USSOCOM Fact Book - United States Special Operations Command

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4 Mission and Priorities5 Medal of Honor Recipients6 Special Operations Forces Truths7 Title 10 Responsibilities and Core Activities8 History10 Organizations12 U.S. Army Special Operations Command20 Naval Special Warfare Command28 Air Force Special Operations Command36 Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command42 Subordinate Special Operations CommandsUSSOCOM Fact Book3

USSOCOM Fact Book4USSOCOM Mission Provide fully capable Special Operations Forces to defend the United States and its interests. Synchronize planning of global operations against terrorist networks.Deter, Disrupt & Defeat Terrorist Threats Plan & Conduct Special Operations Emphasize Persistent, Culturally Attuned Engagement Foster Interagency CooperationDevelop & Support our People & Families Focus on Quality Care for our People and Families Train & Educate the Joint Warrior/DiplomatSustain & Modernize the ForceUSSOCOM Priorities Equip the Operator Upgrade SOF Mobility Obtain Persistent Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Systems

KoreaArmy Master Sgt. Ola L. MizeVietnamArmy Capt. Humbert Roque VersaceArmy Capt. Roger H. C. DonlonArmy 1st Lt. Charles Q. WilliamsAir Force Maj. Bernard F. FisherArmy Capt. Ronald E. RayNavy Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class James E. WilliamsArmy 1st Lt. George K. SislerNavy Seaman David G. OuelletArmy Master Sgt. Charles E. Hosking, Jr.Army Sgt. Gordon D. YntemaArmy Staff Sgt. Drew D. DixArmy Sgt. 1st Class Eugene Ashley, Jr.Army Sgt. 1st Class Fred W. ZabitoskyArmy Master Sgt. Roy P. BenavidezAir Force Lt. Col. Joe M. JacksonArmy Specialist 5th Class John J. KedenburgAir Force Col. William A. Jones IIIArmy Staff Sgt. Laszlo RabelAir Force Capt. James P. FlemingArmy Specialist 4th Class Robert D. LawAir Force Airman 1st Class John L. LevitowNavy Lt. j.g. (SEAL) Joseph R. KerreyArmy Sgt. 1st Class William M. BryantArmy Staff Sgt. Robert J. PrudenArmy Staff Sgt. Franklin D. MillerArmy Sgt. Gary B. BeikirchArmy Sgt. 1st Class Gary L. LittrellArmy Sgt. Brian L. BukerArmy Staff Sgt. John R. CavaianiArmy 1st Lt. Loren D. HagenNavy Lt. (SEAL) Thomas R. NorrisNavy Engineman 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael T. ThorntonSomaliaArmy Master Sgt. Gary I. GordonArmy Sgt. 1st Class Randall D. ShughartAfghanistanNavy Lt. (Seal) Michael P. MurphyArmy Staff Sgt. Robert MillerIraqNavy Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael MonsoorUSSOCOM Fact Book5

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Develop special operations strategy, doctrine andtactics Prepare and submit budget proposals for SOF Exercise authority, direction and control over specialoperations expenditures Train assigned forces Conduct specialized courses of instruction Validate requirements Establish requirement priorities Ensure interoperability of equipment and forces Formulate and submit intelligence supportrequirements Monitor Special Operations officers’ promotions,assignments, retention, training and professional militaryeducation Ensure Special Operations Forces’ combat readiness Monitor Special Operations Forces’ preparedness tocarry out assigned missions Develop and acquire special operations-peculiarequipment, materiel, supplies and services Command and control of United States based SpecialOperations Forces Provide Special Operations Forces to the geographiccombatant commanders Activities specified by the President or SECDEFDirect Action: Short-duration strikes and othersmall-scale offensive actions taken to seize, destroy,capture or recover in denied areas.Special Reconnaissance: Acquiring informationconcerning the capabilities, intentions and activities ofan enemy.Unconventional Warfare: Operations conductedby, through and with surrogate forces that are organized,trained, equipped, supported and directed by externalforces.Foreign Internal Defense: Providing training andother assistance to foreign governments and theirmilitaries to enable the foreign government to providefor its country’s national security.Civil Affairs Operations: Activities that establish,maintain or influence relations between U.S. forces andforeign civil authorities and civilian populations tofacilitate U.S. military operations.Counterterrorism: Measures taken to prevent,deter and respond to terrorism.Military Information Support Operations:Operations that provide truthful information to foreignaudiences that influence behavior in support of U.S.military operations.Information Operations: Operations designed toachieve information superiority by adversely affectingenemy information and systems while protecting U.S.information and systems.Counterproliferation of Weapons of MassDestruction: Actions taken to locate, seize, destroy orcapture, recover and render such weapons safe.Security Force Assistance: Unified action byjoint, interagency, intergovernmental andmultinational community to sustain and assisthost nation or regional security forces insupport of a legitimate authority.Counterinsurgency Operations: Thosemilitary, paramilitary, political, economic,psychological and civic actions taken by agovernment to defeat insurgency.Activities Specified by the President or SECDEFUSSOCOM Fact Book7

Two aircraft crashed. Eightservicemembers lost their lives.Fifty-three hostages remained incaptivity. Operation Eagle Claw wasa heroic effort, but this tragic secretmission in April 1980 showed theneed for a joint Special OperationsForce, leading to the creation of U.S.Special Operations Command.The operation occurred at a remotesite in Iran known as Desert One, and itspurpose was to rescue 53 Americanhostages held at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran,Iran. Servicemembers from the Army, Navy, AirForce and Marine Corps were involved in the operation, butmiscommunication, lack of standardized training amongthe branches and other external factors caused the missionfailure, which showed the need for a unified, multi-serviceSpecial Operations command.Special Operations Forces had declined in the 1970sdue to significant SOF funding cuts. Over the next fewyears following the Desert One disaster, Congress begantaking the necessary steps toward building adequate SOF.In 1983, the Senate Armed Services Committee began anin-depth study of the Defense Department, including acareful examination of SOF. When the study wascompleted two years later, the SASC published a review ofits findings entitled, “Defense Organization: The Need forChange.” This document, which analyzed past SOFmissions and future threats, influenced the creation of theGoldwater-Nichols Act of 1986.The Goldwater-Nichols Act caused majorreorganization throughout the DOD. Shortly after itscreation, Congress passed SOF reform bills, calling for aunified combatant command headed by a four-star generalfor all SOF. The final bill, which amended the Goldwater-Maj. Gen.William DonovanOfficeof Coordinatorof Informationpredecessor to theOSS establishedJuly 11, 1941Operation Ivory CoastNov. 20-21, 1970Operation Eagle ClawApril 24, 1980Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada)Key impetus toUSSOCOM establishmentOct. 25, 1983Operation Earnest WillJuly 1987 - Sept. 1989Operation Just CauseDec. 1989 - Jan. 1990USSOCOMformally established asfour-star headquartersApril 16, 1987Operations DesertShield &Desert StormAug. 1990 - Feb. 1991Office of the StrategicServicesJune 13, 1942Joint SpecialOperations CommandOct. 22, 1980Naval Special WarfareCommandApril 16, 1987USSOCOM Fact Book8

