In Memory of the Quiet Professionals - Air University · In Memory of the Quiet Professionals who have Paid the Ultimate Price. 3 FOREWORD Two critical challenges face our nation’s

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In Memory of

the Quiet Professionals

who have Paid

the Ultimate Price.

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FOREWORD

Two critical challenges face our nation’s Special Operations Forces (SOF). The first is fighting a global,long-term war against terrorism; SOF are the tip of the spear in that effort. The second related challengeconfronting SOF is the need to “transform” their forces. SOF must improve their speed, precision, lethality,stealth, survivability, and sustainability to meet the needs of the future. SOF must be able to fight inunpredicted places, at unpredicted times.

The phenomenon of global terrorism is far different today than in the past. We face today an internationalterrorist network that has global reach and significant operational resources. The attacks of September 11,2001 clearly demonstrated that determined terrorists will go to any lengths to inflict catastrophic losses onAmericans, be they civilians, or military personnel. Moreover these terrorists desire chemical, biological,nuclear, radiological, and high-yield explosive (CBRNE) weapons to kill as many Americans as possible andundermine our nation’s interests around the world. SOF are playing a vital role in addressing global terror-ism, by disrupting terrorist organizations and bringing their members and supporters to justice—ortaking justice directly to them.

SOF are peerless for a number of reasons. Their capabilities are diverse and they provide critical optionsto policy makers to deter conflict, dissuade potential adversaries, assure friends and allies, and swiftly defeatadversaries of the United States. Furthermore, SOF are transforming their forces to meet the challenges ofcurrent and future wars. The impetus for SOF change is the pressing requirement for a full range of capabili-ties to deal with the new spectrum of threats confronting the nation.The overarching priority for SOF willbe the capability to deal with numerous terrorism and CBRNE threats on a global scale before they threatenthe Homeland. In supporting this new strategic requirement SOF will prevail. The stakes are high.USSOCOM, as the supported combatant command responsible for waging the war on terrorism, is up to thejob.

General Charles R. HollandCommanderU.S. Special Operations Command

Marshall BillingsleaPrincipal DeputyAssistant Secretary of Defense(Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict)

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USSOCOM MISSIONUSSOCOM plans, directs and executes special operations in the conduct of the War on Terrorism in orderto disrupt, defeat, and destroy terrorist networks that threaten the United States, its citizens and interestsworldwide. USSOCOM organizes, trains, and equips Special Operations Forces provided to GeographicCombatant Commanders, American Ambassadors and their Country Teams.

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CONTENTS

FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................................. 3

INTRODUCTION

History ................................................................................................................................................. 7

Title 10 Responsibilities ..................................................................................................................... 9

Major Force Program 11.................................................................................................................... 10

SOF ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION

United States Special Operations Command .................................................................................. 11

United States Army Special Operations Command ........................................................................ 14

Naval Special Warfare Command .................................................................................................... 19

United States Air Force Special Operations Command .................................................................. 23

Joint Special Operations Command ................................................................................................. 25

STRATEGY

New Challenges ................................................................................................................................ 27

Supporting A New Defense Strategy ................................................................................................ 27

Operational Priorities for Special Operations Forces ....................................................................... 29

Enduring Truths ................................................................................................................................ 30

Answering the Call ........................................................................................................................... 31

TAILOR TO TASK

Special Operation Forces .................................................................................................................. 33

Nine SOF Core Tasks....................................................................................................................... 36

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SOF OPERATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

Current Operations ........................................................................................................................... 39Unified Commands and Theater Special Operations Commands ................................................... 40

United States Central Command and Special Operations Command, Central ............................. 42

United States European Command and Special Operations Command, Europe............................ 45

United States Pacific Command and Special Operations Command, Pacific ................................ 48

United States Southern Command and Special Operations Command, South ............................. 52

United States Joint Forces Command and Special Operations Command,Joint Forces Command ............................................................................................................. 56

The Korean Theater of Operations and Special Operations Command, Korea .............................. 59

TRANSFORMING SPECIAL OPERATIONS

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 63

Vectors of Transformation................................................................................................................. 64

SOF Vision ........................................................................................................................................ 65

The SOF Warrior .............................................................................................................................. 65

SOF Attributes .................................................................................................................................. 66

USSOCOM’s Transformation Roadmap .......................................................................................... 69

Transforming to 2020 ........................................................................................................................ 70

Managing the Risks Associated with Transformation ...................................................................... 70

A Path to the Future ......................................................................................................................... 72

SOF PROGRAM SYSTEMS

Mobility, Combat Equipment, Munitions & Armament ................................................................. 73

Intelligence & Information Systems................................................................................................. 81

Mission Support ................................................................................................................................ 88

SOF BUDGET & MANPOWER

Resource Overview ........................................................................................................................... 89

SOF Funding Profile ......................................................................................................................... 90

Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation ............................................................................... 96

APPENDICES

A - HQ USSOCOM Center Organizational Charts and Descriptions ......................................... 101

B - Glossary ..................................................................................................................................... 109

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INTRODUCTION

Special operations are operations conducted inhostile, denied, or politically sensitive environ-ments to acheive military, diplomatic, informa-tional, and/or economic objectives employingmilitary capabilities for which there is no broadconventional force requirement. These operationsoften require covert, clandestine, or discreetcapabilities. Special operations are applicableacross the range of military operations. They canbe conducted independently or in conjunctionwith operations of conventional forces or othergovernment agencies and may include operationsby, with, or through indigenous or surrogate forces.Special operations differ from conventional mili-tary actions in the following ways:

� Greater degree of physical and political risk

� Unique operational techniques, mode of em-ployment, and independence from friendlysupport

� Detailed operational intelligence andindigenous assets

The task, however, does not define the force.SOF are more than just what they do. SOF arecomprised of specially selected, trained, andorganized special operations soldiers, sailors, andairmen from the Armed Services. Their train-ing, education, maturity, initiative, and experienceset them apart from all others in the Departmentof Defense. SOF personnel form the core of ournation’s ability to combat terrorism, counter pro-liferation of weapons of mass destruction, andconduct unconventional warfare.

The business of managing more than 49,000 activeduty and Reserve Component SOF personnel is theresponsibility of the United States Special Opera-tions Command (USSOCOM), which is headquar-tered in Tampa, Florida. USSOCOM has been aleading agency in the fight against terrorism foralmost a quarter of a century.

Despite their demonstrated capability and recentsuccesses in Afghanistan and Iraq, SOF facesignificant challenges in the years ahead. SOFmust develop capabilities to defend the U.S.Homeland from terrorism and CBRNE threatswherever they occur, as well as prepare to meetthe uncertain challenges of the future. Trans-forming the force from one designed to combatspecific threats to one with capabilities that canaddress a broad range of contingencies will notbe easy, but it must be done. As the Americanpublic learned on September 11, some groupsand rogue states are willing to attack themdirectly. Given the stakes associated with futureattacks involving CBRNE weapons, SOF cannotfail. They must be prepared to wage war “every-where, all the time.”

HistoryUntil 1986, the United States had a practice ofcreating and using SOF on an ad hoc basis. Fre-quently, SOF were used to the point of exhaustion,and then disbanded once the crisis had passed.There was also a tendency to use SOF for missionsfor which they were not suited, such as sustainedtheater combat operations. Indeed, the ad hocnature of SOF lead to an unfamiliarity by policymakers over what SOF could, and could not do,and how best to employ them. As a result, SOF hadlittle “institutional memory” that informed policymakers and conventional force commanders notonly of their unique value, but their limitations aswell.

The tendency to form SOF for limited periodscan be traced back to the early colonial period,when officers such as Captain Benjamin Churchand Major Robert Rogers established “Ranger”companies to fight against irregular foes. In othercases, such as the partisan forces of Francis“the Swamp Fox” Marion and Confederate

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“Destructionists,” SOF were designed to offsetthe superior numbers and technology of theiradversary. Although the immediate cost to disbandSOF in all these cases was marginal, the long-term implications were significant and lasting.As warfare has grown in scale and complexity,the time it takes to build competent SOF hasincreased dramatically. The example of theunsuccessful Iran hostage rescue attempt in1980 clearly demonstrates this point.

The rescue attempt, code-named OperationEAGLE CLAW, was conducted when manyAmerican military and political leaders believedthat unconventional forces such as SOF were adistraction at best. The Soviet threat in CentralEurope, as well as the outcome of the VietnamWar, drove this belief. The United States honedsuperb special operations capabilities during theVietnam War but most SOF units were either

disbanded or downsized after 1975. The drasticcuts to SOF units within the Services meant thatthe nation lost its ability to execute special opera-tions of any significant value. For example, activeduty Army Special Forces Groups were reducedfrom seven to three, all Air Force gunships wereslated for deactivation, and the Navy Sea, Air,and Land (SEAL) units were at half of theirwartime strength.

The net result was that when the nation mostneeded a joint special operations capability fora challenging mission, the capability simplydid not exist. In 1979 Iranian students stormedthe United States Embassy in Tehran and tookover fifty Americans hostage. President JimmyCarter ordered a rescue operation and an ad hocmulti-service rescue force was formed. One sig-nificant shortcoming of the rescue force, which

Desert One Showed the Need for a Dedicated, Well - Resourcedand Trained SOF Capability.

Desert One

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had tragic consequences, was the lack of a com-plete and combined mission rehearsal with allelements. In addition, the plan for the rescuewas a complicated one. Several groups wouldinfiltrate into Iran separately and meet at aremote location in the Iranian desert. Oncethere, the raiders would regroup and transportthe assault force close to the Iranian capital tofree the hostages.

Although the rescue force made a clandestineentry into Iran, the ground commander abortedthe mission at the rendezvous point (Desert One).His decision was based on the mechanical failureof several helicopters that significantly increasedthe odds of mission failure. After the abort orderwas issued, a helicopter and an EC-130 airplanecollided killing eight members of the rescue force.After the withdrawal of the rescue force, theIranian government broadcast images of thedestroyed and abandoned military equipment,reinforcing perceptions of American militaryweakness. This propaganda victory highlightsanother aspect of special operations: missions thatpromise a high political and/or military returnbased on substantial risk exact a high price shouldthey fail.

Various panels and investigations, including theHolloway Commission, studied Operation EAGLECLAW and determined that a standing jointcapability was needed to conduct special opera-tions. Although the reports derived from thesestudies were useful in pointing out the shortfallsin joint SOF capabilities, meaningful change onlyoccurred in the face of continued operationalproblems in using SOF. In 1983, OperationURGENT FURY in Grenada may have beena success, but it nevertheless highlighted con-tinuing interoperability problems both betweenthe services and in the integration of SOF intojoint operations. Concerns about these short-comings triggered Congress to pass the 1986Goldwater-Nichols Defense ReorganizationAct, which reorganized parts of the DefenseDepartment. An amendment to the Actestablished USSOCOM and transformedSOF in the process.

Title 10 ResponsibilitiesCompounding these developments was an over-all lack of emphasis perceived by Congress in theDepartment of Defense on Low Intensity Conflictand counterterrorism. In 1985, the Senate ArmedServices Committee published the results of a two-year defense review which led to the Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act of 1986establishing the unified command structure in usetoday. Also, Senators Sam Nunn and WilliamCohen saw the need for a joint military organi-zation to oversee SOF and for a civilian policyand oversight element within the Departmentof Defense. The resulting legislation, the Cohen-Nunn Amendment to the DOD AuthorizationAct of 1987, established USSOCOM and theOffice of the Assistant Secretary of Defense forSpecial Operations and Low Intensity Conflict(SO/LIC). The objectives of this amendment were:

1) Provide close civilian oversight for specialoperations and low-intensity conflict activities

2) Ensure that genuine expertise and a diversityof views are available to the President andSecretary of Defense regarding possibleresponses to special operations requirementsand low-intensity conflict threats

3) Improve interagency planning and coordinationfor special operations and low-intensity conflict

4) Bolster U.S. special operations capabilitiesin a number of areas to include joint doctrineand training, intelligence support, commandand control, budgetary authority, personnelmanagement, and mission planning

With the passage of the Cohen-Nunn Act,USSOCOM’s responsibilities were codified intoU.S. law as part of the Title 10 U.S. Code, Sec-tion 167. This law mandated a unified commandwith “service-like” responsibilities to oversee allSOF. These designated responsibilities includeresource allocation and budget managementseparate from the eight unified commands andservices. The law also mandated that, whendirected by the President or Secretary of Defense,the commander USSOCOM shall exercise com-mand of a selected special operation mission.

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Major Force Program 11The creation of MFP-11 was important forUSSOCOM. Although the Cohen-NunnAmendment had created MFP-11 to reformSOF funding, the wording of the law permittedvarying interpretations, and some Department ofDefense officials argued that the new commandshould not submit its own Program ObjectiveMemorandum (POM). In September 1988,Senators Nunn and Cohen clarified Congres-sional intent, saying the sponsors of the law “fullyintended that the commander of USSOCOMwould have sole responsibility for the preparationof the POM.” Congress enacted Public Law 100-456 that same month, directing the commanderto submit a POM directly to the Secretary ofDefense. For the first and only time, a combatantcommander was granted authority for a budgetand a POM.

USSOCOM Responsibilities, Title 10 (Sec 167)

1. Develop Strategy, Doctrine & Tactics

2. Train assigned forces

3. Conduct specialized courses of instruction forcommissioned and noncommissioned officers

4. Validate and establish priorities forrequirements

5. Ensure the interoperability of equipmentand forces

6. Ensure combat readiness of forces assignedto USSOCOM

7. Monitor the preparedness of specialoperations to carry out assigned missionsof SOF assigned to unified combatantcommands other than USSOCOM

8. Formulate and submit requirements forintelligence support

9. Prepare and submit to Secretary of Defenseprogram recommendations and budgetproposals for special operations andother forces assigned to USSOCOM

10. Exercise authority, direction, and controlover the expenditure of funds for forcesassigned to USSOCOM and for specialoperations forces assigned to unifiedcombatant commands other than theUSSOCOM

11. Prioritize requirements

12. Ensure interoperability of equipment

13. Monitor the promotions, assignments,retention, training, and professionalmilitary development of all specialoperations force officers

14. Internally audit and inspect purchaseand contract actions

15. Develop and acquire special operations-peculiar equipment

16. Acquire special operations-peculiarmaterial, supplies, and services

ConclusionUSSOCOM manages and oversees all CONUS-based SOF: the Air Force Special OperationsCommand, the Naval Special Warfare Command,the US Army Special Operations Command,and the Joint Special Operations Command.USSOCOM also develops SOF-specific tactics,techniques, procedures, and doctrine, and con-ducts research, development, and acquisitionof SOF-peculiar equipment. USSOCOMensures its forces are trained and “joint-ready”to respond to the call from the President,Secretary of Defense and the other eightcombatant commanders as necessary.

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SOF ORGANIZATIONALDESCRIPTION

USSOCOM is one of nine combatant commandersdirectly responsible to the President and Secretaryof Defense. As a functional combatant command,USSOCOM has been given lead responsibility forwaging war on terrorism. Its duties in connectionwith this responsibilty include planning, directing,and executing special operations in the conduct ofthe war on terrorism. USSOCOM also providesspecial operations forces (SOF) to support theGeographic Combatant Commander’s theatersecurity cooperation plans. The designation ofSpecial Operations as a Major Force Program

makes USSOCOM unique among the nine com-batant commands in that it has service-like respon-sibilities to organize, train, and equip its forces forspecial operations missions.

The People. The men and women of U.S. SpecialOperations Command number approximately49,000. They are active duty and Reserve Compo-nent forces organized into a variety of land, sea andaerospace units. Although the acronym SOF isused to describe this community of world- classorganizations, no one joins “SOF” per se. Instead

United States Special Operations Command(USSOCOM)

PRESIDENT

SERVICE CHIEFS

SECRETARY OFDEFENSE

CJCS

U.S. SOUTHERNCOMMAND

U.S. EUROPEANCOMMAND

U.S. NORTHERNCOMMAND

U.S. SPECIAL OPSCOMMAND

U.S. STRATEGICCOMMAND

U.S.TRANSPORTATION

COMMAND

U.S. PACIFICCOMMAND

U.S. CENTRALCOMMAND

U.S. JOINT FORCESCOMMAND

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The SOF Family

they join a unit, unique in its history, culture, andcontribution to the joint SOF team. Our nation isbetter served as a result of this diversity.

Components. USSOCOM has three componentcommands and one sub-unified command:

U.S. Army Special Operations Command orUSASOC is located at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.The mission of USASOC is to organize, train,man, equip, educate, maintain combat readiness,and deploy assigned active duty and ReserveComponents of the Army Special OperationsForce. Their mission is to accomplish specialoperations, psychological operations, and civilaffairs operations as assigned by the Commander,USSOCOM and/or Geographic CombatantCommanders employing SOF. Their forces includethe United States Army Civil Affairs and Psycho-logical Operations Command (Airborne), UnitedStates Special Forces Command (Airborne),

John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center andSchool, and the Special Operations Support Com-mand located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the75th Ranger Regiment located at Fort Benning,Georgia, and the 160th Special OperationsAviation Regiment located at Fort Campbell,Kentucky.

Naval Special Warfare Command orNAVSPECWARCOM is located at NavalAmphibious Base, Coronado, CA. The missionof NAVSPECWARCOM is to organize, train,man, equip, educate, maintain combat readiness,and deploy assigned forces in support of jointand fleet operations worldwide. Naval SpecialWarfare (NSW) forces include Naval SpecialWarfare Group ONE and THREE in California;Naval Special Warfare Group TWO and FOUR inVirginia; and Naval Special Warfare Reserve unitslocated throughout the United States. Theirmission is to accomplish special operations as

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assigned by Commander, USSOCOM and theGeographic Combatant Commanders employingSOF.

Air Force Special Operations Command or AFSOCis located at Hurlburt Field, Florida. AFSOC isAmerica’s specialized air power. It is a step aheadin a changing world, delivering special operationscombat power anytime, anywhere. The commandis committed to continual improvement to provideAir Force Special Operations Forces for worldwidedeployment and assignment to geographic unifiedcommands, conducting the full spectrum of specialoperations core tasks. AFSOC active duty forcesare the 16th Special Operations Wing, 720th

Special Tactics Group, and 18th Flight Test Squad-ron, 352nd Special Operations Group, and 353rdSpecial Operations Group. Reserve Componentforces are the 193rd Special Operations Wing (AirNational Guard), 280th Combat Communica-tions Squadron (Air National Guard), 123rdSpecial Tactics Squadron (Air National Guard),and the 919th Special Operations Wing (AirForce Reserve).

Joint Special Operations Command or JSOC is asub-unified command of USSOCOM. JSOCprovides a joint headquarters to study specialoperations requirements, ensures interoperabilityand equipment standardization, develops jointspecial operations plans and tactics, and conductsjoint special operations exercises and training.

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United States Army Special Operations Command(USASOC)

United States Army Special OperationsCommand – Sine Pare. On December 1, 1989the Department of the Army established theU.S. Army Special Operations Command atFort Bragg, North Carolina, as a major Armycommand to enhance the readiness of ArmySOF.

USASOC is a component of USSOCOM andcommands both the Army’s active duty and Re-serve Component SOF. It also provides oversightof Army National Guard SOF readiness, organ-ization, training, and employment in coordinationwith the National Guard Bureau and State Adju-tants General. USASOC’s major subordinatecommands include:

� U.S. Army Special Forces Command(Airborne)

� U.S. Army Civil Affairs and PsychologicalOperations Command (Airborne)

� U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special WarfareCenter and School

Major subordinate units include:

� 75th Ranger Regiment

� 160th Special Operations AviationRegiment (Airborne)

� Special Operations SupportCommand (Airborne)

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Major Subordinate CommandsU.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne)(USASFC (A)) – De Oppresso Liber. U.S. Army1st Special Operations Command was redesig-nated the U.S. Army Special Forces Command(Airborne) on November 27, 1990. The missionof USASFC (A) is to train, validate and pre-pare special forces (SF) units to deploy and executeoperational requirements for the U.S. military’sGeographic Combatant Commanders throughoutthe world. In addition to USASFC (A), thereare five active duty SF groups and two U.S. ArmyNational Guard SF groups. Each group has threebattalions consisting of three operational compa-nies, a group support company and a headquarterscompany. The operational companies have sixOperational Detachment Alphas (ODA), orA-teams, assigned to them. The ODA is theheart and soul of SF operations.

SF units perform five doctrinal missions:foreign internal defense, unconventional warfare,special reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-terrorism. These missions make SF unique in theU.S. military, because it is employed throughoutthe three stages of the operational continuum:peacetime, conflict, and war.

On a daily basis, soldiers of the U.S. Army SpecialForces Command (Airborne) are deployed aroundthe world, living up to their motto – De OppressoLiber, “To Free the Oppressed.”

Chemical Reconnaissance Detachments (CRD)are assigned to Special Forces Command and areallocated one per Special Forces Group. The CRDis a 14-man detachment consisting of airbornequalified Chemical Corps soldiers led by a captainand a master sergeant. The CRD supports specialreconnaissance, unconventional warfare, foreigninternal defense and direct action missions withchemical, biological, and nuclear defense andmitigation expertise.

U.S. Army Civil Affairs and PsychologicalOperations Command (Airborne) USACAPOC(A) – By Sword, Deed, and Word. All CONUS-based Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Opera-tions units belong to USACAPOC (A). About 96percent of USACAPOC (A)’s approximately10,000 soldiers are in the U.S. Army Reserve andare located in 25 states. The active duty unitsconsist of one Psychological Operations Group ofsix battalions and one Civil Affairs Battalion. TheArmy Reserve Component includes four BrigadierGeneral-commanded Civil Affairs Commands,with subordinate brigades and battalions and twoPsychological Operations Groups with subordinatebattalions and companies.

Civil Affairs (CA) – Secure the Victory.CA units support military commanders byworking to minimize the effect of civilians inthe battlespace and by coordinating with civilauthorities and civilian populations in thecommander’s area of operations to lessen theimpact of military operations on them duringpeace, contingency operations, and declaredwar. Civil Affairs forces support activities ofboth conventional and SOF, and are capable ofassisting and supporting the civil administrationin their area of operations. Long after the gunshave fallen silent, the men and women of CivilAffairs continue to provide assistance to foreigngovernments, and to stablize regions in turmoil.

Psychological Operations (PSYOP) – Persuade,Change, Influence. PSYOP are a vital part ofthe broad range of U.S. political, military, eco-nomic, and ideological activities used by theU.S. government to secure national objectives.PSYOP disseminate truthful information toforeign audiences in support of U.S. policyand national objectives. Used during peacetime,contingency operations, and declared war, theseactivities are not a form of force, but are forcemultipliers that use nonviolent means in oftenviolent environments. Persuading rather than

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compelling physically, they rely on logic, fear,desire or other mental factors to promote specificemotions, attitudes or behaviors. The ultimateobjective of U.S. military psychological opera-tions is to convince target audiences to take actionfavorable to the United States and its allies. Theimportance and effectiveness of psychologicaloperations has been underscored during OPERA-TIONS ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQIFREEDOM.

The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy SpecialWarfare Center and School – Truth and Liberty.The mission of the USAJFKSWCS is to developdoctrine and all related individual and collectivetraining material; develop and maintain theproponent training programs/systems; provideentry-level and advanced individual training andeducation; establish leader development policyand standards of grade authorization for bothactive duty and Reserve Component’s Army SF,CA, and PSYOP forces, and act as the specifiedproponent for Army Rangers and Army SpecialOperations Aviation.

Major Subordinate Units75th Ranger Regiment – Rangers Lead theWay. The Ranger Regiment is the premierlight-infantry unit of the United States Army.Their mission is to plan and conduct jointspecial military operations in support of U.S.policy and objectives.

The Army maintains the Regiment at a highlevel of readiness. Each battalion can deployanywhere in the world. Because of the impor-tance the Army places on the 75th RangerRegiment, it must possess a number of capa-bilities. These capabilities include: infiltrationand exfiltration by land, sea, and air; directaction operations; raids; recovery of personneland special equipment; and conventional orspecial light-infantry operations.

