Story by Sgt. Monique ONeill and Spc. Therese Prats, SOCEUR.

U.S. Army Green Berets and U.S. Naval Special Warfare Operators trained with NATO allies and partners as they reached initial operational capabilities for the NATO Response Force during Black Swan 21, May 3-May 14, 2021.

Black Swan 21 is an annual Hungarian-led multinational special operations forces exercise, which demonstrates peer-to-peer deterrence and resiliency of alliances and partnerships in Europe. SOF from Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United States participated this year.

“I think this is the manifestation of everything that is great about NATO, several NATO allies coming together and even non-NATO partners coming together to share their tactics, techniques, procedures, and lessons learned so that we’re all better.”

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David H. Tabor, the commanding general of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe.

In Szolnok, Hungary, the Green Berets trained alongside Austrian, Croatian, Hungarian, Slovakian, and Slovenian SOF on aerial vehicle interdiction, Close Quarters Battle (CQB), Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System (FRIES), and special reconnaissance.

“It’s been great training together with a variety of countries. Every day we’ve gotten stronger and more fluid, and we’re confident to accomplish missions either side by side or as individual units.”

U.S. Army Green Beret team leader

In Budapest, Hungarian SOF trained with Naval Special Warfare operators on Special Operations Craft Riverines (SOC-R) on Europe’s second longest river, the Danube. Meanwhile, Croatia hosted maritime training with Hungary and the U.S. in the Adriatic Sea.

Black Swan 21 helped Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia qualify for the initial air, land, maritime operational capabilities required for the Regional Special Operations Component Command (R-SOCC), a Hungarian-led, temporary deployable command element for Special Forces. The command will boost the ability of each nation to effectively employ their special operations forces and will enable each nation to contribute separately, while benefiting from an integrated R-SOCC structure when activated for deployment.

“It’s important to see how NATO members can work seamlessly together, can support each other, and act well together to be a really credible deterrent to any adversaries that face us.”

Brigadier General Rob Stephenson, Acting Commander of NATO Special Operations Headquarters

The R-SOCC is expected to be fully functional by December 2024 and will act as the NATO Response Force in 2025.

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Photo: A Hungarian Special Operations Forces operator conducts training during an infiltration and exfiltration exercise on the Danube River during Black Swan, May 6, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Therese Prats, SOCEUR)

Story: This article by Sgt. Monique ONeill and Spc. Therese Prats of the U.S. Special Operations Command Europe was originally published on May 14, 2021 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

This video depicts scenes from the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) course held in Greece in April 2021. The course is designed to improve the accuracy of snipers engaging stable or moving targets from land, air, and naval vessels.

The video was produced by Sgt. Patrik Orcutt of the U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). The video was originally posted on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service on June 16, 2021. DVIDS content is in the public domain. Video is two minutes long.

Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y3IwL8zBsk

Story by Sgt. Monique ONeill, SOCEUR.

CRETE, Greece – Naval special operations forces from the Greek Underwater Demolition Team (DYK), Cypriot Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), and U.S. Navy Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCC) joined forces to conduct a maritime exercise in Souda Bay, Greece, January 11-29.

The tri-lateral Special Operations Forces (SOF) exercise, which was designed to better enable global operations, included Over the Beach (OTB), Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), and Small Boat Interdiction (SBI).

“These exercises help keep us sharp, prepared, and consistent. We are able to communicate and integrate fluidly when we train together on a regular basis,” said the U.S. Naval SWCC team leader.

The United States, Greece, NATO allies and partners, continuously train together in the European theater operations to build trust, improve levels of cooperation and combined capabilities. The integration of the Republic of Cyprus is a demonstration of NATO’s commitment to increasing interoperability with regional partners in an effort to promote collective defense and stability.

“The inclusion of Cypriot forces created an opportunity to expand capabilities and relationships with partner nations in the neighboring area. We are all strong nations individually, but we can grow stronger by working collectively, in the context of joint military training activities,” said Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Greek Minister of National Defense. “It’s imperative to understand that we can always learn and grow stronger by cross-training together with our partners and allies.”

Although Cyprus has been divided since 1974, the country has a unified military and training objectives.