Nichols Act, marked the first time Congress mandated apresident create a unified combatant command.The legislation promised to improve SOF significantly.It fostered joint service cooperation, as a single commanderwould promote greater interaction among forces within thesame command. It also provided SOF with its ownresources, allowing the command to modernize forces asneeded. Just days after President Ronald Reagan approvedthe establishment of the new command, the DOD activatedUSSOCOM April 16, 1987, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.Gen. James A. Lindsay was the first commander ofUSSOCOM. Since Lindsay, there have been seven otherUSSOCOM commanders: Generals Carl W. Stiner, WayneA. Downing, Henry H. Shelton, Peter J. Schoomaker,Charles R. Holland, Bryan D. Brown, and the currentcommander, Adm. Eric T. Olson, who has held this positionsince July 2007.Over the years, USSOCOM’s missions andorganizational structure have evolved to meet the needs ofmodern warfare. Originally, the command’s mission was“to prepare SOF to carry out missions and, if directed bythe President or the Secretary of Defense, to plan andconduct special operations.” Commanders refined themission statement over the years to reflect the need and roleof SOF during their periods of time in command. Uponbecoming USSOCOM commander, Olson further refinedthe mission: “Provide fully capable Special OperationsForces to defend the United States and its interests. Planand synchronize operations against terrorist networks.”SOF deployments have greatly increased sinceUSSOCOM’s inception, measured by both personneldeployed and the number of countries visited. Currently,approximately 58,000 servicemembers and civilians workat USSOCOM headquarters or one of its unifiedcommands: U.S. Army Special Operations Command,Naval Special Warfare Command, Air Force SpecialOperations Command, Marine Corps Forces SpecialOperations Command, and Joint Special OperationsCommand, a sub-unified command.Haiti - OperationsSupport DemocracyMay 1991- Sept. 1994Uphold DemocracySept. 1994 - March 1995Restore DemocracyMarch 1995 - UN MissionOperation ProvideComfortIraq 1991Somalia - Operations1992-1995Joint EndeavorDec. 1995 - Dec. 1996Joint GuardDec. 1996 - June 1998Joint ForgeJune 1998 - May 2001Joint GuardianJune 1999 - 2006Allied ForceMarch - June 1999Operation EnduringFreedomAfghanistanOct. 19, 2001 - PresentOperation Iraqi FreedomMarch 19, 2003 - Aug. 31, 2010Operation New DawnAug. 31, 2010 - PresentOperationEnduring FreedomPhilippinesJan. 2002 - PresentU.S. Army SpecialOperations CommandDec. 1, 1989Air Force SpecialOperations CommandMay 22, 1990Operation Noble EagleSept. 11, 2001Marine Corps Forces SpecialOperations CommandFeb. 24, 2006USSOCOM Fact Book9

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U.S. Army Special Operations Command wasestablished Dec. 1, 1989, by the Department of the Armyat Fort Bragg, N.C., as an Army Service ComponentCommand to enhance the readiness of Army SpecialOperations Forces. USASOC is home to the fightingforces that conduct operations across the full spectrum ofwarfare, including unconventional warfare, counterproliferation,direct action, military information supportoperations, special reconnaissance, civil affairs, foreigninternal defense and information operations. USASOCcommands and controls two component subordinatecommands and five component subordinate units, which inturn train and maintain forces for deployment byUSSOCOM to combatant command theaters worldwide.USASOC's two component subordinate commandsare U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Centerand School and the U.S. Army Special Forces Command(Airborne) both headquartered at Fort Bragg. Thecomponent subordinate units include the 75th RangerRegiment, headquartered at Fort Benning, Ga.; 160thSpecial Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at FortCampbell, Ky.; 4th Military Information Support Group(Airborne), 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) and528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations)(Airborne), all at Fort Bragg.The command also provides oversight of ArmyNational Guard Special Forces' readiness, organization,training and employment in coordination with the NationalGuard Bureau and state adjutants general.Known as a world-class Special Operations trainingcenter, the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Centerand School with more than 600 military and civilianinstructors and staff train thousands of agile, adaptive,warrior-focused Soldiers each year. The center and schooltrains and educates civil affairs, military informationsupport operations and Special Forces Soldiers byproviding superior training and education, effective careermanagement and an integrated force-developmentcapability. The center and school leads change based upontoday’s lessons learned by developing innovative doctrineand ultimately providing an operational force with themost relevant advanced skills necessary to make ARSOFan irreplaceable force.Spread among seven Special Forces groups, morethan15,000 Soldiers are ever ready, properly trained,oriented and equipped for today's fight. Special ForcesUSSOCOM Fact Book12

warriors are organized, trained and equipped as the rightforce, fully prepared to support all Geographic CombatantCommanders in a broad spectrum of special operations acrossthe many phases conflict throughout the worldRangers are the masters of special light infantryoperations. This lethal, agile, and flexible force is capable ofexecuting a wide array of complex joint Special Operationsmissions across all types of terrain and against our Nation'stoughest foes. Their capabilities, responsiveness andreliability define the Ranger Regiment as the versatile andadaptive force of choice for missions of high risk andstrategic importance in sensitive or uncertain environments.Special Operations aviation is a unique unit thatorganizes, equips, trains, resources and employs ArmySpecial Operations aviation forces worldwide in support ofcontingency missions and ground force commanders. Knownas the Night Stalkers, these Soldiers are recognized for theirproficiency in nighttime operations. They are highly trainedand ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in allenvironments, anywhere in the world, day or night, withunparalleled precision.The mission of Military Information SupportOperations is to disseminate truthfulinformation to foreign audiences in support ofU.S. policy and national objectives. Usedduring peacetime, contingencies and declaredwar, these activities are not forms of force, butare force multipliers that use nonviolent meansin often violent environments.In support of Special Operations, CivilAffairs units are designed to prevent civilianinterference with tactical operations. Theyprovide vital support by working with civilauthorities and civilian populations in the areaof operations during peace, contingencyoperations and war. These culturally-oriented,linguistically-capable Soldiers play critical roles in globalpeace and stabilization and provide support for ongoingmissions in various countries.The 528th Sustainment Brigade provides logistical,medical and signal services for Army Special OperationsForces worldwide in support of contingency missions. Thisconstantly rotating force ensures Special Operations Forceshave what they need to fight and win.CommanderLt. Gen. John F MulhollandSenior Enlisted AdvisorCommand Sgt. Maj. Parry BaerPeopleTotal Force Approximately 28,500Organization U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School – Fort Bragg, N.C.• 1st Special Warfare Training Group (A)• Special Warfare Medical Group (A) U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) – Fort Bragg, N.C.• 1st Special Forces Group (A)• 3rd Special Forces Group (A)• 5th Special Forces Group (A)• 7th Special Forces Group (A)• 10th Special Forces Group (A)• 19th Special Forces Group (A) (Army National Guard)• 20th Special Forces Group (A) (Army National Guard) 75th Ranger Regiment – Fort Benning, Ga.• 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment• 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment• 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment• Regimental Special Troops Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) – Fort Campbell, Ky. 4th Military Information Support Group (Airborne) – Fort Bragg, N.C. 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) – Fort Bragg, N.C. 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) – Fort Bragg, N.C.USSOCOM Fact Book13