To maintain readiness, Rangers train constantly.

Their training encompasses arctic, jungle, desert,and mountain operations, as well as amphibiousinstruction. The training philosophy of the 75thRanger Regiment dictates the unit’s high state ofreadiness. The philosophy includes performance-oriented training emphasizing tough standardsand a focus on realism and live-fire exercises,while concentrating on the basic capabilitiesof physical training, marksmanship, medicalproficiency, and small unit tactics. Training atnight, during adverse weather, or on difficultterrain enhances the benefits of training events.Throughout training, Rangers are taught toexpect the unexpected.

The 160th Special Operations AviationRegiment (160th SOAR) (Airborne) – NightStalkers Don’t Quit. What began as an emer-gency deployment from Fort Campbell, KY in1980 has become what is now the finest aviationcapability in existence. The 160th SOAR(A) isthe Army’s premier special operations aviationunit specifically manned, equipped, and trainedto provide no-notice, focused and precision avia-tion support to SOF worldwide under any opera-tional and threat environment.

To accomplish its mission, the 160th SOAR(A)employs a unique combination of highly sophisti-cated and combat proven aircraft. These aircraft,coupled with the Regiment’s stringently selectedand highly trained aircrew members, provide theSOF community with an ever-expanding arrayof reliable aviation capabilities including:

� Precision rotary wing operations in complexurban areas

� Long range infiltrations/exfiltrations underhigh threat, adverse weather and all terrain/environmental conditions

� Long range precision attack and close airsupport to ground SOF in contact

� Rotary wing foreign internal defense

� Personnel recovery

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For over two decades, the 160th SOAR(A) hasdemonstrated leading edge capabilities undersome of the most arduous and unforgiving con-ditions found in combat. Their extraordinaryoperational history includes URGENT FURYin Grenada, PRIME CHANCE in the PersianGulf, JUST CAUSE in Panama, DESERTSHIELD/DESERT STORM in Iraq, TASKFORCE RANGER in Somalia, UPHOLD/RESTORE DEMOCRACY in Haiti, ENDURINGFREEDOM in Afghanistan and the Philippines,and IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq. Such unmatchedaccomplishments have earned the Night Stalkersthe trust and respect of their ground SOF counter-parts.

Special Operations Support Command(Airborne) (SOSCOM (A)) – Assured Support.A stand-alone unique organization, the SOSCOM(A) provides C2 of its organic elements to accom-plish its mission of planning and coordinating

dedicated combat service support and level I healthservice support to ARSOF and special operationssignal support to SOF units supporting the Geo-graphic Combatant Commander. The SOSCOM(A) consists of a Material Management Centerproviding centralized logistics management andvisibility to all USASOC active duty and reserveunits. The SOSCOM (A) operates the Armycomponent of the SOCOM “Storefront” initiativeto support SOF unique logistics support require-ments for ARSOF units. The SOSCOM (A) has5 geographically oriented forward deployedSpecial Operations Theater Support Elements.These planning, coordinating, and facilitatingstaff elements serve as ARSOF liaisons embeddedin the theater armies for matters pertaining tologistics, medical and signal needs. The SOSCOM(A) provides forward-deployed Special OperationsSignal Detachments in each of the regionallyaligned Special Operations Commands givingthem immediate communications capabilities.The SOSCOM (A) executes its mission byproviding robust tailorable, deployable, depend-able modular logistical and signal supportpackages wherever and whenever needed.

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Naval Special Warfare Command(NAVSPECWARCOM) is the Navy componentof USSOCOM. Established at Naval AmphibiousBase, Coronado, California in April 1987,NAVSPECWARCOM oversees the organization,training, equipping and readiness of all active dutyand reserve Navy SOF.

A recent force realignment, commonly referredto as “Naval Special Warfare 21” (NSW 21), wasundertaken to create the optimal Naval SpecialWarfare (NSW) organization for the 21st century.It included the following initiatives:

� Developing the NSW Squadron� Restructuring the Force� Realigning Training� Optimizing Command and Control Relation-

ships Forward� Creating the C4ISR Backbone

These initiatives provide the Geographic Combat-ant Commanders with a more capable, tailorableand focused war fighting force led by more seniorand operationally experienced NSW leadership.

Major Operational Commands� Naval Special Warfare Group ONE,

Coronado, California

� Naval Special Warfare Group TWO,Little Creek, Virginia

� Naval Special Warfare Group THREE,Coronado, California

� Naval Special Warfare Group FOUR,Little Creek, Virginia

Naval Special Warfare Command(NAVSPECWARCOM)

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These commands train, equip, and deploy com-ponents of Naval Special Warfare Squadrons tomeet the training, exercise, contingency, andwartime requirements of the Geographic Combat-ant Commanders, Theater Special OperationsCommands and numbered fleets located aroundthe world. Under NSW 21, the squadron is builtaround the entire SEa, Air and Land (SEAL)Team deploying and includes its senior leadership,SEAL Vehicle Delivery Teams and Special BoatTeams, as well as personnel detachments such asmobile communications teams, tactical cryptologicsupport and explosive ordnance disposal. Addition-ally, they receive support from five permanentlydeployed NSW units overseas.

NSW forces can operate independently or inconjunction with other U.S. Special OperationsForces or within U.S. Navy Carrier Battle Groupsand Amphibious Ready Groups. There are approxi-mately 5,000 total active duty personnel.

At the heart of the NSW realignment is the NSWSquadrons and a new 2-year, 4-phase deploymentcycle. The deployment schedule is facilitated bythe establishment of new SEAL Teams createdfrom the restructuring of current continental U.S.-based forces. Following a year of individual andunit level training, the Squadron receives sixmonths of interoperability training prior to its six-month deployment. The NSW Squadron providesthe same tactical forces and assets, but they arrivein theatre more completely trained and integratedwith enhanced command and control forward.This greatly increases the Squadron’s ability to taskorganize NSW forces to meet specific requirements.

Consolidating the SEAL Teams’ administrativeand support functions under the Logistics SupportUnits and shifting the training functions from theTeams to training detachments assigned to theGroups has created a more efficient organization.This consolidation allows NSW operators tomaintain a strong operational focus.

Due to an increased focus on complex maritime/undersea weapon systems, Special Boat Squadronstransitioned in FY03 to become part of Com-mander, Naval Special Warfare Groups(CNSWG). Each CNSWG retains operationalcontrol (OPCON) of current forces previouslyassigned to the Special Boat Squadrons and gainsOPCON of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams andCommunications Equipment Support Elementunits. This transition provides unity of commandfor these systems and optimal support to theoperational commanders.

Major Component CommandNaval Special Warfare Center (NSWC)provides basic and advanced instruction andtraining in maritime special operations to U.S.military and government personnel and membersof other allied armed forces. Efforts are underwayat the Center to take on all courses leading toindividual qualifications or certifications, includingsome training previously conducted at the SEALTeam or platoon level. Additionally, standards arebeing redefined and courses will be validated toensure operators reach consistently high skilllevels.

Major Subordinate CommandsSEAL Teams are maritime, multipurposecombat forces organized, trained and equippedto conduct a variety of special missions in alloperational environments and threat conditions.They infiltrate their objective areas by fixedand rotary-winged aircraft, Navy surface ships,combatant craft and submarines. Operating insmall numbers, SEALs’ ability to conduct clandes-tine, high-risk missions and provide real timeintelligence and eyes on target, offer decision-makers immediate and virtually unlimited optionsin the face of rapidly changing wartime situations.SEAL special mission areas include unconven-tional warfare, direct action, counterterrorism,

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special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense,information warfare, security assistance, counter-drug operations, personnel recovery, and hydro-graphic reconnaissance.

Warrior Diplomats. SEALs maintain a forwardpresence, regional orientation, language skills,and cultural awareness as they conduct opera-tions throughout the world.

Global Access. With half the world’s industry andpopulation located within one mile of an ocean ornavigable river and 144 of 170 sovereign nationsaccessible from sea or river systems, Naval SpecialWarfare’s unique maritime capabilities make it aproven force for the future.

Systems Integration. By integrating a numberof significant systems (Secret Internet ProtocolRouting Network, Mission Support Center, andSpecial Operations Mission Planning Environ-ment) NSW has decreased its footprint forward.At the same time, it continues to provide its land,ship, and submarine-based forces the ability toconduct worldwide collaborative joint missionplanning. The NSW Mission Support Centeremploys “reach back technology,” providingforces with the operational picture and con-tinuous battle space awareness. It also enablesdeployed forces to connect to resources requiredto rapidly plan and conduct successful specialoperations missions.

SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams arespecially trained SEALs and support personnelwho operate and maintain SDVs, Dry Deck Shel-ters (DDS), and the Advanced SEAL DeliverySystem (ASDS) when it becomes operational inlate FY03 . The ASDS is a dry-submersible vesselthat can be launched from a Navy submarine.SDVs are wet submersibles which, along with theASDS, provide clandestine reconnaissance, directactions and passenger delivery capability in mari-time environments. DDS deliver SDVs and spe-cially trained forces from modified submarines.When teamed with their host submarines, theASDS, SDV and DDS platforms provide the mostclandestine maritime delivery capability in theworld.

Special Boat Teams. NSW platforms includethe Rigid Inflatable Boats, MK-V Special Opera-tions Craft and riverine craft. Special WarfareCombatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) operate andmaintain these state-of-the-art, high performanceboats used to conduct coastal patrol and interdic-tion and support special operations missions.Focusing on infiltration and exfiltration of SEALsand other SOF, SWCC provide dedicated rapidmobility in shallow water areas where larger shipscannot operate.

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23

United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

United States Air Force Special OperationsCommand (AFSOC). Air Force Special Opera-tions Forces are comprised of highly trained,rapidly deployable airman who are equipped withhighly specialized, fixed and rotary wing aircraft.Air Force Special Operations Command, locatedat Hurlburt Field, Florida, is responsible toUSSOCOM for the readiness of active duty, AirForce Reserve, and Air National Guard SOF forworldwide deployment. Three special operationswings, two special operations groups, and onespecial tactics group are assigned to AFSOC.AFSOC’s quiet professionals deliver the nation’sspecialized air power to provide SOF mobility,forward presence and engagement, precisionemployment/strike, and information operations.The command has the following active duty, AirNational Guard, and Air Force Reserve unitsassigned:

� One active duty special operations wing witheight special operations squadrons, includingfive fixed-wing, one rotary-wing, a combataviation advisory unit, and a fixed-wing trainingsquadron

� Two active duty overseas-based special opera-tions groups; Pacific Theater Group is compro-mised of fixed-wing special operations squadronsand a special tactics squadron and the EuropeanTheater Group is compromised of fixed-wingand one rotary-wing special operations squad-rons and a special tactics squadron

� One Air Force Reserve Special OperationsWing with two fixed-wing special operationssquadrons

� One Air National Guard Special OperationsWing with one fixed-wing special operationssquadron

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� One active duty special tactics group with fouractive special tactics squadrons, one AirNational Guard special tactics squadron,and an active combat weather squadron

� One active duty flight test squadron

� The Air Force Special Operations School

“Anytime, Anywhere” epitomizes AFSOC’scommitment to stay a step ahead in a changingworld. AFSOC’s unique active duty, Air NationalGuard and Air Force Reserve units provide aglobal ability to conduct special operations mis-sions ranging from precision application of fire-power, to infiltration, exfiltration, resupply, andrefueling of SOF operational elements. Uniquecapabilities include airborne radio and televisionbroadcast for psychological operations, as well ascombat aviation advisors to provide other govern-ments military expertise for their internal develop-ment. Special tactics squadrons combine combatcontrol, weather, and pararescue personnel to

ensure air power is integrated and operable withspecial operations and conventional forces.

USAF Special Operations School“Unconventional thought for anuncertain world”As an element of the Joint Special OperationsUniversity, the USAF Special Operations School(USAFSOS) mission is to educate U.S. militaryand other government personnel in the art andscience of special operations. The school has fouracademic departments (Asymmetric Warfare,Regional Studies, Joint Special Operations, andProfessional Studies), that focus on their respectiveaspect of special operations. Courses range fromthree days to two weeks in length and vary in stylefrom large orientation courses to small interactiveseminars. USAFSOS faculty also accomplishesadvanced academic research in support of the SOFcommunity.

720thSpecial Tactics

Group

USAFSpecial Operations

School

18thFlight TestSquadron

919thSpecial Operations

Wing (AFR)

10thCombat Weather

Squadron

21stSpecial Tactics

Squadron

22ndSpecial Tactics

Squadron

23rdSpecial Tactics

Squadron

24thSpecial Tactics

Squadron

123rdSpecial Tactics

Squadron

Air Force Special Operations Command

353rdSpecial Operations

Group

352ndSpecial Operations

Group

193rd Special Operations

Wing (ANG)EC-130E


Wing


SquadronMC-130H


SquadronAC-130H


SquadronTRNG


SquadronMH-53M


SquadronAC-130U

6th SpecialOperations Squadron

Combat AviationAdvisors UH1


SquadronMC-130E


SquadronMH-130P

AFR = Air Force ReserveANG - Air National Guard


Squadron (AFR)MC-130P


Squadron (AFR)MC-130E


SquadronMC-130H

21stSpecial Operations

SquadronMC-53M


SquadronMC-130P


Squadron


SquadronMC-130H


SquadronMC-130P

320thSpecial Tactics

Squadron

25

Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)

Established in 1980, the Joint Special OperationsCommand is a sub-unified command ofUSSOCOM. JSOC provides a standing jointheadquarters to study special operations require-ments, ensures interoperability and equipment

standardization, develops joint special operationsplans and tactics, and conducts joint specialoperations exercises and training.

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New ChallengesOur nation is at war, but this war is unlike anywe have ever fought. It is a war fought withoutformal declaration, without concrete resolution,and against adversaries willing and able to cir-cumvent our military forces by striking directlyagainst the U.S. Homeland. It is a long-termconflict against adversaries determined to useweapons designed to cause catastrophic injury toour people and our way of life.

U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) are playinga critical role in this war, by bringing terrorists,their supporters, and their state facilitators tojustice, or by taking justice to them.

But winning this war will require new capabilities,sustainable increases in capacity, and significantimprovements in the global reach and responsetime of our forces. To meet the demands of thenew environment, SOF must ensure that theircapabilities are well-tuned to meet emergingneeds. This section articulates some of the moreimportant contributions that SOF can make tosupport the goals of the new U.S. DefenseStrategy.

STRATEGY

Supporting A NewDefense StrategyThroughout the history of the United States,decision makers have relied upon warriors withunique capabilities who venture to foreign landsand perform military tasks that could not beperformed by more conventional military units.SOF continue to play this role maintainingcompetencies to execute a wide variety of impor-tant and highly specialized missions. For thefuture, capabilities to counter terrorist threats andChemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclearand high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) threats, levythe most pressing requirements on SOF.

Although counterterrorism has long been a coretask of SOF, the events of September 11, 2001focused national interest on several urgentnational priorities:

� Destroying al’Qaida and other parts of theinternational terrorist network

� Speeding transformation of the military

� Counter the proliferation of weaponsof mass destruction and associateddelivery systems

� Strengthening intelligence collection anddissemination

Supporting The National Strategy

. . . Any Time

. . . Any Place

. . . Any Adversary

Supporting The National Strategy

. . . Any Time

. . . Any Place

. . . Any Adversary

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In order to prepare the military to address 21stCentury threats while maintaining capabilitiesto meet current challenges, the Secretary ofDefense developed a new defense strategy inthe 2001 Defense Planning Guidance thatwould promote these new national priorities.This strategy focuses on four defense policy goals:

� Assuring Allies and Friends

� Dissuading Adversaries

� Deterring Aggression and Coercion

� Decisively Defeating Any Adversary

The unique capabilities of SOF allow them tomake a number of important contributions to theU.S. defense strategy. Although SOF are notwell suited for addressing every problem, SOFcan provide policymakers with an expanded setof options for rapidly resolving strategic problemswith relatively limited resources, fanfare, andrisk. The ongoing Afghan and Iraqi operationsgraphically demonstrates this point.

SOF’s ubiquitous presence as “Global Scouts”serves to assure allies and friends of U.S. govern-ment resolve. SOF’s participation in TheaterSecurity Cooperation Plans, Joint CombinedExchange Training, Humanitarian Demining,Counterdrug and Foreign Internal Defense pro-grams provides tangible training benefits whilebuilding rapport with our friends and allies.

SOF’s presence and unique capabilities dissuadepotential adversaries by complicating their plan-ning and providing the President and Secretaryof Defense a wider array of options for dealingwith potential adversaries. By operating “in theseam” between peace and war, SOF can addresstransnational and asymmetric threats throughdirect military means or concerted action withconventional military forces and/or other govern-ment agencies. SOF can shape the pre-conflictenvironment to set conditions favorable to theU.S. and can also provide a strategic economy

SOF Core Tasks

Counterterrorism (CT)Counter Proliferation (CP)Special Reconnaissance (SR)Direct Action (DA)Unconventional Warfare (UW)Information Operations (IO)Psychological Operations (PSYOP)Foreign Internal Defense (FID)Civil Affairs Operations (CAO)

of force in areas of the world left uncovered bythe commitment of conventional forces toother priorities.

SOF deter threats and counter coercion throughthe deployment and employment of specializedforces tailored to counter adversaries’ capabilitieswith both direct and surrogate means. GlobalSOF presence sends a tangible signal to potentialadversaries of U.S. resolve and commitment to itsfriends and allies. Forces organized, trained, andequipped to execute the SOF core tasks ofcounterterrorism and counter-proliferation ofweapons of mass destruction also provide animportant deterrent against adversaries that mightcontemplate producing or employing these weap-ons against the United States or its allies.

Finally, SOF, operating in conjunction withconventional forces, provide important capabili-ties to decisively defeat aggressors of all types.Through their ability to operate with coalitionforces, regional allies and unconventional war-fare forces, SOF serve as a valuable source ofintelligence, as well as a force multiplier forconventional warfighting capabilities.

Although SOF provide the President andthe Secretary of Defense with important opera-tional capabilities, careful effort must be givento developing operational priorities both tomaximize return on the national investment in

29

special operations capabilities and to minimizethe expenditure of effort on operations that pro-vide relatively little strategic return. Today, thereare five priority requirements for SOF that flowfrom the broader strategic guidance.

Operational Priorities forSpecial Operations ForcesSOF are a strategic asset—one that expands therange of military options available to the President,the Secretary of Defense and other key decisionmakers.

The priorities listed below are designed to giveSOF the direction that they need to become aneven more relevant and capable instrument formeeting the national security challenges of the21st Century.

Priority One—Preempting Global Terroristand CBRNE Threats

The most critical priority for SOF for the foresee-able future will be to expand and enhance existingcapabilities for dealing with adversaries abroad thatpose mortal threats to our people, our nation andour way of life.

Priority Two—Enhancing Homeland Security

The second critical priority for SOF is to supportthe needs of conventional forces and other govern-ment agencies as they perform their primarymission of defending the U.S. Homeland.

Priority Three—Performing UnconventionalWarfare and Serving as a ConventionalForce Multiplier in Conflict againstState Adversaries

The third critical priority for SOF is to facilitatethe development of indigenous capabilities to fightagainst terrorists and rogue regimes. Robust uncon-ventional warfare capabilities greatly expand theset of options available to policy makers for defeat-ing rogue regimes and for developing viableindigenous alternatives to them.

SOF must also maintain and improve capabilitiesto support conventional forces. Although technol-ogy will become an increasingly important facet oftarget recognition and battle damage assessment, itis not likely that unmanned vehicles will fullyreplace the need for “brains on target.” Puttingmen on-site will remain a critically important corecompetency for SOF for the foreseeable future.

Priority Four—Conducting ProactiveStability Operations

The fourth priority for SOF will be the provisionof support to friendly governments trying to defeatinsurgent or other criminal movements withintheir borders.

Priority Five—Executing Small-ScaleContingencies

Finally, the fifth key priority for SOF will be toprovide robust capabilities to support small-scalecontingencies. These operations, whether they bepersonnel recovery, non-combatant evacuation orother small-scale contingency operations, will relyon the ability of SOF to organize quickly anddeploy rapid-response packages that are tailoredcarefully to meet the operational requirement.

These strategic priorities provide a practicalframework for focusing the employment andresource development of SOF. Although thecurrent limitations of SOF cannot be addressedin this document, it should be clear that areasin which SOF are not adequately prepared to

30

support the above priorities represent criticalareas for capability expansion or enhancement.That said, SOF should not be expanded withouta deeper consideration of the fundamental con-straints associated with the development ofspecial operations capabilities. The most criticalof these constraints are addressed in the nextsection of this document.

Enduring TruthsSOF provide unique capabilities not found inother elements of the Armed Forces. While otherU.S. military units can conduct certain types ofspecial operations, and other nations may havespecial operations capabilities, no other force in theworld has the range of capabilities possessed by theU.S. SOF.

Four truths remain the cornerstone shapingthe development of our nation’s special opera-tions capabilities:

1) Humans are more important than hardware.

The special operations soldier, sailor, or airmanis the most critical component of any specialoperations capability.

2) Quality is better than quantity.

A small number of people, carefully selected,well trained, and well led, are preferable to largernumbers of troops, some of whom may not be upto the task.

3) SOF cannot be mass-produced.

There is no easy formula for creating specialoperations personnel. Experience—a keyelement of special operations capability—can only be produced over time.

4) Competent SOF cannot be created afteremergencies occur.

Time is perhaps the most critical elementinvolved in the creation of competent SOF:time to select, assess, train and educate person-nel; and time to gain the experience necessaryto perform operations with a reasonable assur-ance of success. Since competent forces cannotbe created instantly, decision-makers must planahead to create forces that are sufficient in size,capability and speed of response.

SOF provide capabilities that expand the optionsavailable to the employing commander, howeverthey are not the ideal solution to all problemsrequiring a military response. Usually the bestmeans of employing SOF is to do so in conjunc-tion with conventional forces where each forcefulfills the roles that they are optimally designed toaccomplish.

31

Answering the CallThe strategy outlined provides a frame-work for improving special operations capabilitiesdrawn from the goals of the new defense strategyarticulated in the 2001 Quadrennial DefenseReview. The strategy functions from the premisethat SOF should seek to build upon the strongfoundation set down by special operations war-riors throughout history. At this critical time inour nation’s history the need for capable SOF hasnever been more acute. Given the immense risks toour nation, it is increasingly clear that for many oftomorrow’s special operations, neither failure northe perception of failure is an acceptable result.SOF must prepare now to meet this pressing need.

32

33

Special Operations Forces. SOF are designatedby the Secretary of Defense, comprised of activeduty and Reserve Component forces specificallyorganized, trained, and equipped to conduct specialoperations. A simple way to remember the differ-ence between SOF and conventional forces is thatSOF’s unique training, capabilities, and skillsthat allow them to conduct high risk operationsin hostile, denied, and politically sensitive areas.All SOF candidates undergo a rigorous selectionprocess and mission-specific training far beyondthat required by conventional military. SOF areregionally oriented, trained in language and cross-cultural communications skills. SOF personnelspend many years immersed in their respectiveforeign cultures becoming intimately familiar with

TAILOR TO TASK

the areas in which they specialize and operate.As a result, SOF are often in the first echelonof any commitment of U.S. forces overseas.

Education. USSOCOM meets this requirementthrough the continued adaptation and growth ofits education and training capability. Each SOFservice component has a school to train its per-sonnel in their combat specialties. These schoolsare: John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center andSchool, U.S. Army Special Operations Command,Ft Bragg, North Carolina; Naval Special WarfareCenter, Naval Special Warfare Command, NavalAmphibious Base, Coronado, California; and theAir Force Special Operations School, Air ForceSpecial Operations Command, Hurlburt Field,

Our SOF Schools

34

Florida. USSOCOM also established the JointSpecial Operations University, co-located withthe Air Force Special Operations School atHurlburt Field, Florida. The University is com-prised of the following principal elements: AirForce Special Operations School; Naval Post-graduate School, Special Operations Program,Monterey, California; and the Distributed Learn-ing College for Joint Special Operations Studies.The University focuses on educating SOF seniorand intermediate leaders and national and inter-national decision-makers, both military andcivilian, in the art of joint special operations. Thistype of education is critical to ensure leadersat all levels understand the unique capabilities andrequirements, across the spectrum of conflict, ofthe SOF warrior.

