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This Briefing is Classified UNCLASSIFIED

Arctic SOF Capabilities Work Shop

Back Brief 20 Nov 14

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Purpose

• Provide a dynamic forum for the SOF components and global SOF network partners to explore opportunities and challenges related to the Arctic

• Identify and capture the special operations implications, challenges, risks, opportunities, and capability requirements for SOF operations in the Arctic

• Identify SOF Arctic requirements to the USSOCOM strategic planning process

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Discussion/Presentations

Day 1• Opportunities in the Arctic and Russian Challenges• USNORTHCOM Arctic Strategy• Norway’s Arctic Strategy• "What is the future role for SOF in the Arctic?“

Day 2 • Arctic Communications Capabilities/Limitations• Search & Rescue Capabilities and Limitations• Scenario

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Scenario Objectives

• Identify implications, challenges, risks, and capability requirements for SOF operations in the North American Arctic.

• Examine SOF Arctic mission planning and preparation for operations above 66 North

• Examine C2 among special operations and conventional forces in a harsh and austere environment

• Discuss mission execution in context of extreme cold and maritime conditions characteristic of the Arctic

• Identify ISR planning & integration challenges during operations above 66 North

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Scenario

• RUS law enforcement has been tracking a shipment of conventional arms as it made its way across the country and arrived at Pevek RU

• Shipment is believed to be destined for Taiwan to support unionist “One China” movement. PRC supportive but distances itself from group

• Shipment contains small arms, ammunition, and man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS)

• Not believed to contain nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons or materiel

• Shipment loaded on MV Bassa, a Liberian flagged freighter

Scenario Continue

• RUS Border Guard notifies USCG District 17 of situation

• DHS delegates USCG lead to locate, identify, stop or delay.

• USNORTHCOM tasked to support• Bassa expected to transit Bering

Strait 23 Aug 0200Z (5 DAYS)• Last AIS broadcast 21/2230Z &

No record of Bassa transiting Bering Strait

• USNORTHCOM issues order to all components to develop possible COA

• SOCNORTH begins COA development

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Discussion Themes

• Infrastructure– Main Operating Base (MOB)– Intermediate Staging Base (ISB)

• Mobility• Communication

– Command & Control– Inter Team

• ISR– Planning– Execution

• Survivability– Platform – Individual Equipment

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General Observations

• Execute in favorable environment if at all possible• Immediately notify all allies and partners

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Scenario Conclusion

• Assault Force– 32 x NSW

• 16 x Helo Assault Force– 4 x MH-60– MC-130 (refueling)

• 16 x Boat Assault Force– 4 x RHIB– 2 x C-17

ISR-FMV on target

Forward Staging C2 & CommsSupporting elements

Deployment assetsSustainmentISR –Find, Fix, & FinishFollow-on actions with objective shipInfrastructure developmentOther supporting units (DoD, Interagency, State, Canada

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Scenario Discussion (Con’t) Limitations

1. USNORTHCOM has no dedicated force to conduct rapid evolving events

a. Increases time to deployb. More difficult to execute (complex environment, huge distances, rehearsal time)c. Limited joint training for complex missions

2. No official documentation detailing Arctic requirementsa. No USNORTHCOM Arctic Campaign Planb. No SOCNORTH Campaign Support Plan for the Arcticc. Mission Guidance Lettersd. USSOCOM Strategic Planning process

3. Arctic operation/mission are at the seam of 3 x GCCs4. Command and Control Architecture

a. Needs to be formalized and exercised b. Need to establish MOA/MOUs

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Response Option

• Four options for response drives response times– Borrowed alert forces from another GCC– CONUS-based SOF, not on alert– USNORTHCOM dedicated SOF Reponse Force– Forward-staged, rotational forces

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MiscellaneousUNCLASSIFIED

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Where does the assault force come from:

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Discussion/Presentations

Day 3• Research & Development/Science & Technology

– SORDAC– Penn State University-Advanced Research Lab

• Training & Range Opportunities– Alaska Command

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Alaska Command

Questions

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