The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special WarfareCenter and School at Fort Bragg, N.C. is one of the Army'spremier education institutions, managing and resourcingprofessional growth for Soldiers in the Army's threedistinct Special Operations branches: Special Forces, CivilAffairs and Military Information Support. The Soldierseducated through SWCS programs are using culturalexpertise and unconventional techniques to serve theircountry in and across the globe. More than anything, theseSoldiers bring integrity, adaptability and regional expertiseto their assignments.On any given day, approximately 2,200 students areenrolled in SWCS training programs. Courses range fromentry-level Special Operations training to advancedwarfighter skills for seasoned officers andnoncommissioned officers. The 1st Special WarfareTraining Group (Airborne) qualifies Soldiers to enter theSpecial Operations community and teaches them advancedtactical skills as they progress through their careers. TheJoint Special Operations Medical TrainingCenter is the central training facility forDepartment of Defense Special Operationscombat medics. Furthermore, SWCS leadsefforts to professionalize the Army's entireSpecial Operations force through theSpecial Forces Warrant Officer Instituteand the David K. Thuma NoncommissionedOfficer Academy. While most courses areconducted at Fort Bragg, SWCS enhancesits training by maintaining facilities andrelationships with outside institutionsacross the country.SWCS offers 41 unique courses to giveSoldiers the skills they need to survive andsucceed on the battlefield.The Army's Special Operations force isonly as good as its education system.Likewise, that education system is only asgood as its instructors. By employing the mostexperienced Soldiers within its units and directorates,SWCS ensures the U.S. Army of tomorrow is equippedwith the very best Special Operations force.SWCS classes and field exercises are led by more than400 military instructors, each of whom has operated in thesame environments or for the same units as their studentswill. Their real-world experience not only enhances thecourses' instruction, but it also fosters camaraderie built onstudents' and instructors' shared sense of duty andcommitment. Annually, one third of the uniformedinstructors rotate back to the operational force from whichthey came in order to maintain operational relevancy inboth SWCS and the Army's Special Operations units.Maintaining continuity and providing unique skill-sets areapproximately 200 expert civilian instructors and staffmembers supporting training, doctrine development andpublishing initiatives.Special Operations Soldiers cannot be mass producedand are elite because only the best are selected. As thegateway to the Special Operations community, SWCSselects only the top candidates to even attempt its rigoroustraining – Soldiers who demonstrate character,commitment, courage and intelligence in their daily livesand professional careers. The Army's Special Operationsunit commanders rely on the SWCS directorates to selectthe strongest candidates and give them the tools to succeedon the battlefield. Using lessons learned from thebattlefield, curriculum and doctrine can be amended in amatter of weeks when gaps in training are identified.Together, these directorates oversee administration andpolicy throughout the community, serving the operationalunits while allowing them to focus on their missions withfull confidence in their Soldiers' preparedness.Army Special Operations Soldiers have a tremendousimpact on today's world, and at each stage in their careers,the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Centerand School is with them to guide and develop their skills.USSOCOM Fact Book14

The Army 1st Special OperationsCommand was redesignated the U.S.Army Special Forces Command(Airborne) Nov. 27, 1990. Themission of USASFC (A) is toorganize, equip, train, validate andprepare Special Forces units todeploy and execute operationalrequirements for the U.S. military’s warfightinggeographical combatant commanders throughout theworld.Within USASFC (A), there are five active componentgroups and two U.S. Army National Guard groups. Eachgroup has three line battalions, a group support battalionand a headquarters company. The companies within theline battalions have six Operational Detachment Alphas,or A-teams, assigned to them. The ODA is the heart andsoul of SF operations.Unlike any other divisional-sized unit, USASFC (A)components are not located in one place, but spread outfrom coast-to-coast and throughout the world.Each Special Forces Group is regionally oriented tosupport one of the warfighting geographic combatantcommanders. Special Forces Soldiers routinely deploy insupport of the GCCs of U.S. European Command, U.S.Pacific Command, U.S. Southern Command, U.S.Central Command and U.S. Africa Command.Special Forces units perform seven doctrinalmissions: unconventional warfare, foreign internaldefense, special reconnaissance, direct action,combating terrorism, counter proliferation andinformation operations. These missions makeSpecial Forces unique in the U.S. militarybecause they are employed throughout thethree stages of the operational continuum:peacetime, conflict and war.Special Forces Command’sunconventional warfare capabilities provide aviable military option for a variety of operationaltaskings that are inappropriate or infeasible forconventional forces, making it the U.S. military’spremier unconventional warfare force.Foreign internal defense operations, SF’s mainpeacetime mission, are designed to help friendlydeveloping nations by working with their military andpolice forces to improve their technical skills,understanding of human rights issues, and to help withhumanitarian and civic action projects.SF units are often required to perform additional, orcollateral, activities outside their primary missions.These collateral activities are coalition warfare/support,combat search and rescue, security assistance,peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, humanitarian deminingand counter-drug operations.On an everyday basis, Soldiers of the U.S. ArmySpecial Forces Command (Airborne) are deployedaround the world, living up to their motto – “DeOppresso Liber,” To Free the Oppressed.USSOCOM Fact Book15

The 75th Ranger Regiment is a lethal,agile, and versatile Special OperationsForce that conducts forcible entryoperations and Special Operations raidsacross the entire spectrum of combat. Asthe Army's elite Special Operationsoffensive infantry force, the regiment iscapable of planning and executingcomplex worldwide operations in highrisk,uncertain, and politically sensitiveareas. It is constantly transforming tomeet future operational requirementswithout sacrificing mission success.The regiment's four battalions,geographically dispersed throughout theU.S., can deploy anywhere in the worldfor no-notice missions. Their capabilitiesinclude direct action raids in limitedvisibility, adverse weather, varied terrainand complex operating environments tocapture/kill designated targets and/orseize terrain and strategic installations.Capable of infiltrating by land, sea orair, the 75th Ranger Regiment is trainedon a wide variety of mobility platformsand operates fully integrated withsupporting agencies and other SpecialOperations Forces as required. The unithas an intensive regimental assessmentand selection process where only the mostexceptional officers, non-commissionedofficers, and Soldiers are selected toserve.From the arduous training to thecontinuous and demanding worldwidedeployments, the Rangers of the 75thRanger Regiment continue to demonstratetheir motto, “Rangers Lead the Way!”USSOCOM Fact Book16

The 160th Special OperationsAviation Regiment (Airborne), whichbegan as an emergency deployment fromFort Campbell, Ky., in 1980, has evolvedinto a highly specialized SOF rotarywing aviation capability. The 160thSOAR (A) is USASOC’s SpecialOperations aviation unit specificallymanned, equipped and trained to provideprecision aviation support to SOFworldwide under any operational andthreat environment. To accomplish itsmission, the 160th SOAR (A) employs aunique combination of sophisticated,highly modified and combat provenaircraft: MH-60/MH-47/MH-6/AH-6.These aircraft, coupled with theregiment’s stringently selected andhighly trained aircrews, provide SOFwith an ever-expanding array of reliableaviation capabilities. This includesprecision rotary wing operations,long-range infiltrations/exfiltration, andperforming in adverse weather and allterrain/environmental conditions. Theregiment can also conduct long-rangeprecision attack and close-air support forground SOF and personnel recovery.USSOCOM Fact Book17