Flexible Adaptable Response. SOF areinherently flexible and rapidly adaptable to abroad and constantly varying range of tasks andconditions. This organizational agility allows

SOF to quickly concentrate synergistic effectsfrom widely dispersed locations and assist jointforce commanders in achieving decisive resultswithout the need for time-consuming and riskymassing of people and equipment. Even underaustere conditions, SOF can conduct 24-hour,multi-dimensional operations to penetrate deniedor sensitive areas and resolve terrorist activity,preempt the threat posed by weapons of massdestruction, and strike key targets with precisionand discrimination. Although a potent militaryforce, SOF can often accomplish their missionwithout resorting to the use of force. SOF train-ing skills combined with language proficiency,cultural awareness, regional orientation, andan understanding of the political context of theirmissions make SOF unique in the U.S. military—true “warrior diplomats.” SOF’s ability to helpmold the international environment, rather thanmerely responding to it, is our most importantday-to-day contribution to national securityand represents our “steady state” for the future.

Versatile Warriors

35

Moreover, this broad array of versatile capabilitiesallows SOF to “tailor to task” and operate effec-tively in any situation or environment.

SOF have a virtually ubiquitous presence through-out the world. They therefore serve the nation asglobal scouts with regard to tracking and reportingpolitical and social developments within theregions in which they operate.

Additionally, technological developments nowgive SOF unprecedented global reach and increas-ingly sophisticated means of insertion, support,and extraction of small units to penetrate andsuccessfully return from hostile, denied, or politi-cally sensitive areas. Consequently, SOF providethe President and Secretary of Defense with abroad range of capabilities and flexible optionswhen considering appropriate responses to crises.

The People. Like the Services, the strengthof SOF resides in its people. Our philosophicalapproach is to equip the warrior, not man theequipment. This concept permeates our thinkingand frames our attitude to developing our capabili-ties.

Characteristics of theSOF War Fighter

� Specialized skills, equipment and tactics

� Regional focus

� Language skills

� Political and cultural sensitivity

� Small flexible, joint-force

The ranks of SOF require mature, selectivelyrecruited personnel. Trained for certainty andeducated for uncertainty, they are equally adeptat using sophisticated equipment or low-techsolutions to accomplish their mission.

Core Values. SOF teams are specifically trainedto function in small isolated units within culturallyand politically sensitive environments. Becausedifficult decisions must often be made in theseisolated environments, standards of behaviorare critical. Our standards of behavior are ourunchanging core values: absolute integrity in allwe do, courage and competence when we do it,and creativity to accomplish our mission in anycircumstances using whatever tools are at hand.

Core Values� Integrity

� Courage

� Competence

� Creativity

Mission. As has been discussed previously, theUnited States of America has always had SOF, butonly activated such units on an ad hoc basis, andoften dismantled the unit once the crisis hadpassed. A new era began for the special operationscom-munity on 16 April 1987 with the activationof the United States Special Operations Command(USSOCOM). Under the leadership ofUSSOCOM, SOF components, and TheaterSpecial Operations Commands, special operationsmissions are vetted, planned, and fully integratedinto the commander’s collective security plansand contingency operations. All SOF missionsare conducted in a joint environment.

Operational SOF Mission Criteria

� Is it an appropriate SOF Mission?

� Does it support commander’s Campaign Plan?

� Are required resources available to execute?

� Does expected outcome justify the risk?

36

Nine SOF Core TasksSOF relevance is its people and it’s the peoplewho are organized, trained and equipped to assistour American Ambassadors and the GeographicCombatant Commander in their directed missions.Through the capabilities to conduct their ninecore tasks, SOF provides the President and Secre-tary of Defense expanded options and a strategiceconomy of force.

Counterterrorism (CT) – is our number onemission. CT produces effective protective measuresto reduce the probability of a successful terroristattack against U.S. interests. This task involvesoffensive measures taken to prevent, deter, pre-empt, and respond to terrorism. SOF are specifi-cally organized, trained, and equipped to conductcovert, clandestine, or discreet CT missions inhostile, denied, or politically sensitive environ-ments. These missions include, but are not limitedto intelligence operations, attacks against terroristnetworks and infrastructures, hostage rescue,recovery of sensitive material from terrorist organi-zations, and non-kinetic activities aimed at theideologies or motivations that spawn terrorism.

Counterproliferation (CP) of Weapons ofMass Destruction (WMD) – refers to actionstaken to support DOD and other governmentalagencies to prevent, limit, and/or minimize thedevelopment, possession, and employment ofweapons of mass destruction, new advancedweapons, and advanced-weapon-capable tech-nologies. The major objectives of DOD policyare to prevent acquisition of WMD and missilecapabilities (i.e., preventive defense), roll backproliferation where it has occurred, deter the useof WMD and their delivery systems, and adaptU.S. military forces and planning to operateagainst the threats posed by WMD and theirdelivery systems. SOF provide unique capa-bilities to monitor and support DOD policy.

Special Reconnaissance (SR) – reconnaissanceand surveillance actions conducted as specialoperations in hostile, denied or politically sensitiveenvironments to collect or verify information of

strategic or operational significance, employingmilitary capabilities not normally found in conven-tional forces. These actions provide an additivecapability for commanders and may supplementother intelligence collection when conventionalreconnaissance and surveillance actions are limitedby weather, terrain, or adversary countermeasures.

Direct Action (DA) – the conduct of short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensiveactions conducted as a special operation in hostile,denied, or politically sensitive environments toseize, destroy, capture, exploit, recover, or damagedesignated targets of strategic or operationalsignificance, employing specialized military capa-bilities. Direct action difffers from conventionaloffensive actions in the level of physical andpolitical risk, operational techniques, and the useof discriminating force to achieve specific objec-tives.

Unconventional Warfare (UW) – a broadspectrum of military and paramilitary operations,normally of a long duration. UW is predominant-ly conducted by, with, or through indigenous orsurrogate forces who are organized, trained,equipped, supported, and directed in varyingdegrees by an external source. UW includesguerrilla warfare and other direct offensive, low-visibility, covert, or clandestine operations, aswell as the indirect activities of subversion,sabatoge, intelligence activities, and unconven-tional assisted recovery.

Information Operations (IO) – actions taken toinfluence, affect or defend information, informa-tion systems and decision-making.

Psychological Operations (PSYOP) – plannedoperations to convey truthful information andindicators to foreign audiences to influence theiremotions, motives, objective reasoning, andultimately, the behavior of foreign governments,organizations, groups, and individuals. Thepurpose of PSYOP is to induce or reinforceforeign attitudes and behaviors favorable tothe originator’s objectives.

37

Foreign Internal Defense (FID) – participationby civilian or military agencies of a government inany of the action programs taken by anothergovernment or other designated organization tofree their society from subversion, lawlessness, andinsurgency. SOF’s primary contribution to thisinteragency activity is to organize, train, advise,and assist host-nation (HN) military and para-military forces. The goal is to enable these forces tomaintain the HN’s internal stability, to countersubversion and violence in their country, and toaddress the causes of instability.

Civil Affairs Operations (CAO) – operationsconsisting of civil affairs (CA) activities andspecialized support provided to commandersresponsible for conducting civil military operations(CMO). CA activities involve establishing andconducting military government or civil adminis-tration until civilian authority or government canbe restored or transitioned to other appropriateauthorities. CA supports CMO by focusing effortsto minimize civilian interference with militaryoperations and limit the adverse impact of militaryoperations on civilian populations and resources.

SOF Core TasksAcross the Range of Military Operations

(Across the Spectrum of Conflict)

PEACETIMEOPERATIONS

COMBATOPERATIONS

PEACETIMEOPERATIONS

COUNTERTERRORISM

COUNTERPROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE

DIRECT ACTION

UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE

INFORMATION OPERATIONS

PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS

FOREIGN INTERNAL DEFENSE

CIVIL AFFAIRS OPERATIONS

CONFLICTPRE-CONFLICT POST-CONFLICT

38

39

Current OperationsU.S. SOF are conducting more missions, in moreplaces, and under a broader range of conditionsthan ever before. SOF, working with U.S. combataviation and precision guided delivery systems,were cruical components of both OperationsENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM:sucessful efforts to dismantle two terrorist regimesand to destroy al’Qaida and other terrorist groupswho sought sanctuaries and safehavens in Afghani-

SOF OPERATIONSAROUND THE WORLD

stan and Iraq. In FY02, SOF units deployed to 148countries and territories. In any given week, over4,900 SOF operators are deployed in numerouscountries worldwide. Operations and numerousjoint/combined exercises in the United States andoverseas, continue to reinforce two key principles.First, SOF provide complementary capabilitiesthat, when used in conjunction with conventionalforces, expand the military options of a joint force

Commanders’ Areas of Reponsibility

40

commander (JFC). Second, SOF are most effectivewhen they are fully integrated into a JFC’s cam-paign plan. The theater SOCs, highlighted in thissection, ensure that SOF capabilities are consideredthroughout the entire planning process and fullyintegrated into both peacetime and wartime plans.

Theater Special Operations Commands (SOC)are sub-unified commands established withineach geographic unified command. The function ofthe SOC is to ensure that SOF are fully integratedinto the Geographic Combatant Commander’scollective security plans and contingency opera-tions. The SOC commander plans and conductsjoint special operations, ensuring that SOF capa-bilities are matched to mission requirements whileadvising component commanders in theater onthe proper employment of SOF. Additionally,

SOCs provide the core element for establishing ajoint special operations task force (JSOTF)—aquick reaction command and control element thatcan respond immediately to regional emergencies.As a result, JSOTFs are usually the first U.S.military elements to deploy to areas affected byan emergency situation. One of the major roles ofUSSOCOM is to support geographic commands byproviding certain types of funding to the SOCs forSOF-unique activities and personnel. Among thecommon support activities SOCs provide are:

Counter-Narcoterrorism – Support to interagencyand host-nation measures taken to detect, inter-dict, disrupt, or curtail any action that is reasonablyrelated to illegal narcotics activity. Among othersupport provided, SEALs, Special Boat Team

Unified Commands and Theater SpecialOperations Commands (SOCs)

41

personnel, Air Force SOF, and Army Special Forcesteams are continuously training host nationcounter-narcotics forces in a wide range of skillsapplicable to drug interdiction.

Demining – In coordination with host nationsand U.S. government agencies, the SOCs designand manage training programs to improve mineawareness, detection and recovery, as well as thetreatment of casualties.

Integrated Survey Program – SOF teams conductsurveys of U.S. facilities, including embassies andconsulates supporting State Department Emer-gency Actions Plans and Non-Combatant Evacua-tion Operations. These teams also frequently

deploy in emergency situations to support U.S.Ambassadors in their efforts to assess the impacton host nations of such events as natural disastersor civil unrest.

Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET)Exercises – Training activities with host nationforces that provide SOF with immersion trainingin the customs and language of foreign nations,while exercising a spectrum of SOF military skills.In addition to improving SOF skills, JCETs providean effective means to cultivate relationships thatfrequently open diplomatic doors for other forms ofnation-to-nation cooperation.

Humanitarian Relief – Humanitarian reliefefforts include hurricane rescue and earth-quake and flood relief.

Theater Special Operations Commands

Combatant CommandPolicy Guidance OversightProvides Forces and Assists

DOES NOT HAVE SOC

NORTHCOM

SOUTHCOM

SOCSO

USFK

SOC-K

CENTCOM

SOCCENT

USJFCOM

SOCJFCOM

EUCOM

SOCEUR

PACOM

SOCPAC

NAVSPECWARCOM

USSOCOM

USASOC

JSOC

AFSOC

PRESIDENT

SECDEF

CJCS

ASDSO/LIC

42

United States Central Command’s(USCENTCOM) area of responsibility isone of the most dynamic and diverse areas ofthe world. It is an area that has been, and willcontinue to be, vitally important to the UnitedStates. Operations ENDURING FREEDOM andIRAQI FREEDOM, currently focused on theCENTCOM region, underscores the importance ofcontinued and expanded cooperation throughoutthe range of SOF activities. The Central Region isthe birth place of three of the world’s major reli-gions; has a population of over 428 million people;and consists of 17 different ethnic groups, sixmajor languages, hundreds of dialects, varied

forms of government, and a wide range of percapita incomes. CENTCOM’s strategy of“Shaping the Central Region for the 21stCentury” seeks to integrate the efforts of U.S.Central Command with those of other U.S.government agencies, non-governmental/private volunteer organizations, and our part-ners in the region to obtain the shared goal of apeaceful, stable, and prosperous Central Region.Implementing this strategy involves the fullspectrum of security cooperation, includingwarfighting and contingency planning, com-bined and bilateral exercises, and monitoring,security assistance, and demining operations.

United States Central Commandand Special Operations

Command, Central (SOCCENT)

43

Special Operations Command Central(SOCCENT) implements the command’stheater strategy through numerous initiativesand programs. SOCCENT’s culturally sensitiveforces provide a direct link to host-nationcounterparts and work to formalize coalitionoperations procedures, agreements, and doctrinefor coalition warfare. SOCCENT has severalforward-positioned command and controlelements.

Headquarters Structure. Located in Florida.The command is organized similar to other jointcommands with responsibilities divided amongsix directorates: personnel, operations, plans,intelligence, logistics, and communications.Command manning is heavily reliant uponindividual mobilization augmentees.

Recent Operations. SOCCENT is committedto support the CENTCOM’s regional strategythrough a variety of initiatives that also supportthe U.S. defense policy goals of assure allies andfriends, dissuade future military competition,deter threats and coercion against U.S. inter-ests, and decisively defeat the adversary. Somerecent operations and initiatives conducted bySOCCENT forces are described below.

Operations ENDURING FREEDOM andIRAQI FREEDOM. In September 2001,SOCCENT was thrust into the world spotlight asthe main effort in the War on Terrorism.SOCCENT went to wartime conditions and iscurrently executing CENTCOM’s war plan. Theheadquarters deployed in support of OperationENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOMand will continue to be engaged in Afghanistanand Iraq for the foreseeable future.

Maritime Interception Operations (MIO).SOCCENT supported UN sanctions enforce-ment through MIO conducted in support ofUN Security Council Resolution 687 thatimposed international trade and economicsanctions against Iraq. Supporting EnduringFreedom, SOCCENT has coordinated a largeincrease in the number of MIO operations.

Maritime intercept operations

Operation DESERT SPRING. SOCCENTcontinues Operation DESERT SPRING withincreased emphasis in the Operation ENDURINGFREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM environments.The original purpose of the exercise remains thesame: to provide combat support units for terminalguidance of close air support. Operation DESERTSPRING has expanded to include SF teams and aspecial operations command and control element.

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Demining training

Demining. SOCCENT forces plan, establish,and conduct humanitarian demining operationsto provide a self-sustaining, indigenous capability.Training is performed to locate, identify, andcreate databases for mine locations; eliminate thethreat of land mines and unexploded ordnance;reduce the risk to life and property; return landto productive use; and train and maintain indig-enous forces in demining techniques. Deminingoperations have been conducted in Yemen, Jordan,Djibouti, Oman, and Afghanistan. The partner-ship established through the demining programhas become the prototype for all other deminingprograms throughout the world.

Counter-Narcoterrorism. SOCCENT supportshost-nation measures taken to detect, interdict,disrupt, or curtail any action that is reasonablyrelated to illegal narcotics activity.

Live fire training for Uzbek forces

Integrated Survey Program (ISP). SOCCENTforces conduct surveys of U.S. facilities, includ-ing embassies and consulates, within the AORon a recurring basis. These surveys support StateDepartment emergency action plans for each post.In addition, surveys provide planning informationfor Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations.

Central Asian States. USCENTCOM hasresponsibility for all military activities for thecountries in the Central Asian Region.SOCCENT’s inherently small footprint andculturally sensitive forces play a critical rolein nurturing CENTCOM’s relationships inthis region.

JCS and JCET Exercises. SOCCENT’sJoint Chief’s of Staff and Joint CombinedExchange Training exercise programs are vitalsecurity cooperation tools that support the theaterstrategy. Two primary goals of these programs areto enhance SOF’s warfighting capability throughmaintaining combat readiness and to maintainaccess and presence in the area of responsibility.These exercises also provide the principal meansby which to improve coalition warfighting capab-ilities while simultaneously building strongmilitary-to-military relationships.

Conclusion. SOCCENT stands at the fore-front of the War on Terror employing specialoperations in a rapidly changing AOR. Fromthe east African nations to Kazakhstan,SOCCENT’s deployed forces are engaged inan extensive series of operations and trainingexercises aimed at professionalizing selectednational military forces. SOCCENT’s pivotalrole in Operations ENDURING FREEDOMand IRAQ FREEDOM, combined with theirinherently small footprint and culturally sensi-tive forces, will continue to play a role instabilizing this area.

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United States European Command (USEUCOM)is the second largest geographic area of responsibil-ity in the unified combatant command structure.Spanning three continents and encompassing91 countries, it extends over 13 million squaremiles and is home to more than one billionpeople of extremely diverse backgrounds, race,and cultures. Europe is a key trading partner withAmerica. Europe and the United States producealmost half of all the global goods and services;more than 60 percent of total U.S. investmentabroad is in Europe; commerce between thetwo partners exceeds $1 billion per day. Apartfrom commercial interests, U.S. interests in the

USEUCOM area of responsibility also stem fromthe deeply rooted historical, cultural, and racialties the American population has with the peoplesof Europe and Africa. U.S. goals in the regioninclude fostering a European community that isintegrated, democratic, prosperous, and at peace.

With regard to Africa, USEUCOM activitiesare focused on supporting concerted efforts totransform the U.S. relationship with Africathrough regional initiatives. These are initiativesdesigned to enhance the independence of statesand promote interstate cooperation in dealingwith regional security challenges.

United States European Commandand Special Operations

Command, Europe (SOCEUR)

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Special Operations Command, Europe(SOCEUR) is a deployable headquartersand employs the personnel and special-capability platforms of Army Special Forces,Naval Special Warfare (SEALs and SpecialWarfare Combatant-craft Crewmen), AirForce Special Operations Forces, Civil Affairs,and Psychological Operations to accomplishits assigned tasks. The forces include SOCEURunits based in Europe and select augmentationfrom continental U.S.-based organizations.

Special operations aircraft conduct aerial refueling

The distinctive capabilities of SOCEUR’scomponent commands, manned by highlytrained, mature, and resourceful people, offerUSEUCOM a wide range of special operationscapabilities. SOCEUR stands ready to promotepeace and stability and to defeat adversariesthroughout the AOR as directed, and in sup-port of USEUCOM strategies. To accomplishthese theater objectives, USEUCOM relieson SOCEUR to provide unconventionalmilitary options.

Current Activities. After the events ofSeptember 11th, SOCEUR rapidly transitionedto a campaign supporting the War on Terrorism,while continuing numerous operations and activi-ties in Europe and Africa. SOCEUR providedcritical sustainment for Special Operations Com-mand Central (SOCCENT) to conduct offensivecombat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.SOCEUR’s efforts in coordination with U.S.Army Europe and U.S. Air Forces Europe contrib-uted to their overall mission success. Since 1999,SOCEUR has provided joint SOF support to theKosovo Peacekeeping Force (KFOR). SOCEUR

also supported Operation NORTHERN WATCH,while maintaining the ability to conduct the fullrange of contingency operations.

In addition to supporting ongoing operationsand maintaining readiness for contingencyoperations, SOCEUR has provided trainingthat has significantly enhanced the combatcapabilities of numerous countries in the AOR.Most notably, SOCEUR concluded OperationFOCUS RELIEF, a 14-month mission thatprovided training and equipment to sevenbattalions from the countries of Nigeria, Ghana,and Senegal. SOCEUR also trained over 8,500soldiers from eight African countries in Peace-keeping Operations (PKO) under the AfricanCrisis Response Initiative, which producedtrained units capable of conducting PKO inthe region.

SOCEUR also conducts a wide range of securitycooperation activities throughout the AOR.These activities include Joint Combined ExchangeTraining events, Joint Contact Team Programtraining, security assistance activities, humani-tarian demining operations, and Civil Affairstraining. The events include U.S. SOF and hostnation elements in activities ranging from com-bined small unit tactical training to briefingsat the Ministry of Defense level. These activitiesenhance cooperation, add to the safety and stabil-ity of the region, and maintain a SOF presence inpriority countries.

Special Forces coordinate combined operations with Russiansoldiers in Kosovo

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SEALs conduct heliborne visit board search and seizure training

Conclusion. SOCEUR maintains its readinessto conduct contingency operations, to respond tothe full range of conflict, and to continue securitycooperation assistance. These efforts have shownthe importance of SOF in the theater. Support toOperations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQIFREEDOM demonstrated the unique capabilitiesand tenacity of SOF warriors who tirelessly accom-

plish the mission. Support to the StabilizationForce demonstrates SOF ability to adapt and meetunexpected challenges. Support to KFOR demon-strates SOF’s flexibility and expertise. Finally,Operation NORTHERN WATCH has shown theindispensable value of SOF.

These operations reveal that SOF has the capa-bility to meet the challenges of the dynamic andunpredictable environment. SOCEUR continuesto maximize its forward presence, and achievesuccess employing our high value, low-densityforces. Readiness to respond to crises is SOCEUR’shighest priority, reflected by its motto—SemperPreparate (Always Prepared). SOCEUR providesthe “point of the spear” for operations throughoutthe theater—to thwart terrorism, to stem theproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, toprevent conflict through security cooperation, andto respond to crises with precision and strength.

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United States Pacific Commandand Special Operations

Command, Pacific (SOCPAC)

United States Pacific Command’s (USPACOM)area of responsibility represents the largest geo-graphic area of the unified commands. The areacovers over half of the earth’s surface with over105 million square miles and nearly 60 percentof the world’s population. Distance, diversity,and change characterize the PACOM AOR.Although the Asian-Pacific Rim has experi-enced an economic slowdown, over the lastdecade Asia’s economic growth rate was twicethat of the world as a whole. This growth hasincreased competition for both natural resourcesand markets. Thirty-six percent of U.S. merchan-dise trade is within the region and over threemillion American jobs are linked to Asian exportmarkets. Sovereignty claims to areas such as theSpratly Islands have become important due to

the resource potential of the surrounding seas.Economic growth has fueled an expansion ofmilitary technologies and capabilities. The sixlargest armed forces in the world operate in thePacific AOR. Military capabilities in the regionare increasingly modern due to technical devel-opment and economic growth. This enhancedmilitary capability has resulted in several nationspossessing the capability to build and deliverweapons of mass destruction (WMD). Otherregional nations also have the economic andtechnical sophistication to develop WMD capa-bilities on short notice, should they believe athreat exists. USPACOM stands ready to pro-tect vital U.S. interests in the Asian-Pacificarea, while simultaneously fostering regionalpeace, prosperity, and security.

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The political challenges in the region are alsochanging. Asian-Pacific nations are proud oftheir cultures and sensitive about issues of indepen-dence and sovereignty. These nations are strikinglydiverse in size, population, culture, and history.The 43 nations, 20 territories, and ten U.S.territories represent 75 official languages andover 20 distinct religions. Security concerns andthreats, such as the Korean peninsula, PeoplesRepublic of China aggression against Taiwan,Indo-Pakistani border, and Indonesia, remainconcerns. Local insurrection, territorial disputes,religious and ethnic conflicts, and illegal drugtrafficking have economic, political, and mili-tary implications for the commander and alltheater service components. The commander’sstrategy harmonizes employment of militaryresources through activities that promotepeace and stability with the other elementsof national power. This strategy recognizescontributions made, both directly and indirectly,by military forces supporting the new defensepolicy goals. This strategy focuses on continuedmilitary presence in the region demonstratingU.S. commitment, developing trust, and deter-ring aggressors.

