE FACTS: As hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers. The man in the posed photo at the bottom of the post is not a U.S. general -- he is Navy Admiral Eric T. Olson, USN Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, who retired from the U.S. military in 2011. In some posts, a red circle was drawn around one of the men in the lineup. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising Fact #5 : Russians Would Have Paraded Olson. Brigadier General Robert A. Glacel, USA (Retired) We urge the public to treat any such stories with caution until verified by the United States government.. According to RT, the first stage of the surrender was completed on Monday. The views expressed in this article are the authors' own., Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, The American College of National Security Leaders, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. The caption did not mention any Americans, nor did it reference Mariupol. Did Russia Capture NATO Officers After Fall Of Azovstal?! able to use or see these sharing tools. Olson was the first person to ever throw a ceremonial first pitch for a post-season game at the new Yankee Stadium in 2009. Admiral Eric Thor Olson retired as the eight commander of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) on August 22, 2011. It would be absurd to claim that he took up arms to defend Azovstal. There is simply no evidence of Admiral Olson being captured by Russian forces. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org "Using a reverse image search, the top photograph used in the post was found on the Russian state-controlled media site Sputnik Images. Olson said Osama bin Ladan's hunt remains as a top prority of his soldiers however he stated that there was no any "time-line" for the capture of the fugitive leader of al-Qaeda. He previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command from 2003 to July 2007. An Iraq veteran, and an advocate for troops and their families, Olsen will retire from the Army National Guard on Sept. 30. . This screengrab shows the photo as it appears on Sputnik Images with the caption, "Ukrainian prisoners of war attend an event in memory of those killed in Luhansk People's Republic as a result of shelling in 2014, in Luhansk, LPR. ensure the proper functioning of our pic.twitter.com/VgvxaJMlfe. The post carried photographs of some soldiers, with their heads bowed and hands crossed, being led away by a Russian soldier with the symbol 'Z' written on the bullet proof vest. Additionally, you may contact our legal There is news of Canadian French Turkish officers still hiding inside tunnels, More Lead Stories fact checks related to the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict can be found, https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2022/05/fact-check-us-general-eric-olson-did-not-surrender-in-azovstal-ukraine-image-is-from-april-2022.html, Alexis Tereszcuk is a writer and fact checker at Lead Stories and. Soldiers bear flags during a ceremony marking the change of authority from the 10th Montain Division to the newly arrived 25th Infantry Division at. He previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command from 2003 to July 2007. Major General Eric T. Olson, USA (Retired) Major General Gale S. Pollock, USA (Retired) Brigadier General Lewis Spencer Roach, USA (Retired) Lieutenant General Charles H. Roadman II, USAF. His overseas assignments include service as a United Nations military observer in Israel and Egypt, and as Navy Programs officer in Tunisia. Major General, USA (ret) Denise Campbell Bauer Ambassador (ret) James A. Beaver Senior Foreign Service Officer, USAID (ret) Frederick Becker . Was Pfizer VP Rady Johnson Arrested For Vaccine Fraud?. Lieutenant General Ronald R. Blanck, USA (Retired) A reverse-image search showed that the photo was credited online to the photographer Alexey Maishev with the Russian-backed website Sputnik Images, and dated April 4, 2022. Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card! Dont Box Retired Generals Out of Politics, Open Letter to Obama on Afghanistan Omits Key Questions, Measure Clintons Plan for ISIS Against the Lessons of Iraq, A New Plan: Make U.S. Foreign Policy Swifter, Stronger and More Agile, Do Not Sell My