The 4th Military Information SupportGroup (Airborne), formerly 4th PsychologicalOperations Group (Airborne), is a vital part ofthe broad range of U.S. political, military,economic and ideological activities used by theU.S. government to secure national objectives.MISG units develop, produce and disseminateinformation to foreign audiences in support ofU.S. policies and national objectives. Usedduring peacetime, contingency operations anddeclared war, these activities are not a form offorce, but are force multipliers that usenonviolent means in often violentenvironments. Persuading rather thancompelling physically, the MilitaryInformation Support Group rely on logic, fear,desire or other motivational factors to promotespecific emotions, attitudes or behaviors. Theultimate objective of U.S. information supportoperations is to influence target audiences totake actions favorable to the policies of theU.S.USSOCOM Fact Book18

Civil Affairs Soldiers enable military commandersand U.S. ambassadors to build and maximizerelationships with various stakeholders in a local areato meet the objectives of the U.S. government. CivilAffairs teams work with U.S. Department of Statecountry teams, government and non-governmentalorganizations at all levels and with local populations inpeaceful, contingency and hostile environments.Civil Affairs units may rapidly deploy to remoteareas as well as to larger population centers incountries around the world. They help host nationsassess the needs of an area, bring together local andnon-local resources to ensure long-term stability, andultimately degrade and defeat violent extremistorganizations and their ideologies. They may beinvolved in disaster prevention, management andrecovery, and with human and civil infrastructureassistance programs.Civil Affairs Soldiers are Soldiers first, but areadept at working in foreign environments andconversing in one of approximately 20 foreignlanguages with local stakeholders. They may work formonths or years in remote areas of a host nation. Theirlow profile and command structure allow them tosolidify key relationships and processes to address rootcauses of instability that adversely affect the strategicinterests of the United States.Formerly the Sustainment Brigade (SpecialOperations) (Airborne), the 528th SustainmentBrigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) assumedthe lineage of the 528th Support Battalion. As partof the overall Army Special Operations Forceslogistics transformation, the 528th SustainmentBrigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) sets theoperational level logistics conditions to enableARSOF operations worldwide using three SupportOperations Teams, two Special OperationsResuscitation Teams, and five Liaison Elements thaton order deploy to provide logistical command andcontrol capability. The 528th Sustainment Brigade(Special Operations) (Airborne) plans, coordinatesand provides operational and tacticalcommunications for Army Special Operations TaskForce commanders with the 112th SpecialOperations Signal Battalion (Airborne). During thepast few years, the brigade has transformed from aunit that does not typically deploy to one constantlyrotating into the field to make sure SpecialOperations Forces have what they need toaccomplish mission objectives.USSOCOM Fact Book19

Naval Special Warfare Command is themaritime component of U.S. SpecialOperations Command. Established at NavalAmphibious Base, Coronado, Calif., in April1987, NAVSPECWARCOM’s mission is toorganize, train, man, equip, educate, sustain,maintain combat readiness and deploy NavalSpecial Warfare Forces to accomplish SpecialOperations missions worldwide. NSW Forcesoperate independently or in conjunction withother SOF, allied units and coalition forces.A tactical force with strategic impact,NSW mission areas include specialreconnaissance, direct action, unconventionalwarfare, combating terrorism, foreign internaldefense, information warfare, securityassistance, counterdrug operations, personnelrecovery and hydrographic reconnaissance.NSW core training is focused on strategicreconnaissance and direct action — criticalskills needed to combat current and futureterrorists threats.Naval Special Warfare Groups are majorcommands that train, equip and deploycomponents of NSW squadrons to meet theexercise, contingency and wartimerequirements of geographic combatantcommanders, Theater Special OperationsCommands and numbered fleets locatedaround the world. Two logistical support unitsare responsible for equipping the teams, andtwo detachments assume responsibility forindividual, unit and squadron-level training.This allows NSW Operators to maintain astrong operational focus.Naval Special Warfare Combat ServiceSupport Teams provide full-spectrumlogistics support to SEAL (sea, air, land)Teams, Special Boat Teams, NSW TaskGroups/Task Units. Tasking for each CSSTUSSOCOM Fact Book20

includes crisis-action and logistics planning andcoordination, in-theater contracting, small purchase andleasing actions, and comprehensive forward operatingbase support.Naval Special Warfare Center provides basic andadvanced instruction and training in maritime SpecialOperations to U.S. military and government personneland members of select foreign armed forces. NSWC isresponsible for the oversight of all courses that lead toindividual SEAL and Special Warfare Combatant-craftCrewmen qualifications or certifications.Naval Special Warfare Development Group, locatedin Little Creek, Va., manages the test, evaluation anddevelopment of technology applicable to Naval SpecialWarfare forces. The command also develops maritimeground and airborne tactics for Naval Special Warfareand Defense Department-wide application.CommanderRear Admiral Edward G. Winters, IIISenior Enlisted AdvisorForce Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Steven D. StuddardPeopleTotal Force Approximately 8,800Organization Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM) —Coronado, Calif. Naval Special Warfare Group 1 — Coronado, Calif.• LOGSUPPU 1 — Coronado, Calif.• SEAL Teams 1/3/5/7 — Coronado, Calif.• NSWU 1 — Guam• NSWU 3 — ASU Bahrain Naval Special Warfare Group 2 – Little Creek, Va.• LOGSUPPU2 — Little Creek, Va.• SEAL Teams 2/4/8/10 — Little Creek Va.• NSWU 2 — Stuttgart, Germany• NSWU-2 Det. South — Little Creek, Va. Naval Special Warfare Group 3 – Coronado, Calif.• SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 — Pearl City, Hawaii• SEAL Delivery Vehicle Det. 2 Little Creek, Va. Naval Special Warfare Group 4• Special Boat Team 20 — Little Creek, Va.• Special Boat Team 12 — Coronado, Calif.• Special Boat Team 22 – Stennis, Miss.• NAVSCIATTS — Stennis, Miss. Naval Special Warfare Group 11• SEAL Team 17 — Coronado, Calif.• SEAL Team 17 — Little Creek, Va. Naval Special Warfare Center – Coronado, Calif.• Advanced Training Command — Imperial Beach,Calif.• Basic Training Command — Coronado, Calif. Naval Special Warfare Development Group — Dam Neck, Va.USSOCOM Fact Book21

The SEAL Team is the heart of the NSW force; amultipurpose combat force organized and trained toconduct a variety of Special Operations missions in allenvironments. SEALs conduct clandestine missionsinfiltrating their objective areas by fixed- and rotarywingaircraft, Navy surface ships, combatant craft,submarines and ground mobility vehicles.USSOCOM Fact Book22