Special Operations Command Pacific(SOCPAC),located in Hawaii, is a sub-unified command andserves as the SOF component command for theU.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility.It supports theater strategy principally throughcrisis response and through numerous initiativesand programs aimed at both assisting nationsand developing close working relationshipswith counterpart forces.

SOCPAC supports PACOM’s collective securityplan through demining training activities, counter-drug training, bilateral/multilateral exercises, JointCombined Exchange Training (JCET), PacificSituation Assessment Teams (PSAT) and theannual Pacific Area Special Operations Confer-ence. Theater Security Cooperation seeks to:

� Demonstrate continued American intentand capability

� Reassure allies and friends

� Promote regional stability, cooperationand trust

� Deter potential regional aggressors; buildforce inter-operability

� Maintain access to host-nation supportand facilities

Responding to Crises. SOCPAC providesPACOM with a highly capable crisis responseforce. Crisis response is provided by a rapidlydeployable Joint Task Force (JTF). WithSOCPAC as the nucleus, JTF is specificallystructured for, and capable of, timely response tospecial contingencies, humanitarian assistance,disaster relief, noncombatant evacuation opera-tions, and other crises. With a secure, mission-tailored, highly mobile, reliable communicationspackage, JTF is usually the first to deploy in real-world crises and in each major exercise.

Demining. Landmines continue to inflicthundreds of civilian casualties per month.Additionally, the mine threat removes arableland from production and reduces the flow ofcommerce. Various factions laid these minesover the last 40 years. SOF, in cooperationwith the host nation and U.S. governmentagencies, have designed and managed a train-ing program to improve mine awareness,detection and recovery, and the treatmentof casualties. Other countries plagued bylandmines are looking at ways to participatein the program.

Counter-Narcoterrorism. Southeast Asia remainsone of the world’s largest drug-producing areas.SOF assist host nations in improving their capabil-ity to deal with this significant problem. Specifi-cally, SOF conduct training to improve planning,

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expertise, and small-unit tactics of host-nationmilitary and law enforcement agencies to increasetheir ability to battle narco-terrorists. SOCPACforces were instrumental in training the ThaiTask Force to help curb the flow of drugs fromBurma into Thailand. This training benefits thehost nation’s environment through activities thatpromote peace and stability. The strategy focuseson continued military presence in the region—demonstrating U.S. commitment, developingtrust, and deterring aggressors.

Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET).One of the cornerstones supporting the newdefense policy goals is the SOCPAC-managedJCET program. This program fulfills SOF trainingrequirements and allows the sharing of skillsbetween SOF elements and their host-nationcounterparts. These activities include airborne andair mobile patrolling, lifesaving, reconnaissance,and small-unit tactics. JCET activities improveSOF and host nation capabilities, and also demon-strate the PACOM commander’s commitment toconstructive cooperation. In addition, human-itarian and civic action projects, done inconjunction with JCET events, provide tangiblebenefits for the host-nation civilian population.Participants include in-theater and CONUS unitsfrom both the active duty and Reserve Componentforce. The commander uses this cornerstoneprogram for initial military-to-military contact,annually demonstrated through presence in someof the smaller countries, and as part of an ongoingmilitary program in many of the larger nations.

Pacific Situation Assessment Team (PSAT).PSAT enhances coordination between thePACOM commander and the U.S. Chief ofMission’s country team by providing on-siteadvice regarding the suitability and feasibilityof the application of military forces and resourcesin support of U.S. government responses to crisissituations. The annual Pacific Area SpecialOperations Conference (PASOC) is another forumthat supports theater security cooperation.This weeklong conference, comprising over 140

delegates—including 20 flag officers—from 24countries and over 250 attendees, provides thecommanders with an “azimuth check” for U.S.peacetime cooperation. In addition, PASOCprovides a unique opportunity to develop, in amultilateral setting, senior foreign military contactsthat will facilitate the conduct of future exercises,crisis response, and other operations within thearea of responsibility.

SF soldier teaches shooting skills to AFP soldiers

Security Assistance. In FY02 U.S. Special Forcesconducted security assistance to develop theArmed Forces Philippines (AFP) Counterterrorist(CT) unit. The purpose of this operation was todevelop the CT capabilities of the AFP, SouthernCommand while enhancing and supporting peace-time theater security cooperation in the Pacificarea of responsibility. The eight phase trainingfocused on small-scale recovery operations and thecollective execution of close quarter battle. In theend, the AFP CT unit was capable of unilaterallyplanning and executing CT operations in urbanand rural environments.

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Live fire drill in the Republic of the Philippines

Conclusion. SOCPAC serves as the SOF focalpoint for the most expansive and diverse geo-graphic area of the world. In an AOR that ischaracterized by distance, diversity and change,SOCPAC fulfills a key role in harmonizing theuse of military resources in the region with otherelements of national power. The presence ofthis command and its deployed service membersserves to demonstrate U.S. commitment, developtrust among pacific nations, and deter aggressionthroughout the region.

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United States Southern Command’s(USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility en-compasses the land mass and surrounding watersof Latin America south of Mexico and SouthAmerica. This area is approximately 10 millionsquare miles or approximately one-sixth of theworld’s entire land area. Every country conductsnational elections and employs a democraticform of government. Economically, the regionis vital to our Nation’s continued prosperity.

Over 30 percent of U.S. trade originates from thisAOR. Brazil is the world’s ninth largest economy,larger than Canada’s. Over 300 million peopleof the area speak eight official languages: English,Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, French, Guarani,Quechua, and Aymara. Extreme differences ingeography, topography, prosperity, stability, andethnicity characterize the theater.

United States Southern Commandand Special Operations

Command, South (SOCSOUTH)

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SEALs conduct joint training with Special Operations AviationRegiment.

Special Operations Command South(SOCSOUTH), forward based in Puerto Rico,is USSOUTHCOM’s subordinate unified com-mand for special operations. It is responsible forall SOF in the theater, to include Civil Affairsand Psychological Operations forces.

SOCSOUTH is a joint headquarters. U.S.Special Operations Command, SOFs primaryforce provider, augments SOCSOUTH withU.S.-based SOF forces to respond to the fullspectrum of crises, from transnational threats,through the myriad forms of smaller-scalecontingencies, to full-scale war.

Challenges. Many of the region’s democraciesremain fragile, their basis undermined by wide-spread economic, sociological, and politicalproblems. They face security problems that aremultidimensional and localized. Latin Americahas the most uneven distribution of incomeand wealth, where the poorest 40 percent ofthe population receive only 10 percent of theincome. Poverty is widespread. Rapid popula-tion growth, proliferating transnational threats,international drug trafficking, organized crime,terrorism, environmental exploitation, illegalmigration, the proliferation of land mines, and

illegal paramilitary forces challenge the well-beingand moral fiber of every country in the WesternHemisphere. Regional domestic crime threatensU.S. economic interests and the security of ourcitizens abroad—over 3,000 kidnappings per yearoccur in Colombia, one-half of the world’s abduc-tions. The region’s porous borders, the expandinginfluence of insurgent organizations, and thesymbiotic relationship between the illicit drugindustry and insurgencies combine to make theregion the most complex in the world.

Regional security considerations now includethreats to the domestic order that challenge astate’s ability to hold the country together andto govern. Today, many regional militaries focuson issues that garner the support of the peoplefor the government. This includes respond-ing to natural disasters and their aftermath;domestic threats; and dealing with non-stateactors including terrorists, organized crime,and paramilitary groups.

U.S. trained Colombian counter-narcotics soldiers conduct atraining raid on a drug lab.

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To assist in the U.S. effort to meet these chal-lenges, SOCSOUTH provides a flexible meansof accomplishing a wide-range of missions. As thetheater’s only rapid response force, SOCSOUTHis commonly called upon to handle emergenciesrequiring immediate military assistance.

Strategy. SOCSOUTH supports theUSSOUTHCOM Strategy by applying SOFcapabilities to expand and strengthen alliances andsecurity relationships. This application of SOFassures our regional allies and friends of U.S.national resolve to support, defend, and advancecommon interests within the Americas.

� Assisting U.S. agencies in training host-nationforces to combat terrorist groups and to targetdrug production and trafficking, as well as andsupport interagency efforts to interdict the flowof drugs and related materials in the transit zone

� Enhancing regional stability by assisting friendlynations in coping with internal and externalthreats to their security, while fostering pro-fessionalism and respect for human rights

� Building military-to-military contacts thatgenerate mutual trust, improve collectivemilitary capabilities, and promotedemocratic ideals

� Staying ready to conduct special operationsduring periods of conflict and peace insupport of U.S. interests

Counter-Narcoterrorism support is a major area offocus for USSOUTHCOM. Deployed on a con-tinuous basis throughout the source and transitzones, SOF supports interagency and host-nationmeasures taken to detect, interdict, disrupt, orcurtail any action that is reasonably related toillegal narcotics activity. Counter-Narcoterrorismdenies the revenue generated by drugs to terroristorganizations such as the FARC. SEAL and SpecialBoat Team personnel are constantly engaged intraining missions to assist participating nations incontrolling their coastlines and waterways. U.S.

Air Force SOF provide critical training that helphost-nations develop counterdrug aviation capa-bilities and support infrastructures. Army SpecialForces (SF) detachments continuously train host-nation forces in a wide range of relevant skills.Through the precise application of these highlytrained SOF, SOCSOUTH directly contributes tothe accomplishment of theater objectives.

Combined Training. To assure our regionalpartners of U.S. resolve while dissuading poten-tial adversaries, SOCSOUTH manages over 450total deployments annually, averaging 42 missionsin 18 countries at any given time. Combinedtraining is a primary means of interaction withparticipating nation’s military forces and providesthe link for USSOUTHCOM’s counter-narcoterrorism strategy.

Host nation soldiers receive 81mm mortar training from aSpecial Forces soldier during a combined training deployment.

The U.S.’s largest foreign policy effort, has helpedthe Colombian Government make substantialinroads in neutralizing those organizations respon-sible for illicit drug activities and terrorism in itscountry. As USSOUTHCOM’s major implementerfor this U.S. national strategic effort, in accordancewith NSPD-18, SOCSOUTH has directly overseenthe training and fielding of three Colombian ArmyCounterdrug Battalions and a CounterdrugBrigade Headquarters. This brigade is a force

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that is capable of day/night operations in allweather and terrain; a highly professional forcethat operates within the rule of law and respectsand promotes universal human rights. Currently,SOCSOUTH is ensuring the sustainment andcontinued operational capabilities of this newlyformed Counterdrug Brigade through a robustsustainment-training program.

Combined Exercises. The USSOUTHCOMcombined exercise program supports securitycooperation in the AOR by providing tailoredopportunities to sustain positive trends in thedevelopment of both appropriate roles and mis-sions, and cooperative, interoperable capabilitiesto respond to shared challenges.

SOCSOUTH hosts the annual SOF CombatingTerrorism Symposium. This activity brings securityforces from throughout the region together infriendship to exchange ideas and foster dialogueon the common issue of combating terrorism.Additionally, SOCSOUTH deploys forces onnumerous occasions to improve force protectionfor U.S. units and enhance the safety of U.S.citizens and interests during periods of internalstrife.

SOCSOUTH is dedicated to providing SOFexpertise to the USSOUTHCOM exerciseprogram, serving as executive agent for twoJoint Chief of Staff exercises. One exercise isa joint and combined field training exercisewith South American countries that focus onpeacekeeping operations skills. This exerciseserves to promote regional stability. Anotherexercise is an annual contingency responseevent that provides superb training in opera-tional planning and warfighting skills to U.S.SOF. Additionally, SOCSOUTH participatesin a variety of other exercises designed toenhance U.S. joint interoperability.

Special Forces soldiers conduct assault training in support ofUSSOUTHCOM contingency operations

Humanitarian Demining. The residual effects ofprevious regional conflicts and the proliferationof land mines pose a significant threat to severalof the region’s countries. SOCSOUTH averagesfour humanitarian demining deployments withinfive Central and South American countries peryear. This program continues to save hundredsof lives each year and provides a stabilizing influ-ence throughout the region. These operations fullysupport the Organization of American States andthe Inter-American Defense Board by providingtraining and technical advice and assistance.

Special Forces soldiers conduct assault training in support ofUSSOUTHCOM contingency operations.

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Host Nation soldiers receive demining training

Conclusion. SOCSOUTH remainsUSSOUTHCOM’s force of choice in supportingtheater and national strategy. SOCSOUTHcontinues to maintain a ubiquitous theater pres-ence with tailored SOF which posses a wide rangeof unique capabilities. SOCSOUTH leads the wayin assuring our theater friends and allies, that ifrequired, it remains prepared to deter and defeataggression at a moment’s notice.

U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM),headquartered in Virginia, the is one of nineunified commands in the Department of Defense.The commander of USJFCOM oversees the com-mand’s roles in transformation, experimentation,joint training, interoperability, and force provisionas outlined in the Department of Defense’s UnifiedCommand Plan. The Command has four essentialtasks:

� Discover promising alternatives through jointconcept development and experimentation

� Define enhancements to joint warfightingrequirements

� Develop joint warfighting capabilities throughjoint training and solutions

� Deliver joint forces and capabilities towarfighting commanders

The Department of Defense appointed U.S. JointForces Command as the “transformation labora-tory” of the United States military that serves toenhance the unified commanders’ capabilities toimplement transformation strategy. USJFCOMdevelops concepts, tests these concepts throughrigorous experimentation, educates joint leaders,trains joint forces, and makes recommendations onhow the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines canbetter integrate their warfighting capabilities.USJFCOM develops future concepts for jointwarfighting. Such work must include andstrengthen service efforts, draw on the best ofindustry, and follow the will of the citizens asexpressed through Congress.

Special Operations Command, United StatesJoint Forces Command (SOCJFCOM) has themission to train both conventional and specialoperations joint commanders and staffs in employ-ment considerations for SOF. Located in Virginia

United States Joint Forces Commandand Special Operations Command

Joint Forces Command (SOCJFCOM)

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tions. By working together with the JWFC,SOCJFCOM is able to assist many of the prospec-tive JTF headquarters (such as XVIII AirborneCorps, 6th Fleet, III Marine Expeditionary Force,and US Air Forces, US Central Command).

Sharpening the edge on SOF joint trainingmethodologies. Theater Special Operations Com-mands recognize the importance of their role asthe special operations advisor to their GeographicCombatant Commander, as well as commandingSOF throughout the AOR. SOCJFCOM assiststhe SOCs to train their operational headquartersby providing external training support. The SOCs,with USSOCOM and USSOCOM’s servicecomponents’ concurrence, increasingly task O-6commands to form the core of JSOTFs performingat the operational and tactical level. Below aresome examples of training assistance over the pasttwo years:

� Supported SOCPAC’s crawl, walk, run trainingin FY01 and FY02, and SOCPAC’s full upparticipation in the JCS exercise Tandem Thrust(all occurring just prior to Operation ENDUR-ING FREEDOM and their operations in thePhilippines)

near the USJFCOM Joint Warfighting Center(JWFC) and Joint Experimentation Center,SOCJFCOM is well situated to assist in enhancingboth the current and future readiness of SOF – andconventional forces. SOCJFCOM is fully inte-grated into the joint training and experimentationworld to ensure that key insights are shared be-tween the SOF and conventional communities.SOCJFCOM support the training of the Geo-graphic Combatant Commands, Joint Task Forces(JTF), Theater Special Operations Commands(SOC), and joint special operations task forces(JSOTFs). SOCJFCOM supports these commandsand staffs by providing academic seminars on SOFcapabilities, limitations, and employment consider-ations. They also provide SOF observer – trainerswhich impart additional training and feedbackduring the exercises or operations. SOCJFCOMalso collects and shares gained insights in tactics,techniques, and procedures and incorporatesemerging insights into joint concept developmentand experimentation.

Working with the JWFC, SOCJFCOM supportsapproximately 15 joint exercises per year world-wide within the priorities established by therespective Geographic Combatant Commanders.Also, they are called to support real world opera-

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� Assisted SOCCENT in preparation for INTER-NAL LOOK 03

� Assisted SOCSOUTH with their training priorto and during the JFCOM computer assistedsimulation exercise, UNIFIED ENDEAVOR

� Supported SOCEUR’s training of one of theirfunctional concept plans with subsequentplanned participation in a EUCOM JCSexercise

� After SOCJFCOM training support, SOCKORreviewed and modified their standard operatingprocedures, and subsequent exercise of itswarfighting competencies in ULCHI FOCUSLENS

USSOCOM is taking the next step in increasingSOF’s joint warfighting capabilities, developing along-term training strategy that incorporates thecrawl, walk, run methodology. This strategyconsists of going beyond the ‘walk (partiallytrained)’ level of training that SOCJFCOM, byitself, can support. It extends to the incorporationof all of the worldwide training opportunities andresources to increase warfighting proficiency to a‘fully trained’ level. The strategy starts with clearlydefined Joint Mission Essential Task List andidentification of those headquarters that may betasked as a JSOTF.

USSOCOM deliberately schedules operationalunits with SOCJFCOM for ‘crawl’ and ‘walk’training. This training is integrated with ‘run’training as part of OCONUS JCS exercises andUSJFCOM joint exercises in CONUS.

SOF Joint Training Teams (SOF JTTs).SOCJFCOM provides stand-alone ‘crawl and walk’level training support using ‘observer-trainers(O/T)’ – officers and noncommissioned officerswho have gained subject matter expertise throughself study, schooling, and experience gained frominvolvement in exercises and real world operations.The O/Ts deploy to the training unit as part ofSOCJFCOM tailored SOF Joint Training Teams(SOF JTTs). The SOF JTTs provide executive andfunctional level seminars and vignette style staffexercises, utilizing after action reports, andcommander’s summary reports to support thecommander’s training objectives. The SOF JTTcan also support the training audience in ‘run’training by supporting the planning and executionof JCS and JFCOM exercises.

Supporting joint concept development andexperimentation and integration. SOCJFCOMassists both USJFCOM and USSOCOM in theirconcept development and experimentation pro-grams and interoperability with the Services.SOCJFCOM reviews all USJFCOM conceptualdocuments, has a working knowledge of theirongoing experimentation program, and supportsexperiments such as the MILLENNIUM CHAL-LENGE and PINNACLE PATHWAY series.SOCJFCOM maintains visibility of current com-mand and control systems and procedures used bySOF. Uniquely postured during these training andoperational activities, SOCJFCOM observes andnotes interoperability challenges. These challengesare then shared with USSOCOM and USJFCOMfor vetting, assessment, and potential action.

Conclusion. The men and women withinSOCJFCOM, working with the Theater SOCsand the USJFCOM Joint Warfighting Center,assist today’s warfighter while supporting thetransformation of SOF.

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The Korean Theater of Operations.The Korean peninsula remains under the terms ofan armistice agreement signed by the opposingmilitary forces. Republic of Korea (ROK) and U.S.Military forces on the Korean peninsula worktogether to maintain peace through vigilance. TheKorean area of operations (AO) has a complex webof command relationships and is comprised of fivemilitary components, all commanded by Com-mander United States Forces Korea(COMUSKOREA). The Korean AO is uniquebecause COMUSKOREA is a sub-unified com-mander under United States Pacific Command(USPACOM).

COMUSKOREA wears three hats. As commander,United Nations Command, he is the internationalcommander responsible for maintaining thearmistice that has existed in Korea since 1953.As commander, ROK/U.S. Combined ForcesCommand, he is a bi-national commander whosupports Korea by deterring North Korean aggres-sion and, if necessary, defeating a North Koreanattack. Finally, he is the subordinate unified com-mander responsible for providing U.S. forces tocommander, United Nations Command.

Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR)is the theater SOC responsible for special opera-tions on the Korean peninsula and, when deter-rence fails, the Korean Theater of Operations(KTO). During armistice, SOCKOR is responsible

The Korean Theater of Operationsand Special Operations

Command, Korea (SOCKOR)

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Combat Shadow aircraft airdrops SOCKOR personnel at a dropzone in the Republic of Korea.

to the Geographic Combatant Commanderfor SOF war planning, targeting, training, andparticipation in exercises and contingencyoperations on the Korean peninsula. Duringarmistice, contingencies, and hostilities,SOCKOR exercises operational control ofthe U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment,Korea (SFD-K), which is the longest contin-uously serving SF unit in Asia. This organizationis key to ensuring inter-operability betweenROK Army Special Warfare Command (SWC)Brigades, Special Missions Group, Battalionsand U.S. SOF. The SF NCOs of SFD-K live,train, and work with the ROK Special ForcesBrigades on a daily basis, and thus play a criticalrole in the shaping of ROK and U.S. SOFoperations.

Deterrence and Readiness. Because of theunique command relationships in Korea,SOCKOR is the only theater SOC that is nota subordinate unified command. Established in1988 as a functional component command ofUSFK, SOCKOR is the principal organizationresponsible for the integration of U.S. SOF inKorea. Its’ primary mission focus is simple: beready to employ U.S. SOF and win, shouldwar resume in Korea.

Warfighting. Should deterrence fail in Korea,SOCKOR will combine with the Republic ofKorea Army SWC to establish the CombinedUnconventional Warfare Task Force (CUWTF).As the special operations component of Com-bined Forces Command, the CUWTF will planand conduct combined and joint special opera-tions throughout the then established KoreanTheater of Operations, exercising operationalcontrol of all assigned and attached ROK andU.S. SOF. Additionally, SOCKOR will functionas the United Nations Command Special Opera-tions Component Command, integrating allthird country SOF.

Cooperation. SOF long-term deployments helpdevelop the strategic environment by contributingdirectly to deterrence efforts. Through the integra-tion of ROK and U.S. SOF in combined exercises,SOCKOR assists in expanding Korean SOFcapabilities to respond to the spectrum of threats aswell as to ensure that there is post-reunificationrelevance for ROK SOF.

U.S. Special Forces Group and ROK Special Warfare Commandsoldiers conduct advanced small arms marksmanship with 9mmpistols during Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET).

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Contingencies. To add to the challenge posedby a return to hostilities, there are a number ofother scenarios that may occur. They includeNorth Korean terrorist actions, direct militaryconfrontations, threats of the use of Weaponsof Mass Destruction (WMD), missile launches,and other forms of provocation to gain politicaland economic concessions from the internationalcommunity. Other potential crises include mas-sive refugee flow, natural or man-made disasters,transfer of or loss of control of WMD, the out-break of civil war within North Korea, andcollapse of the North Korean regime. Therefore,as ROK and U.S. SOF train for war, they mustalso prepare for the uncertainty and complexityof post-hostilities and a wide range of potentialcrises requiring swift and skilled military inter-vention. This is a uniquely human endeavor andwhile advanced technology will have importantapplications in these scenarios, it is the humanelement which is key to success. The culturalawareness and language abilities of SOF unitswill play a critical role in influencing the NorthKorean population and assisting allied forcesin the transition to a reunified Korean Peninsula.

MK-V from a Special Boat Team carries U.S. andROK Navy SEALs off the Korean coast during a ROK/U.S.JCS exercise.

Conclusion. ROK and U.S. SOF have animportant role to play as force multipliers insupporting the commander’s campaign plan.It is highly likely that the entire range of specialoperations missions will be conducted in someform should hostilities resume or other crisisoccur. Therefore, SOCKOR and U.S. SOFmust remain focused on their ability to exe-cute the full spectrum of special operationsin Korea.