“We know the importance of joint exercises like this and hope to work closely with partners in the future in order to promote peace and stability in our region,” said Charalambos Petrides, Minister of Defense of Cyprus.

To enhance the VBSS training experience for the SOF participants, the Hellenic Navy added a frigate, HS Kanaris, from their fleet to the exercise.

“This training was very useful for our ship and our crew. We are very proud to have the Special Forces from all three countries on board,” said Lieutenant Commander George Lykousas, member of the Hellenic Navy.

Throughout the entirety of the exercise, the SOF components used Combatant craft-assaults (CCAs) assigned to Special Operations Command Africa.

“The collective efforts enabling global operations increase interoperability in a maritime environment, alongside our NATO allies and partners, helping increase security and stability in the region,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David Tabor. “We appreciate having this opportunity to build upon already strong relationships while also improving cooperation between Special Operations Command Africa and Special Operations Command Europe.”

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Photo By Sgt. Monique ONeill , SOCEUR, January 2021.

This article is a repost of “Greece, Cyprus and the U.S. join forces for naval SOF exercise in the Mediterranean Sea”, by Sgt. Monique ONeill, U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, January 29, 2021. View original article here. Articles posted by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) are in the public domain. View additional photos of the training by Sgt. ONeill posted on DVIDS.

An additional story on the same exercise was posted by The National Herald (Greece), Feb 2, 2021. Has some good photos.

By Pat Carty.

Following an official “Freedom of Information” request made to the British Government in December 2020, the Ministry of Defence has released the total number of British Armed Forces personnel, who have lost their lives in the Brecon Beacons in Wales. This is an area used for generations by Special Forces and in particular for selection, including the notorious “Fan Dance” tests.

For those unaware, the “Fan Dance” is a 15-mile (24 km) load-bearing March, which takes place at the end of the first week of SF selection. The candidates climb “Pen y Fan” – the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons. Then descend the far side; known as “Jacob’s Ladder”. The rest of the route follows the old Roman road before going back on itself for the return leg. Candidates are given 4 hours 10 minutes to complete the route, regardless of the weather. The Fan Dance is the world’s oldest SF test and used as the first major indicator to show if a candidate has the physical and mental aptitude to complete the legendary SF Selection course.

The Freedom of Information request came from a member of the public. It followed discussions with local councilors and politicians about erecting a memorial, remembering service personnel who had lost their lives whilst training in the Beacons. One of the causalities, having been a close friend, was killed during Special Force selection.

Following the information request, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that in the period they hold records for; 1 January 1984 to 31 December 2019 (the last full year available), twenty UK armed forces personnel have died in the Brecon Beacons. I should add that those figures include all tri-Service regular personnel killed, both on, and off duty, whilst the data for reserve troops only shows those killed whilst on duty.

The Defence Ministry also confirmed that the numbers were for all causes of death: accidents, natural causes, or coroner confirmed suicide. Plus open verdicts where the cause was not known.

Photo: “Fan Dance” by Avalanche Endurance Events.

Civilians can experience a civilian version of the Fan Dance test, especially those whose intention is to apply for future SF selection, which is run on similar lines to SF selection tests, but by former SF personnel.

Photo: “Fan Dance” by Avalanche Endurance Events

Held in both summer and winter, again similar to SF selection, these civilian versions of the “The Fan Dance” include both “load-bearing” and “clean fatigue” categories and are also held during both day and night. The “Fan Dance Woodhouse Edition” even copies the original post-WWII Fan Dance and includes three ascents of Pen y Fan. If you are ultra keen, there is even the 50km “Blade Runner Ultra Series”, again staged in the area used for SF selection, and utilising many iconic and legendary landmarks and features, used in the world-famous SAS Aptitude phase.

More information on the various “Fan Dance” events is available from the organisers; Avalanche Endurance Events at: https://www.avalancheenduranceevents.com/home.html

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Top Photo: The Pen-y-Fan viewed from Cribyn. Photo by Dave Dunford.

Author: Pat Carty is a NATO accredited journalist who covers military news, events, operations, and exercises; including special operations forces. He is a contributor to SOF News as well as several other military defense publications.