Special Boat Teams are manned by Special WarfareCombatant-craft Crewmen who operate andmaintain state-of-the-art surface craft to conductcoastal patrol and interdiction and support specialoperations missions. Focusing on infiltration andexfiltration of SEALs and other SOF, SWCCsprovide dedicated rapid mobility in shallow waterareas where larger ships cannot operate. They alsobring to the table a unique SOF capability:Maritime Combatant Craft Aerial Delivery System— the ability to deliver combat craft via parachutedrop.USSOCOM Fact Book23

SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams are speciallytrained SEALs and support personnel who conductundersea operations from SDVs and Dry DeckShelters. DDSs deliver SDVs and specially trainedforces from modified submarines. When teamedwith their host submarines, SDV platforms providethe most clandestine maritime delivery capability inthe world.USSOCOM Fact Book24

Rigid-hull Inflatable BoatThe Rigid-hull Inflatable Boat performs short-rangeinsertion and extraction of SOF, limited coastal patrol,and interdiction and reconnaissance. The RHIB is a highperformance combatant craft that is air transportable byC-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster and C-130 Herculesaircraft, and it can be air dropped from C-130 or largermilitary aircraft. Each craft is manned by a crew of threeSpecial Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen and cancarry eight SOF personnel.MK V Special Operations CraftThe MK V Special Operations Craft performsmedium-range infiltration and extraction of SOF,limited coastal patrol and interdiction in lowto medium threat environments. The MK VSOC is a high-performance combatant craft sizedto permit air deployment aboard C-5 aircraft. Eachcraft is manned by a crew of five Special WarfareCombatant-craft Crewmen and can carry 16 SOFpersonnel.Special Operations Craft-RiverineThe Special Operations Craft-Riverine performsshort-range insertion and extraction of SOF inriverine and littoral environments. The SOC-R is ahigh-performance craft sized to permit air transportaboard C-130 or larger military aircraft. Each craft ismanned by a crew of four Special WarfareCombatant-craft Crewmen and can carry eight SOFpersonnel.USSOCOM Fact Book25

Mine Resistant/Ambush ProtectedVehicleThe SOCOM employed MRAP is avehicle with similar handling capabilities as theGMV-N but has been specifically developed toprotect the crew from explosive events. The v-hull isdesigned to survive direct blasts and prevent the crewinside from suffering severe injuries. The weaponssystem in the turret is remote-operated from insidethe cabin, eliminating the exposed gunner position.The MRAP can carry up to eight combat-readyOperators.Ground Mobility Vehicle – NavyThe GMV-N is a SEAL-specific humvee thatemploys a multitude of weapons and is fitted with amodular armor kit. Depending on the mission, armorcan be added or removed to either increase speed andmaneuverability or increase protection. The GMV-Ncan carry up to five Operators into some of the harshestterrain in the world. Every member of a SEAL teamcompletes an intensive, four-week tactical groundMine Resistant/Ambush Protected Vehiclemobility training course where they learn the limitationsof the vehicle, basic maintenance and tactical driving skillsets.Ground Mobility Vehicle – NavyUSSOCOM Fact Book26

SEAL Delivery VehicleSEAL Delivery VehicleThe MK VIII MOD 1 SEAL Delivery Vehicle is a freefloodingwet submersible designed for undersea specialoperations including direct action, hydrographicreconnaissance and insertion/extraction of SEALs. It uses aDoppler Navigation Sonar and forward-looking obstacleavoidance sonar to navigate through the water and anunderwater telephone with secure, unsecure and datamodes to communicate. SDVs can be inserted into thewater via a DDS-equipped submarine, MK V SOC orsurface ships.MK VIII MOD SEAL Delivery Vehicle and DryDeck ShelterThe Dry Deck Shelter is a floodable pressure vesselcarried by a host submarine for undersea operations. AMK VIII MOD SEAL DeliveryVehicle and Dry Deck Shelterminimum crew of six Navy divers operates the controls forflooding, draining and pressurizing the DDS. The hostsubmarine provides the DDS with electrical powerand high-pressure air. The DDS can be used tolaunch and recover a SEAL Delivery Vehicle orto conduct mass swimmer lock-out/lock-inoperations utilizing SEALs and CombatRubber Raiding Craft. The divers who operatethe DDS control assist in all launch andrecovery operations.USSOCOM Fact Book27

Air Force Special Operations Command,located at Hurlburt Field, Fla., wasestablished May 22, 1990. AFSOC, the aircomponent to USSOCOM, presents combatreadyAir Force Special Operations Forces toconduct and support global specialoperations missions. AFSOF is comprised ofuniquely trained active duty, Air ForceReserve and Air National Guard personnel.The total force is rapidly deployable andequipped with highly specialized andmodified aircraft. AFSOC Air Commandosdeliver the Nation’s specialized airpower toprovide SOF mobility, intelligence support,forward presence and engagement withcoalition partners.AFSOC missions include close-airsupport/precision firepower, infiltration,exfiltration, resupply, aerial refueling,air/ground interface (Battlefield Airmen),aviation foreign internal defense,intelligence support to special operations(including unmanned aerial surveillance),information operations and airborne radioand television broadcast for militaryinformation support operations.CommanderLt. Gen. Donald C. WursterSenior Enlisted AdvisorCommand Chief Master Sergeant Michael P. GilbertPeopleTotal Force Approximately 16,000Organization 23rd Air Force – Hurlburt Field, Fla. 1st Special Operations Wing – Hurlburt Field, Fla.• AC-130U• CV-22• MC-130H/P 27th Special Operations Wing – Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.• MC-130W• MQ-1• AC-130H 352nd Special Operations Group — RAF Mildenhall, England• MC-130H• MC-130P 353rd Special Operations Group — Kadena Air Base, Japan• MC-130H• MC-130P 720th Special Tactics Group — Hurlburt Field, Fla, Air Force Special Operations Training Center — Hurlburt Field, Fla.USSOCOM Fact Book29

Special Tactics, AFSOC’sBattlefield Airmen, is composed ofcombat control, pararescue, specialoperations weather and Tactical AirControl Party personnel capable ofproviding terminal guidance forweapons, control of assault zoneaircraft, fire support, mission planning,medical and weather support. SpecialTactics Teams frequently operate withNavy SEALs, Army Rangers andSpecial Forces in direct action, airfieldseizure and personnel recoverymissions in hostile territory.USSOCOM Fact Book30