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Throughout history, success by a small force againsta strategic or operational objective has frequentlyrequired units with combinations of special peoplewith specialized training, experience and equip-ment that employ tactics not found in conven-tional units. These attributes have allowed suchunits to be employed in unconventional ways, forwhich the enemy often was unprepared. In gen-eral, tasks that require “special” operating forcesinclude those that:

� Have potential strategic impact and requirejudgment and discretion by the individualoperator

� Require a small group that presents a minimalfootprint – when clandestine operation isdesired, or where presence is denied to conven-tional forces

� Require the application of techniques, intelli-gence, and/or technology beyond the training ofconventional forces

� Require strategic decision-making under stress

� Involve the creative application of force outsideconventional doctrine

� Require perseverance beyond the sustainabilityof conventional forces, or operation in difficultenvironments

� Require human observation, interaction, andinitiative at the point of contact

� Require presence prior to, during and continuingafter an action

SOF Essence. SOF perform, accomplish, andsustain missions strategic in nature and impact.SOF are viable across the full spectrum (peacetimeengagement to high-intensity combat) of inte-grated operations. SOF utilize extraordinary meansand possess unique capabilities that are not found

TRANSFORMINGSPECIAL OPERATIONS

in other elements of the general-purpose U.S.Armed Forces or those forces of other nations.SOF achieve unique levels of relevance by exploit-ing peculiar organizations, training, and equipmentwhile maintaining distinctive personnel.

USSOCOM faces a strategic environment charac-terized by geopolitical shifts, rapid technologicalchanges, evolving threats, constrained resources,and evolving roles. These factors require innova-tive thinking and new ways to shape change if weare to provide the widest array of options forprotecting America’s interests. A primary objectiveof transformation is to increase the margin of ouradvantage over potential adversaries in all facets ofwarfare. These facets of warfare include: projectingpower to any location on the globe at a time of ourown choosing; dominating the information spacewhile preventing adversaries from affecting ourinformation operations; and defeating our enemiesdecisively with unparalleled speed and precision.This transformation objective must be accom-plished while reducing the human and fiscal costsassociated with the planning, preparation andconduct of warfare.

The 21st century SOF Warrior—selectively re-cruited and assessed, mature, superbly trained andled—will remain the key to success in specialoperations. These warriors must be capable ofconducting strategic operations in all tacticalenvironments—combining a warrior ethos withlanguage proficiency, cultural awareness, politicalsensitivity, and the ability to maximize InformationAge technology. SOF must also have the intellec-tual agility to conceptualize creative, useful solu-tions to ambiguous problems, and provide a coher-ent set of choices to the Combatant Commandersor Joint Force Commander.

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Vectors of TransformationVectors for transformation include combinedoperations, experimentation, validation, SOF-specific elements, and interagency integration.There are a number of additional non-materialfactors that drive SOF transformation. Foremostamong these factors is a change in mindset. Al-though the new policy priorities for SOF describedearlier in this document provide inspiration forchange, it is important for those within and outsideof the special operations community to understandthat the United States will be at war for theforeseeable future. In this long and costly war, SOFwill play an instrumental role. This fact shouldcolor every facet of special operations planning.Not only must SOF be prepared to support sensi-tive high-risk operations at any time; SpecialOperations leaders should plan now for the lossesthat inevitably will occur.

To meet the requirements of the future, SOF willrely upon quality personnel. Given the complexityand sensitivity of tomorrow’s special operations,

SOF will need to apply innovative approaches toattract and retain those distinctive personnel whocan become the capable and efficient SOF Warrior.

Although people will always remain a more impor-tant component of SOF capability than hardware,future SOF will leverage maturing technologiesmore effectively than any other force today.Technology improvements will allow commandersto track and communicate discretely with SOFanywhere in the field. Improvements in unmannedvehicle technology will provide better: precisionfire, force protection, personnel recovery, andlogistics support. SOF will also need to developnew competencies and enhance existing ones insupport of critical national requirements, includingthe ability to locate, tag, and track mobile targetsand support strategic influence operations.

Most importantly, the improvement of SOFtraining, education, and experience contributes tothe development of SOF capability. Doctrine,organization, and materiel factors have additivevalue to the force — leadership and personnelfactors, however, exponentially multiply invest-

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ments in doctrine, organization, and materiel. Astraining, education, and experience influence thequality and effectiveness of leadership, they alsohave the greatest long-term effect on SOF capabil-ity. Indeed, SOF operational, training, and educa-tion experiences set SOF personnel apart fromtheir conventional counterparts. In order tomaintain strategic flexibility and maximize thelikelihood of operational success, SOF will increasetheir commitment to “training for certainty,educating for uncertainty”.

SOF VisionThe United States Special Operations Command’s(USSOCOM) vision is to develop “the mostcapable special operations force, relevant to theneeds of our nation ...any time ...any place ...anyadversary.” Whether combating terrorism orhelping rebuild a government, SOF must be readyany time, to go any place, to quickly and success-fully accomplish the assigned mission. Relevancymeans SOF personnel are highly skilled withcapabilities matched against whatever the nationneeds them to do across the spectrum of peace andwar. Leadership must constantly anticipate andevaluate the future to determine the capabilitiesSOF must possess to keep pace with the ever-changing needs of our nation. The Commandmust constantly strive to keep the “special” inspecial operations. Areas of operation change;mission priorities change; SOF endures!

Any future special operations force will be:

� Sized, trained, and equipped to engage in anythreat environment against any adversary

� Culturally, linguistically, politically, and region-ally focused

� Rapidly deployable

� Capable of conducting exceptionally-precisediscriminate strikes against specific targets

� Able to achieve operational and tactical superi-ority through surprise, speed, violence of action,and through the ability to facilitate the preciseapplication of massive conventional firepower

� Flexible, tactically, operationally, and strategi-cally agile joint forces that can develop andexecute unconventional, audacious, and highpay-off courses of action

Given these basic parameters, it is clear that SOFof the future will be called upon to employ unor-thodox approaches, at any time, in any place,against any adversary, toward the end of achievinglasting strategic effects that are beneficial to theUnited States.

The SOF WarriorThe central, defining quality of SOF has alwaysbeen the distinctive personnel – the SOF Warrior.It is through the warrior that the SOF Truths arerealized. Through the character traits of selfless-ness, tenacity, patriotism, and striving for excel-lence, the SOF Warrior provides this nation andits leaders with the means to accomplish strategicmissions effectively and efficiently. The competentand capable SOF Warrior provides the means toimplement and realize the attributes of SOF andensures relevance in the future. Highly specializedskill sets are required, including mastery of technol-ogy (spanning the spectrum from no-tech to high-tech), cultural and regional awareness and exper-tise. To accomplish this level of proficiency andguarantee SOF and ensure relevance in the future,attention must be placed on all four phases in thelife of a SOF Warrior.

Recruitment. A rigorous program designed toacquire SOF Warrior candidates who possess therequired personal traits proven to enable success infuture SOF role and mission areas. SOF recruit-ment objectives must include exposing the largestpossible audience to the SOF career option.

Accession. A demanding selection program orseries of programs designed to test potential candi-dates. Candidates experience physical, mental, andemotional evaluation geared to ensure their abilityto perform the tasks, roles, and functions required

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by combat and combat support specialities. Onlythose who satisfactorily complete the programbecome SOF Warriors.

Development. SOF personnel are developedthrough professional training and educationprograms designed to enhance the SOF Warrior’snatural abilities and performance while producingmature and competent professionals. Developmentincludes education and training within SOF as wellas appropriate civilian and interagency externaltraining that result in enhanced situational aware-ness and superior decision-making abilities. Devel-opment is continuous and focused on the requiredskill sets for the duty position. Development ofSOF personnel is designed to increase toleranceand endurance, as well as enhance performance,sustainment and alertness. When coupled withexperience gained in duty assignments, the SOFWarrior achieves a high level of maturity andproficiency. Through this process the SOF Warriorevolves to embody the SOF Core Values.

Retention. SOF Warriors progress in their careersbased on their professional and personal develop-ment as well as their experiences. All levels of ex-perience are valuable and effort is placed on re-taining the services of the individual through anactive duty career and beyond.

SOF AttributesSeven attributes describe what SOF will need todevelop, preserve or enhance in order to fulfill theSOF vision and mission of the future. Althoughthese attributes are not necessarily unique to SOF,but as a set they describe a competent and profes-sional force accomplishing assigned missions andresponsibilities in an effective and efficient man-ner. Everything the force is and does revolvesaround the SOF Warrior. The graphic on page 69shows the Warrior, built on the SOF Truths, theCore Values and utilizing Distinctive Personnel, atthe center of a globe. The attributes are displayedsurrounding the globe.

Precision Strike and Effects. SOF are able toperform precision strikes and achieve scaleablelethal or non-lethal effects by rapidly characteriz-ing and tracking targets and exploiting organic,national and international systems and networks,as well as employing any other means or methodsavailable. SOF achieve this capability through theutilization of human and material assets designedto perform precision reconnaissance and surveil-lance and the use of a wide variety of weapons andmethods including advanced technologies. In thepopular press, the term “precision strike” hasbecome synonymous with the employment ofguided munitions such as Tomahawk cruise mis-siles. While the employment of those weapons iscertainly precise, it is in reality a restrictive subsetof what is meant by the term. Precision interven-tions are not limited to physically or destructivelyattacking targets, but also include unconventionalmethods to achieve effects, acquire informationand intelligence, and influence enemy capabilities.

Tailored and Integrated Operations. SOF unitsand individuals must adapt quickly to changingmission requirements, objectives and operatingenvironments. They can rapidly and effectivelycombine competencies and modify organizations toaccomplish a variety of missions with autonomy.SOF transform and reshape organizational designand force structure to ensure effective collaborationin joint, interagency, and combined operationalenvironments, to include work with indigenousforces, non-governmental and internationalorganizations and local civilian entities. SOFoperate as an enabling force, across the spectrumbetween war and peace and synchronize activitiesbetween military and non-military participants.Reserve Component forces are ready, quicklyaccessible and integrated into SOF missions asappropriate. SOF elements exercise flexibility atthe strategic, operational and tactical levels, as wellas agility in terms of operational time and spaceconsiderations, the types of missions, and themethod of accomplishment. SOF forces areresponsive – physically and mentally capable ofquickly adapting to changing mission requirementsacross the spectrum of conflict. SOF exercise

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innovative execution, including the creativeapplication of tactics, techniques and procedures,and are capable of performing a variety of missionsin challenging and austere environments. SOFadapts readily to a broad and constantly varyingrange of tasks and conditions. This organizationalagility allows SOF to quickly concentrate synergis-tic effects from widely dispersed locations and toassist Joint Force Commanders in achievingdecisive results without the need for time-consum-ing and risky massing of people and equipment.Even under the most austere conditions, SOF canconduct multi-dimensional operations to: penetratedenied or sensitive areas and resolve terroristactivity; preempt the threat posed by weapons ofmass destruction; or strike key targets with preci-sion and discrimination.

Ubiquitous Access. SOF have access to and canpotentially influence events or conduct overt orclandestine operations on demand. SOF conductoperations in all environments; land, air, sea,subsurface, space, and in areas denied to conven-tional forces because of political or threat condi-tions. Access includes an appropriate forwardpresence, as well as the ability to mobilize andproject quickly from CONUS or OCONUS basing.SOF maintain a global engagement, molding theinternational environment rather than respondingto it, allowing a quick transition to contingencyresponse or war. SOF possess or have access to thelatest in emerging and leap-ahead mobility assets toenter, operate in, and be exfiltrated from thedesignated area of operations overtly or clandes-tinely. SOF achieve the best mix of global accesscapabilities by capitalizing on existing technolo-gies, incorporating selective improvements basedon leap-ahead changes, and ensuring conventionalmilitary platforms are designed to incorporate SOFrequirements.

Regional Expertise, Presence and Influence. SOFconduct and influence operations anywhere, withminimal restrictions, through an extensive personalunderstanding and a network of relationshipsthroughout the region. SOF are regionally focused,possessing extensive linguistic skills and cultural

understanding. The SOF Warrior is also a diplo-mat, and as such utilizes recurring deployments toincrease language skills, cultural awareness, and tobuild the military and political contacts thatcontribute to future operations and activities.Healthy working relationships are maintained withpotential joint, interagency, coalition and non-state partners. The effective presence and embed-ded interagency integration produced by theserelationships provides SOF a footing from which toinfluence events. Through recurring interactionwith current and potential coalition partners, SOFare able to favorably influence situations towardU.S. national interests. SOF presence and influ-ence serve multiple roles in peacetime and before,during, and after conflict. SOF forward presenceand regional expertise allow for “first response”abilities when required and, permit a full range ofunconventional military options against a targetedentity. SOF are immediately ready upon arrival tooccupy and influence the area of operations asprescribed by the mission and possess the flexibilityto be tailored to task.

C4ISR Dominance. Dominance in the realm ofCommand and Control, Communications, Com-puters, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnais-sance (C4ISR) is vital to the success of SOFoperations. Exploiting superiority in this areaallows the SOF Warrior to access, develop andoperate effectively in any situation, taking decisiveaction that shapes the desired results withouteffective opposition. Achieving dominancerequires emphasis in each of the following focusareas:

Collection. Employing advanced organic sensorsystems and effectively leveraging national-or-theater-level assests gives the SOF Warrior the bestpossible picture of the operating environment.Electronic and non-electronic collection effortsserve to continuously update the SOF Warrior’ssituational awareness through reliable sources.C4ISR systems and networks provide access totopically relevant and timely information aboutfriendly and hostile forces, neutral elements andthe area of operations.

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Decision Support. Information collected from allsources is processed and fused into working knowl-edge that can be tailored to fit the needs of opera-tors at all levels. Superior analysis products,modeling and simulation, and decision makingalgorithms all support this effort.

Communications / Data Exchange. SOF utilizesecure C4ISR and sensor systems and networks thatprovide seamless integrated and unhinderedinformation exchange. Additionally, SOF person-nel share data in all environments (e.g., with real-time imagery, simultaneous full spectral, secure,wireless, and undetectable lightweight, miniatur-ized global and space-based systems through aworld-wide information transport and processinggrid). SOF systems and networks provide completeintegration and compatibility with joint,interagencey, national, and as the situation re-quires, international systems and networks.

Disruption and Denial. SOF can reduce andselectively deny an adversary’s ability to useinformation and information systems with capabili-ties ranging from passive defense, to psychologicaloperations, to precision strike against key informa-tional nodes. The SOF Warrior can create frictionin the enemy, sow confusion, contribute to relativeknowledge superiority of SOF elements, and isolateand degrade the enemy’s capabilities.

Agile and Unconventional Logistics. SOF areprovided with logistical support necessary toconduct operations or employ conventional orunconventional means to acquire their ownlogistical support. Logistics are focused so as toobtain and provide exactly what is required in aneffective and efficient manner. Flexible logisticsensure rapid and uninterrupted acquisition anddelivery regardless of changes in the mission,operation, or environment, with accountability,but without the bureaucratic restrictions of con-ventional forces. SOF are as self-sufficient aspossible, but are rapidly and effectively providedwith replenishment of materials, utilizing bothservice-common and SOF-unique supplies andmaterials as the situation requires. Superiortechnology and advanced equipment are utilized to

ensure logistical support is consistently provided todeployed SOF elements. A seamless, near real-time network is utilized to rapidly procure andtailor agile and responsive materials and logisticsforces to support full spectrum operations andreduce the logistic footprint to SOF units.

Force Protection and Survivability. SOF person-nel enhance physical survivability through educa-tion, training and experience. SOF elementsemploy stealth, speed, and counter-measures toensure survivability. Anti-access measures aredefeated to retain freedom of mobility and maneu-ver. SOF personnel employ signature managementmeasures and technology, equipment (includingweapons), electronic and C2 systems and networksthat possess features that ensure survivabilityregardless of the operating environment andconditions. To the maximum extent possible, SOFpersonnel are protected from the effects of enemyoffensive systems and extreme environmentalconditions. SOF personnel are also protected fromthreats of airborne, surface, and space assets by avariety of methods, including advancedtechnologies.

USSOCOM’sTransformation RoadmapUSSOCOM’s Transformation Roadmap providesthe command and its components a framework fordeveloping the capacity for full-spectrum, globalengagement. Achieving this goal is not an end-state, but a process that continually adapts toexploit new technologies or meet new challenges.

Currently Capstone Concepts and portions of theRequirements Generation Process, Joint Require-ments Oversight Council, Joint War- fightingCapability Assessment process, and acquisitiontechnology initiatives focus the methods or waysthe Command can achieve transformational goalsand capabilities. Strong advocacy of Serviceprograms and joint concepts that support SOFtransformation are constant elements ofUSSOCOM’s transformation strategy. The estab-

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lished joint processes are the path to attaining theSOF Attributes, Capability-Based Program Lists,and Unresourced Priority Lists used to build theProgram Objective Memorandum.

Technology Development. USSOCOM’s technol-ogy development programs are separate and inde-pendent from specific acquisition programs de-scribed elsewhere. They bridge the gaps that existbetween specific SOF requirements, newwarfighting systems, and emerging technologies.New capabilities can be developed in a variety ofways: rapid acquisition programs; normal acquisi-tion programs; insertion into existing systemupgrades; or in conjunction with PreplannedProduct Improvements. Leveraging commercialand/or Service technologies plays an important rolein the pursuit of USSOCOM operational require-ments. The scope of total R&D funding forpartnering and leveraged projects greatly exceedsthe funding in the Special Operations AdvancedTechnology Development , Special OperationsAdvanced Special Technology and National

System Support to SOF programs. The five majorprogram categories are Special Operations Tech-nology Development, Special Operations SpecialTechnology (SOTO), SOF Medical TechnologyDevelopment, Small Business Innovation Researchand National System Support to SOF. The SOTOsenhance and guide USSOCOM’s Science andTechnology investment, but they are not intendedto prioritize technology areas. The primary valueof SOTOs is that they allow USSOCOM tobenefit from technology advancements earlierin the acquisition process than would happennormally. In addition, SOTOs provide the DODR&D communities, academia, industry, andallies with a USSOCOM perspective on emergingtechnologies.

The SOTOs act as the foundation for develop-ing technological “thrust areas.” Thrust areasoffer USSOCOM the greatest opportunity forfuture payoff that also address significanttechnological gaps within the special operationsenvironment. The nine thrust areas, in no

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particular order of priority, are Signature Reduc-tion; High Bandwidth/Reachback Communica-tions; Underwater Communications; UnmannedSystems; Batteries/Fuel Cells; Remote Sensing;Advanced Training Systems; Bioengineering;and Directed Energy Weapons.

USSOCOM also leverages technologies dev-eloped by the Services under the AdvancedConcept Technology Demonstration (ACTD)program to address SOF shortfalls. The DODACTD program expedites the transition ofmaturing technologies from developer to user,thereby assisting the DOD acquisition processin adapting to today’s economic and threatenvironments. This process emphasizes tech-nology assessment and integration rather thantechnology development. The goal is to providea prototype capability to the warfighter and tosupport him in the evaluation of that capability.ACTDs provide the SOF community an avenueto develop and refine concepts of operations tofully exploit the capability under evaluation,develop interoperability with joint structures,to evolve operational requirements and makeassessments of the military utility of proposedcapabilities before investing MFP-11 funds.

Transforming to 2020USSOCOM has been, is and will continue to be acatalytic agent that influences the transformationof conventional force, as well as SOF capabilities.SOF capabilities will continue to improve, but thefundamental character of SOF, its values and truthswill not change over the next quarter century.While SOF missions remain constant, the contextof how and the manner in which they are executedmay change significantly. Transformation acrossthe entire DOD (Services and Defense Agencies)augurs an increasing integration of current conven-tional and special operational capabilities. Thisrealization demands SOF to remain flexible anddynamic and to inculcate innovation as a core

competency. USSOCOM will meet its legislatedauthorities and lead the DOD in its transformationeffort, working closely with Joint Forces Commandand all other DOD components.

Managing the Risks Associatedwith TransformationManaging risk has always been an importantcomponent of military planning. In the past, theU.S. Special Operations Command has focusedprimarily on managing operational risk. TheDefense Planning Guidance for 2003-2007 estab-lished the requirement to manage risk in fourdimensions. These dimensions, clarified and givenadditional detail in the 2001 quadrennial defensereview, were identified as operational; force man-agement; institutional; and, future challenges risk.Each dimension is defined below and followed byan outline of the associated SOF-specific issues.

Operational RiskOperational risk refers to the uncertainty of aforce’s ability to achieve military objectives inconflict or other contingency. Like the Services,SOF have sought to mitigate operational risk bymaximizing current readiness. SOF will requiresignificant capability, capacity and speed of re-sponse enhancements to meet the all of thepriorities outlined in this report. SOF will haveto weigh an increased operational risk in someareas against the potential future payoff of dev-eloping new programs.

Key Issues Associated with Operational Risk

� Sizing the force to conduct effectivepreemptive operations

� Optimizing basing to support strategicobjectives

� Improving SOF strike and mobilitycapabilities

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Force Management RiskForce management risk refers to the uncertaintyin the ability to recruit, train and retain qualitypersonnel in sufficient numbers to sustain theforce as currently equipped while accomplishingits operational tasks. In many respects, forcemanagement issues are the most critical problemsfacing SOF. The special operations communitymust retain its personnel to gain a significantreturn on the investments that it makes inassessing, selecting, training, educating andretaining quality personnel.

Key Issues Associated with Force ManagementRisk

� Retention of mid-grade and senior-gradepersonnel

� Growing the force to meet currentrequirements

� Growing the force to meet new operationalrequirements

Institutional RiskInstitutional risk refers to the uncertainty in themanagement practices and controls that promoteefficient use of resources and effective operationof the Defense establishment. SOF because oftheir joint nature, suffer from the collectiveinefficiencies of the Military Departments, suchas legacy approaches for dealing with resource,manpower, and base operations support issues.

Key Issues Associated with Institutional Risk

� Achieving equitable support from theMilitary Departments

� Improving logistical and communicationssupport for Theater Special OperationsCommands

� Aligning Regional Employment withNational Strategy

Future Challenges RiskUncertainty about the causes and locations ofregional conflicts in which SOF will be asked tooperate poses interesting mid- to long-term militarychallenges. Dealing with future challenges maybe overcome by using fundamentally differentapproaches, tactics, techniques and proceduresthan those used by today’s forces.

Key Issues Associated with Future Challenges Risk

� Improving strategic influence capabilities tosupport global operations

� Building a linguistically, culturally andethnically diverse force

� Improving capabilities to operate for extendedperiods in anti-access environments

� Providing force protection in adverseenvironments

� Improving ground-directed fire support

� Improving capabilities to operate in urbanenvironments

Managing OpportunitiesGiven the challenges facing SOF, risk managementin all of its forms will be critical to maintaininga force that can meet the needs of tomorrow.Another critical goal will be to manage oppor-tunities. The United States does not have theresources to operate everywhere—our militarydoes not have the wherewithal to perform multiplelarge-scale operations all over the world. For thisreason, SOF must take advantage of opportunitiesas they arise to conduct preventative operationsin areas where our interests are at stake and workclosely with indigenous forces in locations allover the world.

Through this process, SOF can be well positionedto take advantage of fleeting opportunities topursue critical U.S. objectives.

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Transformational MeansUSSOCOM has identified means in the material,organization, and doctrine categories that willspark transformation within SOF, that include:

� CV-22 Osprey

� Advanced SEAL Delivery System

� SOF Information Enterprise

� MX aircraft

� Pathfinder (ACTD)

� PSYOP(ACTD)

� Naval Special Warfare 21

� Army Special Operations Aviation 21

� Improving theater SOC capability

A Path to the FutureIn the future, SOF should be ready to deal equallywith the demands of both peacetime andwarfighting roles. SOF should be deliberate in itstransformation to ensure that it continues tosupport critical national requirements. Given therange of requirements, it is important for SOF tochoose an evolutionary path that is supportive of,but not confined by, the future plans of conven-tional forces. In other words, SOF should possesscapabilities that expand the range of optionsavailable to policy makers. Future missions mightinclude operations for psychological effect, low-visibility strike operations, advanced unconven-tional warfare, special forms of reconnaissance,human and technical collection operations andstrategic influence operations. Above all else,because the future is uncertain, SOF will pursuenew combinations of concepts, capabilities, people,and organizations to create a force capable of

conducting full spectrum engagement in a jointenvironment, anytime, anywhere, against anyadversary. SOF will lead the DOD transformation,employing tailored Joint Special Operations TaskForces as the vehicle with which experimentationand innovative task organization will provide adynamic laboratory. SOF will achieve relativelylow cost, high value force application as themilitary and informational elements of nationalpower integrate with political and economicelements to increase national security in a globalcontext throughout the 21st Century.