The Special Operations Command – Europe (SOCEUR) will move from Stuttgart, Germany to Mons, Belgium according to the Department of Defense. In a series of news releases defense officials outlined the plan to relocate 11,900 service members from Germany to other European nations or back to the United States. SOCEUR will be one of the affected units.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper stated in a press conference that the proposed changes are in line with the National Defense Strategy (NDS). The move will reduce U.S. military personnel in Germany from 36,000 to about 24,000.

The repositioning of troops will begin in a few weeks but it will be a long and expensive process. About 5,600 service members will move out of Germany but stay in Europe. An additional 6,400 will return to the states.

Esper is keen to emphasize that this is not a lessening of our support to NATO as rotational troops will take the place of those permanently assigned. The rotational units will likely conduct six to nine month tours in Eastern Europe. The likely locations will be Poland, the Baltic States, or the Black Sea region.

The move of SOCEUR to Belgium will place it near Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. The commander of U.S. European Command, Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, stated that “This will improve the speed and clarity of our decision-making and promote greater operational alignment.” He also added that a similar relocation could happen for U.S. Special Operations Command – Africa; however, no new location has been determined.

NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) is located in Mons, Belgium at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). NSHQ is under the daily direct command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). NSHQ is the primary point of development, coordination, and direction for all NATO Special Operations activities. NSHQ also operates the NATO Special Operations School (NSOS). NSHQ is currently commanded by LTG Eric Wendt – a U.S. Army Special Forces officer.

There is no word yet on the disposition of the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group – currently based in the Stuttgart, Germany area. This battalion had previously been based at Bad Tolz, Germany before moving to the Stuttgart area. The Air Force special operations unit based in Mildenhall, UK was supposed to rebase to Germany, putting the SOF air assets closer to a possible ‘eastern front’. However, the 352nd Special Operations Wing will now remain in the United Kingdom.

According to SECDEF Esper the planned repositioning of almost 12,000 troops will:

• enhance deterrence of Russia
• strengthen NATO
• reassure allies
• improve U.S. strategic flexibility and EUCOM operational flexibility
• take care of service members and their families

The costs of all the moves is expected to exceed several billion dollars. There is flexibility in the planned moves based on future events (for instance – the November 2020 presidential elections come to mind). European Command, now at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, will be a big headquarters to move – so that will take some time.

Many national security observers are critical of the Department of Defense’s concept and state this is being pushed through by President Trump to ‘punish Germany’. Trump has been a long-time critic of Germany saying that Germany does not pay enough for its own defense. He has stated that Germany has been ‘delinquent’ in paying its fair share (2% of GNP) towards the cost of maintaining NATO. It is estimated that Germany spent 1.38% on defense in 2019.

The units assigned to SOCEUR include the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, Naval Special Warfare Unit 2, 352nd Special Operations Wing, and other support units. SOCEURs area of responsibility consists of 51 countries extending from Greenland to the European continent. The AOR includes all of Russia, the Caucasus region, Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea. The mission of SOCEUR is to employ special operations forces across the area of responsibility to enable deterrence, strengthen European security collective capabilities and interoperability, and counter transnational threats to protect U.S. personnel and interests.

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References:

“DOD Proposes Removing More Than 11,000 Troops From Germany”, DOD News, July 29, 2020.

“Department of Defense Senior Leaders Brief Reporters on European Force Posture”, U.S. Department of Defense Transcript, July 29, 2020. SECDEF Mark Esper, General John Hyten, and General Tod Wolters answer questions on the European force posture moves.

Image. Derived from Map of Europe (CIA) and SOCEUR banner.

By Otto Fiala and Ulrica Pettersson, PRISM, Vol. 8, No. 4, June 2020.
The complete article can be accessed here – PRISM or view the PDF.

During the Cold War, NATO, led by the United States, and the Warsaw Pact, led by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), maintained vast numbers of military forces in Central Europe, facing each other along what Winston Churchill labeled as an Iron Curtain. On the western side, in addition to these conventional forces, several NATO allies also maintained what were called “stay-behind networks,” intended to remain within territory potentially over-run by Soviet forces in a war.