The Air Force Special Operations Training Center is aprimary support unit of AFSOC. Its mission is to recruit,assess, select, indoctrinate, train and educate AirCommandos, other Special Operations Forces and SOFenablers. These missions include aircrew qualification,special tactics, Combat Aviation Advisor and coursesconducted at the Air Force Special Operations School.The Air Force Special Operations School offersfocused education in irregular warfare, regional studiesand cultural awareness, Special Operations Forcesprofessional development to educate Air Commandos, thespecial operations community, services and other U.S.government agencies.The Special Tactics Training Squadron conductsadvanced skills training for Combat Controllers,Pararescuemen and Special Tactics officers before theydepart for operational special tactics squadrons. The STTSmission will expand to train Special OperationsWeathermen, medical field skills, advanced skills forSpecial Operations Security Forces, integrated combatskills for Combat Aviation Advisors, and Tactical AirControl Party Airmen.In July 2009, STTS established STTS Det 1 in Yuma,Ariz., to execute the Special Operations Tactical AirControl Course, recently transferred from U.S. ArmySpecial Operations Command to AFSOC to conduct Jointtraining for SOCOM’s Terminal Attack Controllers.The 19th Special Operations Squadron is an advancedweapons instruction and mission rehearsal unit and isAFSOC’s formal school for AC-130U, PC-12, U-28, MC-130E and Combat Aviation Advisors for UH-1, MI-17,and C-130E. The squadron teaches more than 1,100classes in 70 distinct syllabi of instruction for initialmission qualification, instructor upgrade and continuationrefresher training. As a Total Force Initiative, the 5thSpecial Operations Squadron (Air Force Reserve) has anassociate relationship with the 19th SOS with the missionof providing basic aircrew training for U-28 and CombatAviation Advisor aircrews.A total force integration effort, the AFSOTC bringstogether the strengths of active duty, Reserve, Air NationalGuard, Department of Defense civilians and contractpersonnel to form an integrated education team dedicatedto training new Air Commandos and building warriorethos to navigate uncertain times ahead.AFSOTC's newest squadron, the 371st SpecialOperations Combat Training Squadron, was activatedAugust 13, 2010.The 371st SOCTS is the AFSOC formal school forSmall Unmanned Aerial Systems and Irregular Warfareintegrated skills training. The squadron is responsible forspecialized training of combat-ready, joint SpecialOperations Forces and is AFSOC's designated agent for allrecruiting, assessment, and selection of Battlefield Airmenand designated SOF aircrew members. The 371st SOCTSalso conducts distributed mission operations and missionrehearsal in support of joint and multinational users andprovides training support to all AFSOTC-gained units.The unit's main base is Hurlburt Field, Fla., with theSUAS Joint Flight Training Unit located at Navy OutlyingLanding Field Choctaw, Fla.The 551st Special Operations Squadron is AFSOC’sFormal Training Unit at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Theunit provides aircrew training at AFSOC’s newest base toinclude AC-130H, M-28, Q-200, Dornier 328, MC-130Wand MQ-1/9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft.The 745th Special Operations Squadron is a jointforce provider for Air Force Special Operations Commandand U.S. Special Operations Command. This flyingtraining unit provides initial and mission qualificationtraining for Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force, and U.S.Navy aircrew in the RC-26 aircraft. The 745th SOSorganizes, trains and equips personnel for globaldeployments providing regional commanders with ahighly capable Search and Rescue platform and immediateshort-range airlift.USSOCOM Fact Book31

Combat Aviation Advisors of the 6thSpecial Operations Squadron help U.S.global partners to wield airpower. These AirCommandos are culturally savvy,linguistically trained and politically astuteAirmen, hand selected for their skill,maturity and professionalism to adviseforeign forces in rotary and fixed-wingcombat aviation, maintenance, base support,security and tactics. They execute theaviation foreign internal defense mission and trainforeign units in specialized and unconventional tactics.The 6th SOS is the only combat aviation advisory unit inDoD. Every day, the 6th SOS has Air Commandosdeployed to any given theater of the globe and maintainsinstructor qualifications on numerous foreign-madeaircraft.Combat Controllers are SpecialOperators and certified air traffic controllerswho are an integral part of the Air ForceBattlefield Airmen team. Their motto, “FirstThere,” indicates the CCT commitment to bethe first deployed into restrictedenvironments by air, land or sea to establishassault zones. The assault zone is a drop zonefor parachute operations, a landing zone forfixed-wing or helicopter operations, or an extraction zonefor low altitude resupply. They set up navigational aidequipment anywhere in the world to guide aircraft forlanding on austere runways without the benefit of a toweror large communications system. CCT also control airattacks from all military services aircraft. In addition,CCT provide vital command and control, intelligencegathering, surveying capabilities, limited weatherobservations and are qualified in demolition to clearhazards and obstructions from runways and landing zones.USSOCOM Fact Book32

Pararescuemen, commonly known as PJs,are the only Defense Department specialtyspecifically trained and equipped to conductconventional and unconventional recoveryoperations. A PJ’s primary function is as apersonnel recovery specialist with emergencytrauma medical capabilities in humanitarianand combat environments. They deploy in anyavailable manner, from any available platform,to include air-land-sea tactics, into restrictedenvironments to contact, authenticate, extract,treat, stabilize and evacuate injured personnel, whileacting in an enemy-evading, recovery role. PJs participatein combat search and rescue, peacetime search and rescue,protection of the president of the United States, andconduct other operations at the commander’s direction.Their motto, “That Others May Live,” reaffirms thePararescueman’s commitment to saving lives and selfsacrifice.Special Operations Weathermen are AirForce weather technicians with uniquetraining to operate in hostile or deniedterritory. They gather, assess, and interpretweather and environmental intelligence fromforward deployed locations, working withSpecial Operations Forces. They collectweather, river, snow, ocean, and terrainintelligence, assist mission planning, generateaccurate mission-tailored target and route forecasts insupport of global special operations and train joint forcemembers and coalition partners to take and communicatelimited weather observations. Additionally, SpecialOperations Weathermen conduct special reconnaissance,collect upper air data, organize, establish and maintainweather data reporting networks, determinehost nation meteorological capabilities andtrain foreign national forces. Every SpecialOperations Forces mission is planned usingthe intelligence and coordination of SpecialOperations Weathermen.USSOCOM Fact Book33

AC-130H/UPrimary function: Close-air support, air interdiction and force protection.Speed: 300 mph. Dimensions: Wingspan 132 ft. 7 in.; length 97 ft. 9 in.; height38 ft. 6 in. Range: 1,496 mph; unlimited with air refueling. Armament: AC-130H, 20 mm Vulcan cannons, 40 mm Bofors cannon and 105 mm Howitzer.AC-130U, 30 mm Bushmaster cannon replacing 25 mm Gatling gun, 40 mmBofors cannon and 105 mm cannon. Crew: AC-130H, 14, and AC-130U, 13.CV-22A OspreyPrimary function: Special Operations Forces longrange infiltration,exfiltration and re-supply. Speed: 277 mph (cruising speed). Dimensions:Wingspan 84 ft. 7 in.; length 57 ft. 4 in; height 22 ft. 1 in.; rotary diameter, 38ft. Range: 2,100 miles with internalauxiliary fuel tanks and no refueling.Crew: Four.EC-130J Commando SoloPrimary function: Psychological and information operations.Dimensions: Wingspan 132 ft. 6 in.; length 97 ft.; height 38 ft. 8 in. Speed:335 mph. Range: 2,300 miles unrefueled. Crew: Ten.MC-130E/H Combat TalonPrimary function: Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of specialoperations forces. Speed: 300 mph. Dimensions: Wingspan 132 ft. 7 in.;length MC-130E 100 ft. 10 in.; MC-130H 99 ft. 9 in.; height 38 ft. 6 in. Range:2,700 miles unrefueled. Crew: MC-130E, nine; MC-130H, seven.MC-130P Combat ShadowPrimary function: Air refueling special operations forces helicopters.Speed: 289 mph. Dimensions: Wingspan 132 ft. 7 in.; length 98 ft. 9 in.;height 38 ft. 6 in. Range: 4,000 miles unrefueled. Crew: EightUSSOCOM Fact Book34