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USSOCOM’s unique responsibilities includeproviding SOF with specialized equipment toperform their worldwide missions. As a result,the Commander, USSOCOM is the only unifiedcommander charged by law with acquisitionresponsibilities similar to those of the servicesto develop, acquire, and field equipment. Toaccomplish this, USSOCOM has its own

SOF PROGRAMS & SYSTEMSspecial operations acquisition executive, withresponsibilities and authorities equal to serviceacquisition executives, and a Special OperationsAcquisition Center that supports USSOCOMprogram management and oversight of MFP-11acquisition funding. The following pageshighlight some of the key SOF programsand systems.

CV-22 Osprey

MissionPerform long-range, night and all-weather infiltra-tion, exfiltration, and resupply missions; medicalevacuation, and selected rescue and recoverymissions.

AC-130H/U Spectre Gunship

MissionThe AC-130 mission is to acquire and identifytargets predominately at night, coordinate withground forces and command and control agencies,and deliver surgical firepower in support of bothconventional and special operations missions.The gunship is best suited for the close air supportmission and has a unique capability to deliverordnance in extremely close proximity to friendlyforces in a troops-in-contact situation. Gunshipscan also perform interdiction and armed recon-naissance missions, particularly where limitedcollateral damage is required.

AIR MOBILITY

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Combat Talons can airland and airdrop personneland equipment on austere, marked and unmarkedlanding zones/drop zones, day or night. CombatTalon missions may require overt, clandestine, orlow visibility operations.

search and rescue and maintains most ofits rescue capability. High-intensity parachuteflares, various smoke-producing pyrotechnics,and sea dye are still carried aboard this aircraftfor helicopter overwater escort and rescue.

MC-130E/H Combat Talon

MissionThe Combat Talon I and Combat Talon IIsupport activities from crisis response to wartimecommitment in special operations missions. TheCombat Talon mission is to provide global, day,night, and adverse weather capability to airdropand airland personnel and equipment in supportof U.S. and allied SOF. The Combat Talon con-ducts infiltration, exfiltration, resupply (usingairland and/or airdrop), psychological operations,air refueling of SOF helicopters and aerial recon-naissance in hostile or denied territory. TheCombat Talon missions may be accomplishedeither singleship or in concert with other specialoperations assets in varying multi-aircraft scenarios.

MC-130P Combat Shadow

MissionThe mission of the Combat Shadow is clandes-tine formation/single-ship intrusion of hostileterritory to provide air refueling to special oper-ations helicopters and infiltration, exfiltration,and resupply of SOF by airdrop or airland opera-tions. Utilizing night visions goggles the crew ofthe Combat Shadow primarily flies missions atnight to reduce probability of visual acquisitionand intercept by airborne threats. Secondarymission capabilities may include airdrop of smallspecial operations teams, small bundles, andcombat rubber raiding craft; as well as NVGtakeoff and landing procedures, tactical airborneradar approaches, and in-flight refueling as areceiver. The MC-130P can be employed ina low to medium threat environment. Theaircraft was originally modified for combat

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EC-130E Commando Solo

MissionCommando Solo conducts psychologicaloperations missions in the standardAM, FM, HF, TV and military communicationsbands. Missions are flown at maximum altitudespossible to ensure optimum propagation patterns.This system may also be used to support disasterassistance efforts by broadcasting public informa-tion and instruction for evacuation operations.

MH-53M Pave Low

MissionConduct clandestine infiltrations, exfiltrations,resupply, airdrop, and heavy-lift sling operationsover a wide range of environmental conditions.The aircraft can perform a variety of other mis-sions, including shipboard operations, radarvectoring, and search and rescue. The Pave Lowcan be employed in low to medium threatenvironments.

MH-60K

MissionConduct overt or covert infiltration, exfiltra-tion, and resupply of SOF over a wide range ofenvironmental conditions. The MH-60K iscapable of operating from fixed base facilities,remote sites, or oceangoing vessels.

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MH-60L

MissionConduct infiltration, exfiltration, and resupplyof SOF across a wide range of environmentalconditions. Additionally, the MH-60L/DAPhas the primary mission of escort. Secondary mis-sions of the MH-60L include C2, external load,CSAR, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC)operations. The MH-60L can operate from fixed-base facilities, remote sites, or oceangoing vessels.

MH-47D/E

MissionConduct infiltration, exfiltration, air assault,resupply, and external-sling operations under awide range of environmental conditions. Theaircraft can perform a variety of other missions,including shipboard, platform, urban, water, FARP,mass casualty, and CSAR operations.

AH/MH-6M Mission EnhancementLittle Bird

MissionConduct and support short-range, infiltration/exfiltration, resupply operations in hostile areas,and selected rescue and recovery missions.Includes shipboard, platform, over water andurban operations.

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Advanced SEAL DeliverySystem (ASDS)

MissionProvides undersea mobility for SOF personneland their mission support equipment.

Patrol Boat Light – Counter Drug(PBL–CD)

MissionThe Patrol Boat Light (PBL) is a maritimeplatform used for training host nation forcesin riverine environments.

Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB)

MissionPerform short-range infiltration and extractionof SOF and limited coastal patrol and interdictionin “low to medium” threat environments. NavalSpecial Warfare RIB detachments are alsodeployed on USN amphibious ships.

Mark V Special Operations Craft

MissionPerform medium-range, adverse-weatherinfiltration and exfiltration of SOF andlimited coastal patrol and interdiction inlow to medium threat environments.

MARITIME MOBILITY

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Special Operations CraftRiverine (SOCR)

MissionProvide short-range insertion and extractionof SOF personnel in a riverine environment.

Swimmer Transport DeviceSpecial Operations Craft

MissionProvide SOF combat swimmers and their missionessential equipment an intermediate transportcapability when operating from an insertion/extraction platform to and from target areasat ranges of up to five nautical miles.

GROUND MOBILITY

Internally Transportable Vehicle

MissionProvide a highly mobile, rugged platform tosupport the five core tasks (special reconnaissance,direct action, unconventional warfare, foreigninternal defense, counterterrorism) and othersecondary missions.

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LEP BALCS MICH

Ground Mobility Vehicles (GMV)

MissionThe GMV program modifies the Army providedHMMWV to meet SOF peculiar mobility platformrequirements. The GMV gives SOF superior cross-country maneuverability, the capability to travelunassisted over long distances and supports directaction, special reconnaissance, airfield seizure.unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense,and liaison missions.

SOLDIER SYSTEMS

WEAPONS

Requirements (SPEAR)

SOF Personal Equipment AdvancedRequirements (SPEAR)

MissionProvide SOF operators with state of the artequipment that improves operator survivability,mobility, lethality, and endurance. SPEAR acquiresindividual operator equipment in nine functionalareas including: lightweight environmentalprotective (LEP) clothing, body armor/load

carriage system (BALCS), and modular integratedcommunications helmet (MICH).

SOF Machineguns (SMG)

MissionProvide the SOF operator with reliable,belt fed, man portable systems capable ofaddressing area targets using existing 5.56and 7.62mm ammunition.

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technology that ensures 24-hour, all-weather, all-condition capabilities through the pursuit ofthermal devices.

improved weapons performance, target acquisition,signature suppression, and fire control in close-quarters battle and out to ranges of 800 meters,both day and night.

Special Operations PeculiarModifications to the M4 Carbine

MissionAllow SOF operators to configure the M4A1carbine and M203 Grenade Launcher, basedon mission-specific requirements. Kit itemsincrease weapons effectiveness through

DEMOLITIONS

SOF Demolition Kit

MissionProvides the capabilities to custom build, attach,and waterproof, demolition charges based onspecific targets and operational scenarios.

Night Vision Devices (NVD)

MissionNVD is a joint funding line that provides forthe modernization of USSOCOM’s inventory ofvisual augmentation systems. Approved byUSSOCOM in 1996 the funding line now hasa detailed modernization roadmap and approvedcapstone requirements document. These docu-ments and proper funding will allow USSOCOMto break its dependence on image intensificationdevices and stay ahead of threat capabilitiesthrough the procurement of state-of-the-art

NIGHT VISION / ELECTRO-OPTICS

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INTELLIGENCE & INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Joint Threat Warning System (JTWS)Threat Warning/SituationalAwareness System

MissionProvide threat warning and situational awarenesscapabilities to SOF utilizing common componentsand multiple variants to meet air, ground, andmaritime mission needs.

PRIVATEER Threat Warning/Situational Awareness System

MissionProvide threat warning and situational awarenessaboard NAVSPECWARCOM Mark V SpecialOperations Craft.

SENTINEL Threat Warning/Situational Awareness System

MissionProvide threat warning and situational awarenessaboard AFSOC fixed-wing aircraft.

Integrated Survey Program (ISP)Mission Familiarization VirtualReality (MFVR)

MissionSupports JCS contingency planning requirementsby conducting surveys on OCONUS facilitieswhere U.S. interests may be at risk.

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Special Operations TacticalVideo System (SOTVS)

MissionExecute special reconnaissance missions by SOFin support of national and Geographic CombatantCommander war-fighting requirements.

Special Mission Radio System(SMRS)

MissionProvide reliable, secure, high frequency (HF) C2

communications via voice and data over varyingdistances. Supports strategic recon and generalpurpose HF missions; required for both manpackand vehicular operations.

Tactical Radio System (TRS)

MissionProvides a base station for NSW combatant craftsto conduct intra-craft and external C2 communica-tions to other SOF base stations, tactical aircraft,and various SOF, conventional forces, and alliedplatforms.

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Multi Band Inter/Intra TeamRadio (MBITR)

MissionProvide reliable, voice and data communicationson a user-selected frequency using a handheldradio.

Multi-Band, Multi-MissionRadio

MissionProvide reliable voice and data communicationacross the VHF and UHF bands with a singlemanpack radio.

Joint Base Station

MissionProvide a deployed SOF commander the abilityto establish and maintain mobile- and fixed-combat, contingency, training and administra-tive communications from any level within atheater of operations.

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Telecommunications System Mission/SOF Deployable Node (SDN)

MissionUSSOCOM’s primary command and controlnetwork. Provides secure voice, data, and VTCto world-wide deployed and strategic SOF loca-tions. SDN is the follow-on system to SCAMPIand provides improved modularity, scalability,and reliability at reduced nodal size and weight.Desgined to provide STEP/Teleport inter-operability.

Psychological OperationsBroadcast System

MissionProvide strategic, wide-area, multi-media radioand television production, distribution, anddissemination capability in support of Geo-graphic Combatant Commander.

Special Operations Forces TacticalAssured Communications System(SOFTACS)—Deployable Multi-Channel SATCOM (DMCS)

MissionProvides SOF component forces with a lightweight,easily transportable, rapidly deployable tri-bandSHF satellite communications terminal, flexible forutilization in peacetime and all threat environ-ments across the entire spectrum of conflict.

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Special Operations MediaSystem B

MissionProvide enhanced tactical television and radiocapabilities to produce, broadcast, record, andtransmit programming material in support ofPSYOP and CA missions.

Family of Loudspeakers

MissionProvide a high quality loudspeaker broadcastsystem to target areas in support of SOF andconventional forces when deployed by mobilePSYOP forces.

Leaflet Delivery System

MissionProvide accurate and reliable disseminationof large quantities of PSYOP material across thespectrum of war and during peacetime, in deniedareas, at short- and long- standoff ranges.

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Miniature Multiband Beacon

MissionProvide a dual-band portable radar transponderbeacon that can be hand emplaced.

C4I Automation Systems

MissionProvides a wide range of services from C4Isurveillance and reconnaissance capabilitiesto office automation tools. Provides the conduitfor various systems such as the Global Commandand Control System to connect the SOF war-fighter to the global infosphere.

Joint Deployable IntelligenceSupport System–Special OperationsCommand Research, Analysis andThreat Evaluation System(JDISS-SOCRATES)

MissionProvide access to both national and speciallyfocused intelligence products using a wide-area,network-based, multi-functional intelligencesystem for USSOCOM headquarters, itscomponent commands, and operatingforces worldwide.

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Tactical Local Area Network(TACLAN)

MissionTACLAN provides automation connectivitywith flexible interfaces to communications,databases, and mission applications that willcollectively provide an equivalent of the garrisonbased architecture to deployed units remoteoperators. TACLAN includes servers, routers,hubs, and notebook computers (workstations),and field computing devices (FCDs) required toset up one (1) unclassified network (NIPR),one (1) classified network (SIPR) and one(1) SCI network. Provides the data networkinfrastructure for the SOF Digital Environment(SDE).

Special Operations MissionPlanning Environment (SOMPE)(formerly SOF Planning andRehearsal System–SOFPARS)

MissionProvide for the consolidation of all operationaland tactical mission-planning requirementsacross the command. SOMPE will be a familyof integrated software products and tools provid-ing interoperable and tailorable support for specialoperations components, commands, units, teams,and aircrews. SOMPE will automate the manyaspects of the mission planning and serves as avital piece of the SOF Digital Environment(SDE).

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Special Operations ForcesSupport Activity

MissionProvide Joint SOF with a dedicated logisticssupport capability world-wide.

� The “cornerstone” for executing USSOCOM’sSO-peculiar logistics responsibilities to jointSOF world-wide

� The Center of Excellence for designated logisticscommodities in the areas of SOF support

MISSION SUPPORT

Joint Operational Stocks

MissionThe Joint Operational Stocks programprovides joint SOF with resource con-strained mission-critical, mission-essential,and mission-enhancing equipment in orderto provide responsive support to worldwidecontingency and training missions.

SOF Sustainment, Asset Visibility,and Information Exchange

MissionThe SOF Sustainment, Asset Visibility, andInformation Exchange provides on-lineresponsive logistics materiel support to maximizereadiness and sustainability for SOF worldwide.

Munitions Management

MissionProvide world class munitions replenishmentsupport of Navy, Air Force and Army SOFpeacetime, war reserve, and training ammunitionas required to sustain SOF readiness worldwide.

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RESOURCE OVERVIEW

BackgroundThe Nunn-Cohen Amendment to the legislationthat created USSOCOM gave its commanderdirect control over many of the fiscal resourcesnecessary to pay, train, equip, and deploy SOFthrough the establishment of a separate majorforce program (MFP), MFP-11. This control ofSOF fiscal resources provides several significantbenefits. First, SOF funding choices may nowbe assessed on their merits and not submergedor ignored within the military departments’much larger programs. Second, a separate MFPfor SOF provides an easy SOF program trackingtool for the Department of Defense (DOD) anda Congress concerned with ensuring appropriateSOF resourcing. Third, informed SOF resourcingdecisions are based on analyses of comprehen-sive, joint SOF data that balance the competingrequirements for all SOF. This facilitates thedevelopment of and ensures a focus on effectiveJoint SOF capability for Combatant Command-ers, which was nearly impossible when SOFcapability was the product of separate disjoint-ed military department efforts.

A Powerful InvestmentThe Department of Defense has begun a significant“retooling” of USSOCOM to enable the Com-mand to lead the war effort in an even moreeffective manner. Congress will see that re-engineering effort manifested in the President’sFiscal Year 2004 Budget Request. Perhaps the mostprofound change is a shift in expectation by theDepartment that USSOCOM will no longer serveas primarily a supporting command, but rather willplan and execute certain key missions as a sup-ported command. In the President’s Budget forFiscal Year 2004, an increase of about 47 percent

SOF BUDGET & MANPOWER

has been proposed for USSOCOM, totalingapproximately $4.5 billion. This increase includesan additional $391 million for operations andrelated expenses, and about $1.1 billion in procure-ment of critical equipment. These increasesfacilitate the addition of 2,563 personnel in criticalmission areas. Military personnel costs which areincluded in the budgets of the Military Depart-ments total another $1.2 billion.

SOF resources constitute only 1.8 percent of theoverall defense budget and some 49,000 personnel.Yet these limited SOF resources greatly enhancethe effectiveness of conventional military forces byproviding essential leveraging capabilities all thewhile ensuring that “must succeed” special opera-tions are completed with the absolute certaintyand professionalism the nation demands. Nowhere has the benefit of this powerful investmentbeen clearer than during operations in Afghani-stan, Iraq, and elsewhere in the Global War onTerrorism, however, SOF has been remarkablyeffective no matter what the nature of the conflict.

A Disciplined Fiscal ProcessThe USSOCOM Strategic Planning Process drivesdecision making related to resourcing, acquisition,sustainment, and modernization. It is a continuousprocess with a biennial cycle that facilitates theshaping of the strategic direction of SOF.

The USSOCOM Strategic Planning Processhas four phases: guidance development, capabilityassessment, program assessment, and integration/resourcing. These phases contain activities relatedto the creation of guidance, the assessment of capa-bilities, and the prioritization of an integratedcapabilities list to guide the Program ObjectiveMemorandum (POM) development. USSOCOMservice component staff, Theater Special Opera-

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tions Command, and Office of Assistant Secretaryof Defense Special Operations/Low Intensity Con-flict participation is significant during all phasesof the process. They serve as members of an inte-grated concept team and provide subject matterexpert inputs prior to the completion of each phaseof the process. Additionally, component com-manders participate throughout the process, asmembers of the USSOCOM Board of Directors,which is co-chaired by the USSOCOMCommander and the ASD SO/LIC.

The starting point for the biennial cycle may bedriven by actual or forecasted changes in theplanning environment or by DOD or USSOCOMdirective. The cycle ends with the approval of thenext POM that includes the approved resourceconstrained listing of capability-based programs.The POM serves as the basis for the SOF biennialbudget development and the annual President’sbudget submission.

Military DepartmentSupport to SOFThe military departments also have a significantrole in the resourcing of SOF. Title 10, Chapter 6,United States Code (U.S.C.), defines and appor-tions responsibilities between the military depart-ments and the combatant commands, includingUSSOCOM. Title 10, U.S.C. Section 165, chargesthe military departments with the responsibilityfor providing administration and support for forcesassigned by the respective military departments tothe combatant commands, subject to the authorityof the respective commanders.

DOD Directive 5100.1, “Functions of theDepartment of Defense and its Major Compo-nents,” requires the military departments todevelop, garrison, supply, equip, and maintainbases and other installations, including lines ofcommunications, and to provide administrativeand logistics support for all forces and bases,unless otherwise directed by the Secretary ofDefense. DOD Directive 5100.3, “Support ofthe Headquarters of Unified, Specified, and

Subordinate Joint Commands,” makes clearthis broad support responsibility and extends toUSSOCOM and its subordinate headquarters.

Additional DOD guidance further defines mili-tary department support responsibilities. MFP-11related programs funded in the appropriationsaccounts of the military departments (SOF Sup-port Programs), but not identified as MFP-11,will consist of programs that support other usersin addition to SOF. Programs in this category, suchas, base operating support, standard ammunition,and maintenance of real property, are programmed,budgeted and executed by military departmentswith input from USSOCOM.

SOF Funding ProfileThe SOF budget request for FY04 is approxi-mately $6.7 billion, including military pay andallowances. The MFP-11 budget supports theSOF primary mission—maintaining the readi-ness and sustainability of current forces to sup-port the geographic commanders , U.S. Ambassa-dors and their country teams, and other govern-ment agencies.

The following appropriation display of the FY04president’s budget for MFP-11 illustrates the SOFfunding profile. Detailed budget data are containedin following charts and paragraphs.

SOF Budget ($ in Millions)

Appropriation FY03 FY04

MILPERS* $1,970 $2,211O&M 1,615 2,006Procurement 862 1,978RDT&E 512 440MILCON 72 99

Totals $5,031 $6,734

* Funded in the MILPERS accounts of the militarydepartments

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Military Personnel (MILPERS) includes thebasic salaries for all active duty and ReserveComponent (RC) military personnel assigned toUSSOCOM, as well as the RC SOF military paynecessary for additional schools and training days.MILPERS requirements are programmed andbudgeted for by SOF and executed by the militarydepartments. SOF manpower data are displayed inTable 7-1.

Operation and Maintenance (O&M) is theheart of maintaining SOF operational readiness.O&M includes the day-to-day costs of SOF unitmission activities such as civilian pay, travel,airlift, SO-peculiar equipment, equipment main-tenance, minor construction, fuel, consumablesupplies, spares and repair parts for weapons andequipment, as well as the headquarters functionsof USSOCOM and its Service components.Additional information is contained in Table 7-2.

Procurement provides vital modernization andrecapitalization in areas such as mobility, weaponsand munitions, communications, and intelligenceequipment. Detailed information is provided inTable 7-3.

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation(RDT&E) are a significant request in eachbudget cycle, since technological advanceswill continue to provide critical advantagesfor special operations. Many of the benefitsof RDT&E efforts will also ultimately accrueto conventional forces. RDT&E funding isdiscussed in greater detail in Table 7-9.

Military Construction (MILCON) allowsUSSOCOM to provide unique facilities necessaryfor the training, housing, or deployment of SOF.

Special Operations Forces(SOF)—Budget DetailsThe FY04 budget request for SOF is approxi-mately $6.8 billion. The SOF budget requestby appropriation is shown on the previous pageand detailed in the paragraphs that follow.

ManpowerTable 7-1 depicts the manpower end strength datafor FY04.

Table 7-1Manpower End Strength

FY04

Category FY04

Active MilitaryOfficer 5,948Enlisted 25,548

Total Active 31,496

National Guard

Officer 714Enlisted 3,015

Total National Guard 3,729

ReserveOfficer 3,139Enlisted 8,108

Total Reserve 11,247

CivilianU.S. Direct Hire 3,376

Total Manpower 49,848

As the chart portrays, the SOF total end strengthfor FY04 is 49,848 with approximately one-thirdof their military personnel in Reserve Componentunits. Although the active duty force is largelyresponsible for meeting the demands of regionalcrises and conflicts and providing overseas pres-ence, USSOCOM relies on Reserve Componentunits to augment and reinforce the active force.U.S. Army Reserve SOF personnel, for example,provide a variety of essential skills, particularly inthe areas of CA operations and PSYOP. Addition-ally, approximately 3,000 civilians join SOF activeduty and reserve military personnel as partnersin defense.

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Operation and MaintenanceTable 7-2 details the FY04 funding for O&Mbudget activity (BA) areas.

Table 7-2Operation & Maintenance Budget

($ in Millions)

Budget Activity FY03 FY04

Operating Forces $1,492 $1,851Training 60 93Administrative 63 62

Total $1,615 $2,006

Operating Forces includes necessary resourcesfor SOF tactical units and organizations, includ-ing costs directly associated with unit training,deployments, and participation in contingencyoperations. Resources support civilian andmilitary manpower, SOF peculiar and supportequipment, fielding of SOF equipment, routineoperating expenses, and necessary facilities.Budget Activity 1 is divided into two activitygroups: special operations operational forcesand special operations operational support.

Training includes resources for operation andmaintenance costs directly attributable tosupporting the component special operationsschools. USSOCOM operates the John F.Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School atFort Bragg, North Carolina; the Naval SpecialWarfare Center at Coronado, California; andthe Air Force Special Operations School and JointSpecial Operations University at Hurlburt Field,Florida. The schools and centers provide mobiletraining teams to support the operational forcesas required. SOF aircrew training and training atthe Joint Readiness Training Center are directlyrelated to SOF. The SOF medical training center atFort Bragg, North Carolina provides modularizedqualification, advanced enhancement, and limitedsustainment medical training for joint SOF.

Administrative provides resources for operationand maintenance costs supporting SOF peculiaracquisition programs being developed or procured.Funding is executed by the Special OperationsAcquisition and Logistics (SOAL) Center. Fundsacquisition program management support engineer-ing and logistical support for SOF tactical acquisi-tion programs. This includes funding for travel,operational testing and evaluation support, andrelated supplies and equipment. Funds for civilianprogram management and general contractorsupport for SOAL include support equipment,necessary facilities, SOAL civilians, and costsassociated with the management of SOAL.