MC-130W Combat SpearPrimary function: Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of SpecialOperations Forces; in-flight refueling of special operations vertical liftaircraft. Speed: 300 mph. Dimensions: Wingspan 132 ft. 7 in.; length 98 ft. 9in.; height 38 ft. 6 in. Range: 1,208 miles unrefueled. Crew: Seven.U-28APrimary function: Provide suppport to Special Operations Forces.Speed: 359 mph. Dimensions: Wingspan 57 ft. 11 in.; length 46 ft. 8 in.;height 14 ft. 4 in. Range: 350, 1,700 miles 350ER 2,700 miles. Crew: Two.Battlefield Air Targeting Micro Air Vehicle (BATMAV)Primary function: Provides day/night reconnaissance and surveillancewith low altitude operation. Speed: 20-40 mph.Dimensions: Wingspan 28.5inches; length 10 inches. Operating altitude: 150 to 500 feet.MQ-1 PredatorPrimary function: Armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and targetacquisition. Speed: Up to 135 mph. Dimensions: Wingspan 48 ft. 7 in.; length27 ft.; height 6 ft. 9 in. Range: 454 miles. Armament: AGM-114 Hellfiremissiles.MQ-9 ReaperPrimary function: Unmanned hunter/killer weapon system.Speed: 230 mph. Dimensions: Wingspan 66 ft.; length 36 ft.; height12.5 ft. Range: 3,682 miles. Armament: AGM-114 Hellfiremissiles; GBU-12, GBU-38 JDAM. Crew: Pilot and sensoroperator on the ground.USSOCOM Fact Book35

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Headquartered at Camp Lejeune, N.C.,the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, SpecialOperations Command is the Marine Corpscomponent of U.S. Special OperationsCommand. MARSOC trains, organizes,equips, and, when directed by theCommander USSOCOM, deploys taskorganized, scalable and responsive MarineCorps Special Operations Forces worldwidein support of combatant commanders andother agencies. MARSOC teams consistentlycreate strategic impacts because its Marinesare armed with regionally focused languageskills, cultural understanding, and state-ofthe-artequipment.In October 2005, the Secretary of Defensedirected the Marine Corps to form a servicecomponent of USSOCOM and beginproviding forces to the commander ofUSSOCOM. Formally established Feb. 24,2006, MARSOC’s initial manpowerauthorization is approximately 2,600Marines, Sailors and civilian employees.MARSOC includes three subordinatecommands: the Marine Special OperationsRegiment, Marine Special OperationsSupport Group, and the Marine SpecialOperations School.MARSOC performs the followingmissions:• Direct Action• Special Reconnaissance• Security Force Assistance• Counterinsurgency• Foreign Internal Defense• Counterterrorism• Information Operations• Civil Affairs• Military Support Operations• Counter Proliferation OperationsCommanderMaj. Gen. Paul E. LefebvreSenior Enlisted AdvisorSergeant Major Richard W. AshtonPeopleTotal Force Approximately 2,600Organization The Marine Special Operations Regiment — Camp Lejeune, N.C.• 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion — Camp Pendleton, Calif.• 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion — Camp Lejeune, N.C.• 3d Marine Special Operations Battalion — Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marine Special Operations Support Group — Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marine Special Operations Intelligence Battalion — Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marine Special Operations School — Camp Lejuene, N.C.USSOCOM Fact Book37

MARSOC PersonnelMARSOC is responsible for finding the appropriatepersonnel for service in three groups: Critical SkillsOperators, Direct Combat Support and Combat ServiceSupport.Critical Skills OperatorCritical Skills Operators are the front line Marinesand Sailors who are complex problem solvers able tooperate across the full spectrum of Special Operations insmall teams under ambiguous, sometimes austere,environments while maintaining a high level ofmental flexibility and physical endurance.CSOs exemplify the Marine Corps’ concepts ofDistributed Operations and the StrategicCorporal.Direct Combat SupportDirect Combat Support are those Marineswho have specialized training in areasincluding electronic intelligence,USSOCOM Fact Book38

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communications, logistics, combat skills, fire support,and explosive ordnance disposal. These Marines deployalongside Marine Special Operations Teams and DCSpersonnel must meet the same screening requirements asCritical Skill Operators.Combat Service SupportCombat Service Support personnel are the activedutyand Reserve Marines who fill Combat ServiceSupport billets within MARSOC. These billets rangefrom administrative support to motor transportmaintenance.MARSOC Command and ControlThe wide range of missions assigned to MarineSpecial Operations Forces requires a high level offlexibility and the ability to operate within variouscommand structures. MARSOF can workunilaterally under the Marine Special OperationsRegiment, as part of a Joint Special OperationsTask Force, as a Special Operations Task Forceor as part of a Marine Corps component of aJoint Task Force.MARSOC UnitsMarine Special Operations RegimentThe Marine Special Operations Regiment islocated at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and consists of aHeadquarters Company and three Marine SpecialOperations Battalions. The MSOR, which is led by aMarine Corps colonel, provides tailored militarycombat-skills training and advisor support for identifiedforeign forces in order to enhance their tacticalcapabilities and to prepare the environment as directedby USSOCOM as well as the capability to form thenucleus of a Joint Special Operations Task Force.Marines and Sailors of the MSOR train, advise andassist friendly host nation forces - including naval andmaritime military and paramilitary forces - to enablethem to support their government’s internal security andstability, to counter subversion and to reduce the risk ofviolence from internal and external threats. MSORdeployments are coordinated by MARSOC, throughUSSOCOM, in accordance with engagement prioritiesfor overseas contingency operations.Marine Special Operations BattalionThere are three Marine Special OperationsBattalions within the MSOR: 1st MSOB located atCamp Pendleton, Calif., and 2d and 3d MSOBs locatedat Camp Lejeune, N.C. Each MSOB is commanded bya Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and organized,trained and equipped to deploy for worldwide missionsas directed by MARSOC. MSOBs are comprised ofMarine Special Operations Companies and taskorganizedwith personnel uniquely skilled in specialUSSOCOM Fact Book40