ProcurementThe FY04 Procurement Budget allocates fundsfor mobility, ammunition, communications,intelligence, and miscellaneous programs asshown in Table 7-3.

Table 7-3Procurement Budget ($ in Millions)

Program FY03 FY04

Mobility $627.493$1,511.182Ammunition 39.238 58.252Communication Equipment

& Electronics 28.267 56.225Intelligence 31.572 34.791Miscellaneous 135.819 317.836

Total $862.389 $1,978.286

Mobility programs, the largest mission area inprocurement, include funds for completion ofmajor aircraft and maritime procurement programs.

Ammunition budget will be used primarily toprocure munitions for training, operations, andwar reserve stocks.

Communications Equipment and Electronicsprograms will continue to procure lighter, more

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reliable communications equipment that willbe an improvement over current systems.

Intelligence programs are consolidated intoone SOF budget line item. This consolidationemphasizes the importance of effective manage-ment in an area that is critical and essential tospecial operations.

Mobility ProgramsTable 7-4 depicts the FY04 budget forMobility Programs.

Table 7-4Mobility Programs ($ in Millions)

Program FY03 FY04

Rotary Wing Upgrades $297.206 $675.063SOF Training Systems 13.728 56.133MC-130H Combat

Talon II 7.991 8.838CV-22 SOF Modifications 57.404 108.790AC-130U Gunship

Acquisition 128.842 390.054C-130 Modifications 71.768 214.798Aircraft Support .099 .295Advanced SEAL

Delivery System 27.565 31.924MK8 MOD1 Seal

Delivery System 10.673 10.100SOF Combatant

Craft Systems 12.218 9.981Internally Transportable

Vehicle 0 5.206

Total Mobility $627.494$1,511.182

Rotary-Wing Upgrades and Sustainmentfunding provides for a variety of critical improve-ments to the A/MH-6, MH-60/L/K, MH-53J,TH-53A and MH-47D/E aircraft. These aircraftmust be capable of operating at extended rangesunder adverse weather conditions to infiltrate,provide logistics for, reinforce, and extract SOF.This program provides ongoing survivability,

reliability, maintainability, and operationalupgrades as well as procurement appropriationsustainment costs for fielded rotary wing aircraftand subsystems to include forward basing ofMH-47E helicopters.

SOF Training Systems (STS) will be used toprocure, modernize, and link SOF Army andAir Force ground based trainers to support initial,refresher, and continuation training. These systemsalso provide a critical method for mission rehearsal.STS also funds data base generating equipmentrequired for building and maintaining real-worldtraining and mission rehearsal scenarios.

MC-130H Combat Talon II is a productionand sustainment program in which a specializedavionics suite has been integrated into a C-130Hairframe. Its mission is to conduct night, adverseweather, low-level, long-range operations inhostile, politically denied/sensitive, defendedareas to infiltrate, resupply, or exfiltrate SOFand equipment. All MC-130H aircraft havebeen procured in prior years; ongoing effortsfocus on meeting operational requirements inthe System Operational Requirements Docu-ment by establishing organic intermediateand depot level maintenance capability onthe APQ-170 Radar and Nose Radome.

CV-22 SOF Modification program providesfor SOF modifications to the V-22 verticallift, multi-mission aircraft. The Navy is thelead Service for the joint V-22 program andis responsible for managing and funding thedevelopment of all V-22 variants, includingthe CV-22. The Air Force will procure andfield 50 CV-22 aircraft and support equipmentfor USSOCOM, conduct Initial OperationalTest and Evaluation, and provide Type I train-ing. USSOCOM funds the procurement of SOFpeculiar systems, i.e., terrain following radar,electronic warfare suite, etc. The Air Forcewill fund 85 percent of the procurement costfor CV-22 training systems; USSOCOM funds15 percent. The Air Force and Navy will utilizejoint training facilities at Marine Corps Air Sta-tion, New River, NC, to conduct all maintenance

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training and initial V-22 aircrew qualificationtraining. CV-22 SOF peculiar aircrew missiontraining will be conducted at the Special Opera-tions Mission Qualification Schoolhouse atKirtland AFB, NM.

AC-130U Gunship program provides fundsto modify C-130H2 aircrafts to AC-130Us. Pro-gram funding also supports the ongoingprocess of transitioning prior AC-130Uacquisitions to normal sustainment.

C-130 Modification program provides fornumerous modifications to various models ofthe C-130 aircraft. The FY03 program includes:environmental control unit, special missionequipment obsolescence, part task trainer,and wide-band satellite for the EC-130.

Aircraft Support program funds SOF-peculiarsupport equipment for 16th SOW aircraft.

Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS)provides spares, government furnished equip-ment, a trainer, and ASDS alterations. The ASDSis a manned combatant mini-submarine used forthe delivery of SEAL personnel and weapons andwill provide the requisite range, endurance, pay-load, and other capabilities for operations in afull range of threat environments.

MK8 MOD1 Seal Delivery Vehicle (SDV)program procures two SDVs. The mission ofthe SDV is to provide infiltration/exfiltrationof SEAL combat swimmers into hostile/deniedshore areas and harbor/port facilities for theconduct of special operations.

SOF Combatant Craft Systems programprovides a short-range surface mobility plat-form for SOF insertion and extraction. Theprogram supports the procurement of craft,trailers, prime movers, deployment packages,contractor logistics, and engineering support.

Ammunition ProgramsTable 7-5 presents the FY04 Ammunitionbudget request.

Table 7-5Ammunition Programs

($ in Millions)

Program FY03 FY04

Ordnance Replenishment $28.072 $35.746Ordnance Acquisition 11.166 22.506

Total Ammunition $39.238 $58.252

Ordnance Replenishment provides replenishmentmunitions to support SOF peacetime expenditures,combat reserve quantities.

Ordnance Acquisition program includes fundsto meet the inventory objectives for war reserveand training on a variety of items developed andmodified for SOF. This includes SOF demolitionkits (SOFDK), IMP 105, multi-purpose anti-armor/anti-personnel weapons system (MAAWS),and foreign weapons and ammunitions.

Communications Programs

Table 7-6Communications

Equipment and Electronics($ in Millions)

Program FY03 FY04

SOFTACS $0 16.853NSW Tactical Radio 2.451 0MBMMR 4.441 2.525Miniature Multiband

Beacon 0 1.131Joint Base Station 3.165 0SOF C4IAS 9.379 10.435SCAMPI 7.494 2.727VTC .542 .341HQ C4I Systems .375 0TACLAN .420 22.213

Total Comm Equip $28.267 $56.225& Electronics

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The Communications Equipment and Electronicsprogram provides for communication systemsto support the SOF mission mandate that SOFsystems remain technologically superior toany threat and to provide a maximum degree ofsurvivability. SOF units require communica-tion equipment that will improve their war-fighting capability without degrading theirmobility. Therefore, the SOF CommunicationsEquipment & Electronics program is a continu-ing effort to procure lightweight and efficientSOF Command, Control, Communications,and Computer (C4) capabilities. USSOCOMhas developed an overall strategy to ensure thatC4 systems continue to provide SOF with therequired capabilities well into the 21st Century.The integrated network of systems providepositive command and control and the timelyexchange of intelligence and threat warningto all organizational echelons. The C4 systemsthat support this new architecture will employthe latest standards and technology by transi-tioning from separate systems to full integrationwith the infosphere (a multitude of existing andprojected national assets that will allow SOFelements to operate with any force combina-tion in multiple environments).

Intelligence ProgramsUSSOCOM consolidates Intelligence programsin one budget line item to emphasize the impor-tance of effective management in an area thatis critical and essential to special operations.Table 7-7 shows the distribution of funds forthese programs.

Table 7-7Intelligence ($ in Millions)

Program FY03 FY04

TACLAN 4.877 .591SOJICC 1.450 3.110JTWS 4.806 3.631JDISS/SOCRATES 2.189 5.711JMIP 18.240 18.269MATT 0 3.479Total Intelligence $31.632 $34.971

Funding for the Special Operations JointInteragency Collaboration Center (SOJICC),an initiative program designed to supportinformation operations, counterterrorism, andcounterproliferation operational requirements,will provide hardware and software designedfor data-mining, data analysis, data visualization,and interoperability. The Joint Threat WarningSystem (JTWS) funding will provide interimgap-filling capabilities to a program designedto provide force protection, threat warning,and enhanced situational awareness informa-tion to SOF via signals intelligence interceptand direction finding. The Joint DeployableIntelligence Support System/SOC Research,Analysis, and Threat Evaluation System(JDISS/SOCRATES) program will provideenhancements to intelligence preparationof the battlespace, joint intelligence fusion,collection asset management, automated lan-guage translation, and meteorological andoceanographic system capabilities, upgradedaccess to national databases, and enhancedmessaging capabilities. Replacement equip-ment includes next generation hardware andsoftware purchase for the special operationsintelligence system network. The TACLANprogram procures tactical LAN suites, laptops,and miscellaneous ADP equipment.

Miscellaneous ProgramsThe FY04 budget for Miscellaneous Programsis displayed in Table 7-8.

Table 7-8Miscellaneous ($ in Millions)

Program FY03 FY04

Small Arms/Weapons $20.356 $16.003Maritime Equipment MODS 2.587 1.316Spares/Repair Parts 5.223 7.995SOF Maritime Equipment 2.530 1.990Miscellaneous Equipment 5.634 11.207SOFPARS .294 .292Op Force Enhancements 93.653 260.769PSYOP Equipment 5.532 18.264

Total Miscellaneous $135.819 $317.836

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Small Arms and Weapons provides small armsand combat equipment in support of SOF andprocures a variety of weapons and equipmentto include: advanced lightweight grenadelaunchers, night vision devices, improvednight/day observation/fire control devices,Special Operations advanced tactical parachutesystems, and 5.56 and 7.62mm lightweightmachine guns to meet inventory objectives.

Maritime Equipment Modifications provide forthe MK-V SOC maritime modifications. TheFY03 program provides for pre-planned productimprovements for procurement and integrationof stabilized weapon mounts on the MK-V SOC.

Spares/Repair Parts program finances bothinitial weapon system and aircraft modificationspares for SOF fixed and rotary wing aircraft.Initial weapon system spares include new pro-duction spares, peculiar support equipmentspares, and upgrades to existing spares requiredto support initial operations of new aircraft andincreases in the inventory of additional enditems. Aircraft modification spares includenew spare parts required during the initialoperation of modified airborne systems. Thesefunds reimburse the Air Force Stock fund forSOF initial spares provisioned with Air ForceStock fund obligation authority. The FY03funding provides for the projected deliveries ofinitial spares for the AC-130U/H, MC-130E/H,and MH-53J aircraft.

SOF Maritime Equipment provides SOF peculiarequipment and related production support neces-sary for the Naval Special Warfare Command toexecute special operations and fleet support mis-sions as the Naval Component of USSOCOM.Funding for FY03 provides for procurement/integration of pre-planned product improvementefforts for the semi-autonomous hydrographicreconnaissance vehicle, procurement of hardwarethat is installed on the dry deck shelter as fieldchanges, and procurement of an alternative fuelsengine.

Miscellaneous Equipment provides for varioustypes of low cost procurement equipment thatdo not reasonably fit in other USSOCOM pro-curement line categories. Examples include:joint operational stocks, a USSOCOM man-aged stock of materiel designed to provide jointSOF access to immediately available equipmentin support of real world, contingency and train-ing missions; procurement of collateral equip-ment for military construction projects; NavalCivil Engineering support equipment; andinvestment sustainment items for componentsand subordinate commands.

SOF Planning and Rehearsal System(SOFPARS) is an integrated family of mis-sion planning systems supported by intelli-gence databases and imagery that will be usedby planners within the SOF command struc-ture worldwide to plan and preview SOFmissions. FY03 procurement is a continu-ation effort of the peripheral equipment anddata transfer devices for air, ground, andmaritime mission planners.

Operational Force Enhancements providesfunding for classified SOF projects.

Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Equip-ment procures equipment to meet emergentrequirements of operational forces. The purposeof PSYOP is to induce or reinforce foreign orhostile attitudes and behavior favorable toU.S. national objectives. The FY03 programwill acquire two Fly-Away Broadcast Systems,two PSYOP distribution systems, initial spares,and legacy equipment upgrades.

Research, Development,Test & Evaluation(RDT&E)Modern technology provides the essentialadvantage for many special operations.Consequently, resources are requestedfor SOF RDT&E each year. Most funds

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requested for FY04 will be used to improvecurrent systems, components, and subsystems.Table 7-9 shows how RDT&E funds will bebudgeted for FY04.

Table 7-9RDT&E ($ in Millions)

Program FY03 FY04

Small Business Innovative $12.620 TBD ResearchTech Base Development 18.006 9.715Adv Tech Development 79.550 67.017Intelligence Systems 4.648 16.726Medical Technology 3.339 1.961SOF Operational

Enhancements 83.860 64.430Tactical Sys Development 287.621 255.981Special Applications for Contingencies 22.817 24.587

Total $512.461 $440.417

Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)program element consists of a highly competitivethree-phase award system which provides qualifiedsmall business concerns with the opportunity topropose high quality innovative ideas that meetspecific research and development needs ofUSSOCOM.

Technology Base Development program con-ducts studies and develops laboratory prototypesfor applied research and advanced technologydevelopment, as well as leverages other organiza-tions’ technology projects that may not otherwisebe affordable within MFP-11. This program pro-vides an investment strategy for USSOCOMto link non-systems technology opportunitiesto USSOCOM deficiencies, capability objec-tives, and technology development objectivesand mission area analyses.

Advanced Technology Development programconducts rapid prototyping and Advanced Tech-nology Demonstrations (ATD). It provides ameans for demonstrating and evaluating the utilityof emerging/advanced technologies in as realistican operational environment as possible by SOFusers. The FY03 plan is to participate in SOF C4I,Mobility, Weapons, and Sustainment ATDs; man-age the Advanced Tactical Laser Advanced Con-cept Technology Demonstration (ACTD); andcontinue the AC-X Analysis of Alternatives.

Intelligence Systems Development programfunds are used to develop and test selectedspecial operations equipment that providestimely intelligence support to deployed forces.The FY03 plan is to participate in JCS andtheater ACTDs that: evaluate nationaltechnical support to amphibious operations,overall interoperability and support of com-bined SOF and conventional operations;continue to assess technology and operation-al utility of national systems; and continuethe Special Operations Joint InteragencyCollaboration Center (SOJICC) program.

Medical Technology program provides studies,non-system exploratory ATDs and evaluationsfocused on medical technologies and centeredon physiologic, psychologic, and ergonomicfactors affecting the ability of SOF to performtheir missions. Funds will be used in the sevenfollowing areas of investigation: combat casualtymanagement; decompression procedures forSOF diving operations; exercise-related injuries;inhaled gas toxicology; medical sustainmenttraining techniques; mission-related physi-ology; and thermal protection.

SOF Enhancements program provides fundingfor classified SOF projects as directed by theSecretary of Defense and/or the Joint Staff.

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Tactical Systems Development program developsand tests selected specialized equipment to meetSOF-unique requirements. Table 7-10 details useof funds for these programs.

Special Applications for Contingencies (SAFC)program element develops and deploys specialcapabilities to perform intelligence surveillanceand reconnaissance for deployed Special Opera-tions Forces using non-traditional means.

Table 7-10Tactical Systems ($ Millions)

Program FY03 FY04

Aircraft Defensive System $69.018 $53.615AC-130 U 28.969 1.228PSYOP 0.475 2.273SOF Aviation 36.450 46.094Underwater System

Adv Development 31.305 16.254SOF Surface Craft Adv Systems 0.950 0.471SOFPARS 1.704 2.603Wpns/Spt System

Adv Development 3.568 3.840SOF Training System 0.0 10.326Comm Adv Development 2.095 0.00Munitions Adv

Development 3.690 0.216Aviation Sys Adv

Development 48.150 82.605CV-22 59.820 36.456SO Misc Equip

Adv Development 1.427 0.00

Totals $287.621 $255.981

Aircraft Defensive Systems project identifieshardware, and software enhancements, for eachSOF aircraft that will reduce detection, vulnera-bility, and threat engagement from threat radars.The FY04 program will continue to supportlaboratory efforts to maintain SOF aircraft

defensive systems and continued non-recur-ring engineering for towed decoy, as well asdevelopment and test of aircraft integration.

AC-130U Gunship program for FY03 begandevelopment of modifications to C-130H’s includ-ing: weight and drag reduction designs, revisedsurvivability studies, and a common electro-opticalsensor system. This program continues efforts withAir Force laboratories to analyze and demonstrategunship-related emerging electro-optical sensortechnologies; continuing ground and flight testoperations for ongoing AC-130 modifications;and technical studies and reliability/maintainabil-ity studies.

PSYOP Advanced Development Program beginsenvironmental and operational testing of thePSYOP Distribution System, and Fly-Away Broad-cast System variants, and completes developmentaland operational test and evaluation of the TheaterMedia Production Center.

ARSOF Aviation continues MH-47/MH-60 andA/MH-6 projects. The FY 2004 plan: completesprototype testing of the G Cal 50 machine gunfor the A/MH-6; continues non-recurringengineering for the MH-47 SLEP; begins aneffort to develop a replacement radar altimeterthat is less detectable; begins development andtesting of panoramic night vision goggles, arotary wing terrain following/terrain avoidancenavigation system, and an obstacle avoidance/cable warning system for all platforms.

Underwater Systems Advanced Developmentproject funds the development of Naval SpecialWarfare support items used during hydrographic/inland reconnaissance, beach obstacle clearance,underwater ship attack, and other direct actionmissions. Sub-projects include the ASDS, NSWvery shallow water mine countermeasures, SEALdelivery vehicle electronic equipment, and non-gasoline burning outboard engine.

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Special Operations Forces Planning andRehearsal System (SOFPARS) is an auto-mated mission planning capability to supportSOF and consists of the SOF version of theAir Force mission support system and theSOF portable computer flight planning sys-tem. The FY03 program provides continueddevelopment of software architecture interfacesto ensure system compatibility with service/component mission planning, rehearsal, andexecution systems and continues test and eval-uation on core software, installable softwaremodules, aircraft weapons/electronics, andflight performance models.

Weapons and Support Systems AdvancedDevelopment Program provides development andtesting of specialized, lightweight individualweapons, fire control/surveillance devices, andcombat equipment to meet the unique require-ments of SOF. FY03 funding is being usedto develop Enhanced Combat Optical Sights.

Munitions Advanced Development projectsinclude specialized munitions and equipmentfor unique SOF requirements. The FY03program supports the SOF Demolition Kit,updating MS C package, and preparing formaterial release.

Aviation Advanced Systems Developmentproject investigates the applicability of currentand maturing technologies that have greatpotential for direct application to the develop-ment and procurement of specialized equipmentto meet SOF-unique aviation requirements.The FY03 program: continues terrainfollowing/terrain avoidance and enhancedsituational awareness (ESA) developmentunder the U.S. Air Force AMP contract;initiates development of below line-of-sightESA; completes engineering & manufacturingdevelopment activities for the MC-130H airrefueling system; and continues AC-130Upre-planned product improvements.

CV-22 project provides capabilities necessaryto meet Special Operations Forces operationalrequirements. The CV-22 acquisition programdelayed the incorporation of some operationalcapabilities until the completion of a block 10(formerly Pre-Planned Product Improvement)CV-22 program. This strategy was based on adevelopmental funding cap agreed to by theDepartment of the Navy and the USSOCOMAcquisition Executive and concerns over thetechnical maturity of parallel acquisitionprograms. The FY04 program continues thedevelopment/integration/testing of the block 10program.

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APPENDIX A

HQ USSOCOM CENTERORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS

AND DESCRIPTIONS

Title 10

WarFighting

/CIV

Center for Special Operations

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Center for CommandSupport (SOCS)SOCS MissionA special and support staff providing advice andassistance on a broad range of issues to the HQUSSOCOM, Components, and SOCs enhancingcommand mission accomplishment.

SOCS Title 10 Responsibilities� Monitor the promotions, assignments,

retention, training, and professionalmilitary development of all SOF officers

� Internally audit and inspect purchaseand contract actions

SOCS Organizational Chart

InspectorGeneral

Staff JudgeAdvocate

LegislativeAffairs

PoliticalAdvisor

Command OperationsReview Board

WashingtonOffice

CommandChaplain

DiversityManagement

(EO)

ExecutiveServices

CommandHistorian

Innovation &Improvement

CommandEngineer

ReserveComponent

PublicAffairs

Personnel

HeadquartersCommandant

CommandSurgeon

SecurityManagement

SecurityJoint Staff

Chief of StaffDirector, Command

Support Center

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Center for Acquisition andLogistics (SOAL)SOAL Mission1) Directly manage selected SO-peculiar devel-opment and procurement programs; 2) maintaininsight into MFP-11 funded programs managedby the Services; 3) conduct total life cycle man-agement for SOF; 4) serve as command focalpoint for SOF acquisition and logistics policies,procedures, activities, programs, projects, and

information; and 5) serve as USSOCOM inter-face with DOD and national labs, components,Services, joint staff, Congress, and industry onRD&A matters.

SOAL Title 10 Responsibilities� Acquire special operations-peculiar material,

supplies, and services

� Develop and acquire special operations-peculiar equipment

Director ofManagement

Director ofLogistics

Director ofProcurement

PEOSpecial

Programs

PEOIntel & InfoSystems

Office ofAdvanced

Technology

PEOFixed Wing

PEOMaritime &

Rotary

Director, Acquisition &Logistics Center

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Center for Requirementsand Resources (SORR)SORR MissionSupport SOF through the development ofresourcing, operational mission and force structureanalysis, and strategic assessments to support ourcomponent commands and customers.

SORR Title 10 Responsibilities� Prepare and submit to Secretary of Defense

program recommendations and budget pro-posals for special operations and other forcesassigned to USSOCOM

� Exercise authority, direction, and controlover the expenditure of funds for forcesassigned to USSOCOM and for SOF assignedto unified combatant commands other thanthe USSOCOM

� Prioritize requirements

� Ensure interoperability of equipment

DirectorComptroller

Director, ProgramAnalysis & Evaluation

Director, StrategicPlanning

Director, Force StructureResources, Requirements, andStrategic Assessments Center

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Center for Intelligence andInformation Operations(SOIO)SOIO MissionThe mission of SOIO is to ensure full spectruminformation dominance for Special OperationsForces through intelligence, communications,and information operations; develop strategy,formulate policy and provide oversight of intel-ligence, communications, and informationoperations to support the successful accom-plishment of SOF missions worldwide.

SOIO Title 10 Responsibilities� Formulate and submit requirements for

intelligence support

� Assist other Centers in executing their responsi-bilities for intelligence- and communications-related aspects of Title 10 responsibilities such asacquiring SO-peculiar equipment, prioritizingrequirements, and ensuring interoperability ofequipment and forces

Chief InformationOfficer

ChiefJoint Intelligence

Center

Director ofIntelligence

Director,Center for Intelligence

and Information Operations

Business AffairsOffice

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Center for Policy, Training,and Readiness (SOOP)SOOP MissionEnsure all special operations deployments andplans supporting the President and Secretaryof Defense, Geographic Combatant Commandersand Ambassadors are tailored to mission require-ments, reflect current force capabilities,and are consistent with USSOCOM Title 10responsibilities and core tasks. In support of theseobjectives, oversee: SOF doctrine, educa-tion, tempo, remediation as well as the trainingand exercise programs in order to optimize forcereadiness and SOF relevance.

SOOP Title 10 Responsibilities� Develop Strategy, Doctrine, and Tactics

� Train assigned forces

� Conduct specialized courses of instruction forcommissioned and noncommissioned officers

� Validate and establish priorities for requirements

� Ensure the interoperability of equipmentand forces

� Ensure combat readiness of forces assignedto USSOCOM

� Monitor the preparedness of special opera-tions to carry out assigned missions of SOFassigned to unified combatant commandsother than USSOCOM

Strategy, Policy &Plans Division

SOOP-PS

Center Director &Deputy Director

Center for Policy, Training, & Readiness(SOOP)

Training, Doctrine& EducationSOOP-PT

InformationOperationsSOOP-IO

RequirementsValidationSOOP-RV

Operational Test& EvaluationSOOP-RE

ReadinessSOOP-RR

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Center for Special Operations

Strategic & OperationalPlanning

OperationalDirection & C2

InformationManagement

InformationSuperiority

CampaignSupportGroup

OperationsGroup

JointOperations

Center

SOJIC/SOJICC

C41Commander

WarfightingSupport

SOIO

SOCS

SORR

SOOP

CIE

Center for Special Operations(CSO)CSO MissionResponsible to the Commander, USSOCOM forplanning. directing, and executing special opera-tions in the conduct of the War on Terrorism inorder to disrupt, defeat, and destroy terroristnetworks that threaten the United States, itscitizens, and interests worldwide.

CIE = Collaborative Information Environment

C4I/PSYOP

CommanderDirector

SOAL

StrategicPSYOP

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Air Force special operations forces (AFSOF) –Those active duty and Reserve Component AirForce forces designated by the Secretary of Defensethat are specifically organized, trained, andequipped to conduct and support specialoperations. (Joint Pub 1-02)

antiterrorism (AT) – Defensive measures usedto reduce the vulnerability of individuals andproperty to terrorist acts, to include limitedresponse and containment by local militaryforces. (Joint Pub 1-02)

area oriented – Personnel or units whoseorganizations, mission, training, and equippingare based on projected operational deploymentto a specific geographic or demographic area.(Joint Pub 1-02)

armed reconnaissance – A mission with theprimary purpose of locating and attacking targetsof opportunity (i.e., enemy materiel, personnel,and facilities, in assigned general areas or alongassigned ground communications routes) andnot for the purpose of attacking specific briefedtargets. (Joint Pub 1-02)

Army special operations forces (ARSOF) –Those active duty and Reserve Component Armyforces designated by the Secretary of Defensethat are specifically organized, trained, andequipped to conduct and support specialoperations. (Joint Pub 1-02)

campaign plan – A plan for a series of relatedmilitary operations aimed at accomplishing astrategic or operational objective within a giventime and space. (Joint Pub 1-02)

APPENDIX B

GLOSSARY

civil administration – An administration estab-lished by a foreign government in (1) friendlyterritory, under an agreement with the govern-ment of the area concerned, to exercise certainauthority normally the function of the localgovernment, or (2) hostile territory, occupiedby U.S. forces, where a foreign governmentexercises executive, legislative, and judicialauthority until an indigenous civil govern-ment can be established. (Joint Pub 1-02)

civil affairs activities – Activities performed orsupported by civil affairs that (1) enhance therelationship between military forces and civilauthorities in areas where military forces arepresent; and (2) involve application of civil affairsfunctional speciality skills, in areas normally theresponsibility of civil government, to enhanceconduct of civil-military operations.(Joint Pub 1-02)

civil affairs (CA) forces – Military units,detachments, or other military organizationsthat are designated as “civil affairs” organiza-tions and are mission oriented and trained toplan, direct, and conduct civil affairs activities;also includes personnel who are trained andqualified in civil affairs and meet the qualifica-tions of civil affairs as determined by theirService. (Joint Pub 3-57)

civil-military operations (CMO) – The activitiesof a commander that establish, maintain, influ-ence, or exploit relations between military forces,governmental and non-governmental civilianorganizations and authorities, and the civilianpopulace in a friendly, neutral, or hostile opera-tional area in order to facilitate military oper-ations, to consolidate and achieve U.S. objectives.

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Civil-military operations may include performanceby military forces of activities and functionsnormally the responsibility of local, regional, ornational government. These activities may occurprior to, during, or subsequent to other militaryactions. They may also occur, if directed, in theabsence of other military operations. Civil-militaryoperations may be performed by designated CA, byother military forces, or a combination of CA andother forces. (Joint Pub 1-02)

civil-military operations center (CMOC) –An ad hoc organization, normally establishedby the geographic combatant commander orsubordinate joint force commander to assist inthe coordination of activities of engaged militaryforces, and other U.S. Government agencies,non-governmental organizations, and regionaland international organizations. There is noestablished structure, and its size and composi-tion are situation dependent. (Joint Pub 1-02)

clandestine operations – An operation sponsoredor conducted by governmental departments oragencies in such a way as to assure secrecy orconcealment. A clandestine operation differsfrom a covert operation in that emphasis is placedon concealment of the operation rather than onconcealment of the identity of the sponsor. Inspecial operations, an activity may be both covertand clandestine and may focus equally on opera-tional considerations and intelligence-relatedactivities. (Joint Pub 1-02)

combat control team (CCT) – A small taskorganized team of Air Force parachute and combatdiver qualified personnel trained and equipped torapidly establish and control drop, landing, andextraction zone air traffic in austere or hostileconditions. They survey and establish terminalairheads as well as provide guidance to aircraftfor airlift operations. They provide commandand control, and conduct reconnaissance, sur-veillance, and survey assessments of potentialobjective airfields or assault zones. They alsocan perform limited weather observations andremoval of obstacles or unexploded ordinance withdemolitions. (Joint Pub 3-17)

combat search and rescue (CSAR) – A specifictask performed by rescue forces to effect therecovery of distressed personnel during waror military operations other than war.(Joint Pub 1-02)

combat weathermen – Air Force personnelwho provide specialized meteorological, environ-mental, and oceanographic services for worldwideemployment of joint SOF. As an ancillary mission,combat weathermen also have the capability todeploy forward to provide meteorological andoceanographic data in data-denied areas.(Joint Pub 3-59)

combating terrorism (CBT) – All actions,including antiterrorism (defensive measurestaken to reduce vulnerability to terrorist acts),counterterrorism (offensive measures taken toprevent, deter, and respond to terrorism) takento oppose terrorism throughout the entire threatspectrum, to include terrorist use of WMDand/or high explosives. (Joint Pub 1-02)

command and control warfare (C2W) – Theintegrated use of operations security, militarydeception, psychological operations, electronicwarfare, and physical destruction, mutuallysupported by intelligence, to deny informationto, influence, degrade, or destroy adversary com-mand and control capabilities, while protectingfriendly command and control capabilities againstsuch actions. Command and control warfare isan application of information warfare in militaryoperations and is a subset of information warfare.Command and control warfare applies across therange of military operations and all levels ofconflict. (Joint Pub 1-02)

contingency – An emergency involving mili-tary forces caused by natural disasters, terrorists,subversives, or by required military operations.Due to the uncertainty of the situation, contin-gencies require plans, rapid response, and specialprocedures to ensure the safety and readiness ofpersonnel, installations, and equipment.(Joint Pub 1-02)

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counterdrug (CD) – Those active measures takento detect, monitor, and counterthe production, trafficking, and use of illegaldrugs. (Joint Pub 1-02)

countermine operation – In land mine warfare,an operation to reduce or eliminate the effectsof mines or minefields. (Joint Pub 1-02)

counterproliferation (CP) – The activities of theDepartment of Defense across the full range of U.S.government efforts to combat proliferation ofnuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, includ-ing the application of military power to protectU.S. forces and interests; intelligence collectionand analysis; and support of diplomacy, armscontrol, and export controls. Accomplishment ofthese activities may require coordination withother U.S. government agencies.

counterterrorism (CT) – Offensive measurestaken to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorism.(Joint Pub 1-02)

covert operation – An operation that is so plannedand executed as to conceal the identity of or permitplausible denial by the sponsor. A covert operationdiffers from a clandestine operation in that empha-sis is placed on the concealment of the identity ofthe sponsor rather than on concealment of theoperation. (Joint Pub 1-02)

deployment – The relocation of forces andmateriel to desired areas of operation. Deploy-ment encompasses all activities from origin orhome station through destination, specificallyincluding intra-continental U.S., inter-theater,and intra-theater movement legs, staging, andholding areas. (Joint Pub 1-02)

direct action (DA) – Short-duration strikes andother small-scale offensive actions by specialoperations forces to seize, destroy, capture, recover,or inflict damage on designated personnel ormateriel. In the conduct of these operations, SOFmay employ raid, ambush, or direct assault tactics;emplace mines and other munitions; conductstandoff attacks by fire from air, ground, or mari-

time platforms; provide terminal guidance forprecision-guided munitions; conduct independentsabotage; conduct anti-ship operations.(Joint Pub 1-02)

dry deck shelter (DDS) – A shelter modulethat attaches to the hull of a specially configuredsubmarine to provide the submarine with thecapability to launch and recover special opera-tions personnel, vehicles, and equipment whilesubmerged. The dry deck shelter provides aworking environment at one atmosphere forthe special operations element during transitand has structural integrity to the collapsedepth of the host submarine. (Joint Pub 1-02)

employment – The strategic, operational, ortactical use of forces. (Joint Pub 1-02)

force multiplier – A capability that, when addedto and employed by a combat force, significantlyincreases the combat potential of that force andthus enhances the probability of successful mis-sion accomplishment. (Joint Pub 1-02)

foreign internal defense (FID) – Participationby civilian and military agencies of a governmentin any of the action programs taken by anothergovernment to free and protect its society fromsubversion, lawlessness, and insurgency.(Joint Pub 1-02)

guerrilla warfare (GW) – Military and paramili-tary operations conducted in enemy-held or hostileterritory by irregular, predominantly indigenousforces. (Joint Pub 1-02)

host nation (HN) – A nation which receives theforces and/or supplies of allied nations and/orNATO organizations to be located on, to operatein, or to transit through its territory.(Joint Pub 1-02)

humanitarian assistance (HA) – Programsconducted to relieve or reduce the results ofnatural or manmade disasters or other endemicconditions, such as human pain, disease, hunger,or privation, that might present a serious loss

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of life or that can result in great damage or lossof property. Humanitarian assistance providedby U.S. forces is limited in scope and duration.The assistance is designed to supplement orcomplement the efforts of the host-nation civilauthorities or agencies that may have the primaryresponsibility for providing humanitarian assis-tance. (Joint Pub 1-02)

humanitarian demining (HD) – A humanitarianand civic assistance mission aimed at assistinghost nations to reduce or eliminate landmines.HD includes activities related to furnishing ofeducation, training, and technical assistancewith respect to the detection and clearance oflandmines. (10 USC §401(e)(5))

infiltration – 1) The movement through or into anarea or territory occupied by either friendly orenemy troops or organizations. The movement ismade, either by small groups or by individuals, atextended or irregular intervals when used inconnection with the enemy, it infers that contact isavoided. 2) In intelligence usage, placing an agentor other person in a target area in hostile territory.Usually involves crossing a frontier or otherguarded line. Methods of infiltration are black(clandestine); grey (through legal crossing pointbut under false documentation); and white (legal).(Joint Pub 1-02)

information operations (IO) – Actions takento affect adversary information and informationsystems while defending one’s own informationand information systems. (Joint Pub 1-02)

information superiority – That degree of domi-nance in the information domain which permitsthe conduct of operations without effectiveopposition. (Joint Pub 1-02)

information warfare (IW) – Information opera-tions conducted during time of crisis or conflictto achieve or promote specific objectives over aspecific adversary or adversaries. (Joint Pub 1-02)

insurgency – An organized movement aimedat the overthrow of a constituted government

through the use of subversion and armedconflict. (Joint Pub 1-02)

joint force commander (JFC) – A general termapplied to a combatant commander, subunifiedcommander, or joint task force commander autho-rized to exercise combatant command (commandauthority) or operational control over a jointforce. (Joint Pub 1-02)

joint force special operations component com-mander (JFSOCC) – The commander within aunified command, subordinate unified command,or joint task force responsible to the establishingcommander for making recommendations on theproper employment of special operations forces andassets, planning and coordinating special opera-tions, or accomplishing such operational missionsas may be assigned. The JFSOCC is given theauthority necessary to accomplish missions andtasks assigned by the establishing commander. Thejoint force special operations component com-mander will normally be the commander with thepreponderance of SOF and the requisite commandand control capabilities. (Joint Pub 1-02)

joint special operations air component com-mander (JSOACC) – The commander within thejoint force special operations command responsiblefor planning and executing joint special air opera-tions and for coordinating and deconflicting suchoperations with conventional nonspecial opera-tions air activities. The JSOAAC will normally bethe commander with the preponderance of assetsand/or greatest ability to plan, coordinate, allocate,task, control, and support the assigned joint specialoperations aviation assets. The JSOACC may bedirectly subordinate to the joint force specialoperations component commander or to any non-special operations component or joint force com-mander as directed. (Joint Pub 1-02)

joint special operations task force (JSOTF) –A joint task force composed of special operationsunits from more than one Service, formed to carryout a specific special operation or prosecute specialoperations in support of a theater campaign orother operations. The JSOTF may have conven-

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tional nonspecial operations units assigned orattached to support the conduct of specificmissions. (Joint Pub 1-02)

joint task force (JTF) – A joint force that isconstituted and so designated by the Secretaryof Defense, a combatant commander, a sub-unified commander, or an existing joint taskforce commander. (Joint Pub 1-02)

low-intensity conflict (LIC) – Political-militaryconfrontation between contending states orgroups below conventional war and above theroutine, peaceful competition among states;frequently involves protracted struggles of com-peting principles and ideologies. Low-intensityconflict ranges from subversion to the use ofarmed force. It is waged by a combination ofmeans employing political, economic, informa-tional, and military instruments. Low-intensityconflicts are often localized but contain regionaland global security implications.

military operations other than war (MOOTW) –Operations that encompass the use of militarycapabilities across the range of military opera-tions short of war. These military actions can beapplied to complement any combination of theother instruments of national power and occurbefore, during, and after war. (Joint Pub 1-02)

mine warfare (MIW) – The strategic, operational,and tactical use of mines and mine countermea-sures. Mine warfare is divided into two basicsubdivisions: the laying of mines to degrade theenemy’s capabilities to wage land, air, and mari-time warfare; and the countering of enemy-laidmines to permit friendly maneuver or use ofselected land or sea areas. (Joint Pub 1-02)

mobile training team (MTT) – A team consistingof one or more U.S. military or civilian person-nel sent on temporary duty, often to a foreignnation, to give instruction. The mission of theteam is to train indigenous personnel to operate,maintain, and employ weapons and supportsystems, or to develop a self-training capabilityin a particular skill. The President or Secretary

of Defense may direct a team to train eithermilitary or civilian indigenous personnel,depending upon host nation requests.(Joint Pub 1-02)

naval special warfare (NSW) – A designatednaval warfare specialty that conducts operationsin the coastal, riverine, and maritime environ-ments. Naval special warfare emphasizes small,flexible, mobile units operating under, on, andfrom the sea. These operations are characterizedby stealth, speed, and precise, violent applicationof force. (Joint Pub 1-02)

naval special warfare forces (NSW or NAVSOF)– those active and Reserve Component Navyforces designated by the Secretary of Defense thatare specifically organized, trained, and equipped tocon duct and support special operations.(Joint Pub 1-02)

naval special warfare group (NSWG) – Apermanent Navy echelon III major commandto which many naval special warfare forces areassigned for some operational and all administra-tive purposes. It consists of a group headquarterswith command and control, communications,and support staff; sea-air-land teams; and sea-air-land delivery vehicle teams. (Joint Pub 1-02)

naval special warfare unit (NSWU) – A perma-nent Navy organization forward based to controland support attached naval special warfare forces.(Joint Pub 1-02)

overt operation – An operation conducted openlywithout concealment. (Joint Pub 1-02)

paramilitary forces – Forces or groups distinctfrom the regular armed forces of any country,but resembling them in organization, equipment,training, or mission. (Joint Pub 1-02)

pararescue team (PRT) – Specially trained person-nel qualified to penetrate to the site of an incidentby land or parachute, render medical aid, accom-plish survival methods, and rescue survivors.(Joint Pub 1-02)

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poststrike reconnaissance – Missions undertakenfor the purpose of gathering information used tomeasure results of a strike. (Joint Pub 1-02)

psychological operations (PSYOP) – Plannedoperations to convey selected information andindicators to foreign audiences to influence theiremotions, motives, objective reasoning, andultimately the behavior of foreign governments,organizations, groups, and individuals. The pur-pose of PSYOP is to induce or reinforce foreignattitudes and behaviors favorable to theoriginator’s objectives. (Joint Pub 1-02)

raid – An operation, usually small scale, involv-ing a swift penetration of hostile territory to secureinformation, confuse the enemy, or to destroyinstallations. It ends with a planned withdrawalupon completion of the assigned mission.(Joint Pub 1-02)

Rangers – Rapidly deployable, airborne lightinfantry personnel organized and trained to con-duct highly complex joint direct action operationsin coordination with or in support of other specialoperations units of all Services. Rangers can alsoexecute direct action operations in support ofconventional, nonspecial operations missionsconducted by a combatant commander and canoperate as conventional light infantry whenproperly augmented with other elements ofcombined arms. (Joint Pub 1-02)

recovery operations – Operations conductedto search for, locate, identify, rescue, and returnpersonnel, sensitive equipment, or items criticalto national security. (Joint Pub 1-02)

sabotage – An act or acts with intent to injure,interfere with, or obstruct the national defenseof a country by willfully injuring or destroying, orattempting to injure or destroy, any nationaldefense or war materiel, premises, or utilities, toinclude human or natural resources.(Joint Pub 1-02)

sea-air-land team (SEAL team) – A naval forcespecially organized, trained, and equipped to

conduct special operations in maritime, littoral,and riverine environments. (Joint Pub 1-02)

security assistance – Group of programs auth-orized by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, asamended, and the Arms Export Control Act of1976, as amended, or related statutes by which theU.S. provides defense articles, military training,and other defense-related services by grant, loan,credit, or cash sales in furtherance of nationalpolicies and objectives. (Joint Pub 1-02)

special activities – Activities conducted in sup-port of national foreign policy objectives thatare planned and executed so that the role of theU.S. Government is not apparent or acknowledgedpublicly. They are also functions in support of suchactivities, but are not intended to influence U.S.political processes, public opinion, policies, ormedia and do not include diplomatic activitiesor the collection and production of intelligenceor related support functions. (Joint Pub 1-02)

special boat teams (SBT) – Those U.S. Navyforces organized, trained, and equipped to conductor support naval special warfare, riverine warfare,coastal patrol and interdiction, and joint specialoperations with patrol boats or other combatantcraft designed primarily for special operationssupport.

special forces (SF) – U.S. Army forces organized,trained, and equipped specifically to conductspecial operations. Special forces have five primarymissions: unconventional warfare, foreign internaldefense, direct action, special reconnaissance, andcounterterrorism. Counterterrorism is a specialmission for specially organized, trained, andequipped special forces units designated intheater contingency plans. (Joint Pub 1-02)

special forces group (SFG) — A combat armsorganization capable of planning, conducting, andsupporting special operations activities in alloperational environments in peace, conflict, andwar. It consists of a group headquarters and head-quarters company, a support company, and special

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forces battalions. The group can operate as a singleunit, but normally the battalions plan and conductoperations from widely separated locations. Thegroup provides general operational direction andsynchronizes the activities of subordinate battal-ions. Although principally structured for uncon-ventional warfare, special forces group units arecapable of task-organizing to meet specific require-ments. (Joint Pub 3-05)

special operations (SO) — Operations conductedby specially organized, trained, and equippedmilitary and paramilitary forces to achieve military,political, economic, or informational objectives byunconventional military means in hostile, denied,or politically sensitive areas. These operations areconducted across the full range of military opera-tions, independently or incoordination withoperations of conventional, non-special operationsforces. Political-military considerations frequentlyshape special operations, requiring clandestine,covert, or low visibility techniques and oversight atthe national level. Special operations differ fromconventional operations in degree of physical andpolitical risk, operational techniques, mode ofemployment, independence from friendly support,and dependence on detailed operational intelli-gence and indigenous assets. (JP 3-05)

special operations command (SOC) — A subordi-nate unified or other joint command established bya joint force commander to plan, coordinate,conduct, and support joint special operationswithin the joint force commander’s assignedoperational area. (JP 3-05)

special operations forces (SOF) — Those activeduty and Reserve Component forces of the MilitaryServices designated by the Secretary of Defenseand specifically organized, trained, and equipped toconduct and support special operations.(Joint Pub 3-05.3)

special operations liaison element (SOLE) — Aspecial operations liaison team provided by thejoint force special operations component com-mander to the joint force air component com-mander (if designated) to coordinate, deconflict,

and integrate special operations air and surfaceoperations with conventional air operations.(Joint Pub 1-02)

special operations-peculiar (SO-peculiar) —Equipment, material, supplies, and services re-quired for special operations mission support forwhich there is no broad conventional force re-quirement. This includes standard items used byother Department of Defense (DOD) forces butmodified for special operations forces (SOF); itemsinitially designed for, or used by, SOF until adaptedfor use as Service-common by other DOD forces;and items approved by the Commander, USSpecial Operations Command (CDRUSSOCOM)as critically urgent for the immediate accomplish-ment of a special operations mission but notnormally procured by CDRUSSOCOM.(Joint Pub 3-05)

special operations wing (SOW) – An Air Forcespecial operations wing. (Joint Pub 3-05.5)

special reconnaissance (SR) — Reconnaissanceand surveillance actions conducted by specialoperations forces to obtain or verify, by visualobservation or other collection methods, informa-tion concerning the capabilities, intentions, andactivities of an actual or potential enemy or tosecure data concerning the meteorological, hydro-graphic, or geographic characteristics of a particu-lar area. It includes target acquisition, area assess-ment, and post-strike reconnaissance.(Joint Pub 3-05.5)

special tactics team (STT) – U.S. Air Forcespecial operations task oranized element that mayinclude combat control, pararescue, and combatweather personnel who are organized, trained, andequipped to establish and control the air-groundinterface at an airhead in the objective area.Functions include assault zone reconnaissance andsurveillance, establishment, and terminal control;combat search and rescue; combat casualtycare and evacuation staging; special operationsterminal attack control; and tactical weatherobservations and forecasting. (Joint Pub 3-05.1)

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Special Tactics Operators in Operation Enduring Freedom

subordinate unified command – A commandestablished by commanders of unified commands,when so authorized through the Chairman of theJoint Chiefs of Staff, to conduct operations on acontinuing basis in accordance with the criteriaset forth for unified commands. A subordinateunified command may be established on an areaor functional basis. Commanders of subordinateunified commands have functions and responsibili-ties similar to those of the commanders of unifiedcommands and exercise operational control ofassigned commands and forces within the assign-ed joint operations area. Also called sub-unifiedcommand. (Joint Pub 1-02)

subversion – Action designed to undermine themilitary, economic, psychological, or politicalstrength or morale of a regime. (Joint Pub 1-02)

unconventional warfare (UW) – A broad spec-trum of military and paramilitary operations,normally of long duration, predominately con-ducted by indigenous or surrogate forces who areorganized, trained, equipped, supported, anddirected in varying degrees by an external source. Itincludes guerrilla warfare and other direct offen-

sive, low visibility, covert, or clandestine opera-tions, as well as the indirect activities of subver-sion, sabotage, intelligence activities, and evasionand escape. (Joint Pub 1-02)

unified command – A command with a broadcontinuing mission under a single commanderand composed of significant assigned componentsof two or more Military Departments, that is estab-lished and so designated by the President, throughthe Secretary of Defense, with the advice andassistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefsof Staff. (Joint Pub 1-02)

weapons of mass destruction (WMD) – Weaponsthat are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroylarge numbers of people. WMD can be highexplosive, nuclear, chemical, biological, andradiological weapons, but excludes the means oftransporting or propelling the weapon where suchmeans is a separable and divisible part of theweapon. (Joint Pub 1-02)

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With special appreciation to Colleen Wiatt, Protean Gibril, Ray Chapman, Jim Kiras and Matt Johnson whose efforts made this document possible.

World Wide Web Information AccessThe Special Operations Forces Posture Statement

may be accessed on the Defense LINK athttp://www.defenselink.mil/policy/solic

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