equipment support, intelligence and fire support.Marine Special Operations CompanyEach Marine Special Operations Company iscommanded by a Marine Corps Major and is capable ofdeploying task-organized expeditionary SpecialOperations Forces to conduct special reconnaissance anddirect action missions in support of the geographiccombatant commanders. When deployed, each MSOC isaugmented with a direct intelligence and enablercapability. The enabling capabilities include a vast arrayof support ranging from explosive ordnance disposal tomilitary dog handlers.Marine Special Operations TeamEach Marine Special Operations Team is comprisedof 14 Marines and is the backbone of MARSOF. AnMSOT can conduct operations in remote areas andaustere environments for extended periods with minimalexternal direction and support. The teams help develop,organize, equip, train, and advise or direct indigenousforces. MSOTs conduct Foreign Internal Defense andother SOF disciplines tasked to MARSOC. Each teamhas a robust language capability and direct intelligencelinks to the MSOC as well as access to the company’senabling assets.Marine Special Operations Support GroupThe Marine Special Operations Support Group islead by a Marine Corps Colonel and is tasked to train,equip, structure, and provide speciallyqualified Marine forces, includingoperational logistics, intelligence, MilitaryWorking Dogs, Firepower Control Teamsand communications support in order tosustain worldwide special operationsmissions.Marine Special OperationsIntelligence BattalionOn Jan. 1, 2010, MARSOC establishedMarine Special Operations IntelligenceBattalion. The newly created battalion wasformed to train, sustain, maintain combatreadiness and provide task-organizedintelligence support at all operationallevels in order to support MARSOF.Marine Special Operations SchoolThe Marine Special Operations Schoolscreens, assesses, selects, and trainsMarines and Sailors for special operationsassignments in MARSOC; provides bothinitial and advanced individual specialoperations training; plans and executesthe component exercise program; andserves as MARSOC’s training andeducation proponent in support ofMARSOC requirements. MSOS isheaded by a Marine Corps colonel.MSOS is tasked to:• Conduct a formal Assessment andSelection program• Conduct an entry-level special operationstraining course to train NCOs and company gradeofficers for special operations assignments withinMARSOC• Conduct MARSOC’s component exerciseprogram• Conduct special operations advanced andspecialty courses• Develop MARSOF standards, doctrine andTactics, Techniques and Procedures• Serve as MARSOC’s proponent for weapons andoptics requirements• Serve as the training and education link betweenMARSOC, USMC and SOCOM component SOF schoolsto support MARSOC requirements• Conduct Advanced Linguist Courses• Conduct Advanced Skill CoursesUSSOCOM Fact Book41

Established in 1980, the JointSpecial Operations Command is a subunifiedcommand of USSOCOM. JSOCprovides a joint headquarters to studySpecial Operations requirements, ensuresinteroperability and equipmentstandardization, develops joint Special Operations plansand tactics, and conducts joint Special Operationsexercises and training.The Joint Special OperationsUniversity resides at MacDill Air ForceBase, Fla. JSOU’s mission is to educateSpecial Operations Forces executive,senior and intermediate leaders andselected other national and internationalsecurity decision-makers, both military and civilian,through teaching, research and outreach in thescience and art of Joint SpecialOperations.As a Joint Subordinate Commandwithin USSOCOM, the Joint MilitaryInformation Support Command servesas a key contributor in the Department ofDefense’s ongoing efforts to erode adversary power, willand influence. JMISC is responsible to plan, coordinate,integrate, and when directed, execute trans-regionalinfluence over relevant populations in support ofCombatant Commands, the Secretary of Defense andselect government agencies to achieve operational,strategic and national goals and objectives. The seniorlevelmilitary and DOD civilians who compose theorganization include: military information supportoperations specialists, strategic and regional intelligenceanalysts, behavioral scientists, cultural advisors, mediaexperts and multi-media product developers. The JMISCprovides the DOD with a dynamic, responsive andsophisticated influence capability that plans, coordinatesand manages the execution of trans-regional informationprograms in support of the DOD and regional securityobjectives.Theater Special Operations CommandsJoint Forces Command and each geographiccombatant command have a Special Operationscomponent commander just like it has a ground, air andnaval component commander. The commander of theTheater Special Operations Command is responsible forcommanding all SOF in the theater to which the TSOC isassigned. The TSOC is a sub-unified command of thegeographic combatant command and the source ofexpertise in all areas of Special Operations. The TSOCprovides the geographic combatant commanders with aseparate element to plan and control joint SOF in theirtheaters.SOCCENTSpecial Operations Command Central, headquarteredat MacDill Air Force Base, is a subordinate unifiedcommand of U.S. Central Command. It is responsible forplanning Special Operations throughout theUSCENTCOM area of responsibility, planning andconducting peacetime joint/combined Special Operationstraining exercises and orchestrating command andcontrol of peacetime and wartime Special Operations asdirected. SOCCENT exercises operational control ofassigned and attached SOF that deploy for the executionof training and for operational missions in theUSCENTCOM AOR as directed by the USCENTCOMcommander. When directed by the USCENTCOMcommander, SOCCENT forms a JSOTF.SOCEURSpecial Operations Command Europe headquarters islocated at Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. SOCEURis a subordinate unified command of U.S. EuropeanCommand exercising operational control of theaterArmy, Navy and Air Force Special Operations Forces.SOCEUR is responsible to the commander ofUSEUCOM and the Supreme Allied Commander Europefor SOF readiness, targeting, exercises, plans, joint andcombined training, NATO/partnership activities andexecution of counterterrorism, peacetime andcontingency operations.SOCPACSpecial Operations Command Pacific, located atCamp H. M. Smith, Oahu, Hawaii, is a sub-unifiedcommand and serves as the SOF component commandfor the U.S. Pacific Command. The AOR of thecommander in chief, USPACOM, represents the largestgeographic area of the unified commands. It covers morethan half of the Earth’s surface with approximately 105USSOCOM Fact Book42

million square miles and nearly 60 percent of the world’spopulation. Distance, diversity, and change characterizethe USPACOM AOR.SOCKORSpecial Operations Command Korea, located atCamp Kim in Yongsan, Korea, is the Theater SOCresponsible for Special Operations on the Koreanpeninsula and, when established, the Korean Theater ofOperations. The KTO and SOCKOR exist because therehas never been a peace treaty officially ending theKorean War. Military forces on the Korean Peninsulamaintain a heightened state of readiness to respond tothe resumption of hostilities with little or no warning.SOCJFCOMSpecial Operations Command - Joint ForcesCommand is a sub-unified command of USJFCOM andis unique among all other Theater Special OperationsCommands assigned to combatant commanders.SOCJFCOM is DOD’s primary joint Special OperationsForces trainer and integrator. SOCJFCOM’s mission isto train conventional and Special Operations joint forcecommanders and their staffs in the employment of SOFfocusing on full integration of SOF and conventionalforces in planning and execution to enhance war-fightingreadiness. Located in Norfolk, Va., SOCJFCOMsupports all geographic combatant commanders and jointtask forces in Overseas Contingency Operations, as wellas Combined Joint Special Operations Task Forces insupport of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation IraqiFreedom, Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, Theater SOCsand the U.S. Special Operations Command Center forSpecial Operations.SOCSOUTHA subordinate unified command of U.S. SouthernCommand, SOCSOUTH is the theater functionalcomponent for Special Operations. It is responsible forall Special Operations Forces in the theater to includecivil affairs and military information operations forces.SOCSOUTH’s headquarters is located at Homestead AirReserve Base, Fla. SOCSOUTH is composed of a jointheadquarters, three permanently assigned operationalunits and CONUS-based deployed SOF. The commandmanages more than 200 SOF deployments per year withan average of 42 missions in 26 countries at any time.SOCAFRICAOn October 1, 2008, SOCAFRICA was establishedas U.S. Africa Command’s Theater Special OperationsCommand — a functional, sub-unified specialoperations command for Africa. SOCAFRICAcontributes to U.S. Africa Command’s mission throughthe application of the full spectrum of special operationsforces capabilities including civil affairs, informationoperations, theater security cooperation, crisis response,and campaign planning.USSOCOM Fact Book43