These networks were established to remain within Soviet occupied territories, to conduct sabotage and other guerrilla type activities against Soviet forces, and to send intelligence to NATO allies. The networks were intended to engage in resistance against a Soviet occupation. Upon the dissolution of the USSR, these stay-behind networks were completely dismantled, due to the perception that the threat had disappeared with the end of the Cold War.

In the 21st century, Russia, which had been the core of the former USSR, became resurgent and began to re-assert its power and influence in and over several former Soviet Republics. In 2008, Russia seized the Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In 2014, Russia seized the Crimea from Ukraine and continues to support separatist activities in Eastern Ukraine. These aggressive acts, coupled with additional aggressive Russian behavior toward the Baltic nations, prompted the 2014 U.S. European Reassurance Initiative, renamed the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) in 2017. This was an initiative of the Obama administration in 2014, which was included in the Department of Defense’s FY 2015 Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) budget request to Congress.

Since FY 2015, the initiative has provided funding in support of five lines of effort: (1) Increased Presence, (2) Exercises (e.g., Exercise BALTOPS is an annual, multinational maritime exercise focused on interoperability, maritime security, and cooperation among Baltic Sea and regional partners) and Training, (3) Enhanced Prepositioning, (4) Improved Infrastructure, and (5) Building Partnership Capacity. Additionally, at NATO’s 2016 summit in Warsaw, the United States sponsored and NATO adopted the enhanced forward presence (EFP) program to expand the number of NATO participants forward deploying troops into the Baltic NATO allies on a rotational basis. This resulted in a continuing NATO program whereby the United States rotates a forward deployed battalion size Army presence in northeastern Poland, near the Suwalki Corridor, while the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany rotate similar-sized elements in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, respectively. These sponsoring nations rotate their troops on a heel-to-toe basis approximately every six months, resulting in a seamless continuous presence.

Concurrently, United States Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) began its concept exploration of resistance, as it recognized that the forward deployed NATO conventional forces were not adequate to defeat a major incursion. SOCEUR then collaborated with the Baltic NATO allies Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as with other allies and partners in seminars and workshops, to relearn what had been forgotten from the previous stay-behind organizations of Western Europe, to add new knowledge, and to develop a practical and effective Resistance Concept.

Read the remainder of the article here.

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“ROC(K) Solid Preparedness: Resistance Operations Concept in the Shadow of Russia”, by Otto Fiala and Ulrica Pettersson, PRISM, Vol. 8, No. 4, National Defense University Press, June 2020.

COL (R) O. Fiala, PhD, JD is the author of the Resistance Operating Concept at SOCEUR. Ulrica Pettersson PhD, is an Associate Professor at Swedish Defence University.

This article was first published in PRISM on June 11, 2020. Re-posted by SOF News with the permission of the PRISM editorial staff.

Download PDF, 12 pages.

Image: From the article.

by Angela Walter.

A Special Forces mountain team assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conducted their annual mountain requalification training in the wilderness of Colorado and Montana from October to December.

U.S. Army Special Forces train extensively year-round in a wide variety of unconventional warfare abilities. Each Special Forces Operational Detachment – Alpha (SFOD-A) specializes in a specific area of expertise, requiring every member of the team to become well-versed in their respective specialty by completing annual requalification training. For the mountain teams of 2nd Battalion, that means a few long months shaking the dust off their climbing ropes and sharpening their ice axes.

“We start the training by establishing baseline skills in basic mountaineering tasks,” said the detachment’s operations sergeant. “It expands from multi-pitch rock climbing to high-angle rescue operations in summer conditions to ice climbing and alpine skiing in winter.”

The teams also train extensively in moving over snow-covered terrain using snowmobiles and back country skiing techniques. Due to a high risk of avalanches, avalanche training is also an integral part of this skill set.

“This training is what gives us the ability to conduct year-round operations in mountainous terrain,” said the detachment’s commander. “The training is intense and demanding, but is necessary for successful mountain operations.”

The company sergeant major for the detachment briefly joined the team for training in Montana, returning to his own background of mountain expertise while getting an up close look at the team’s training.

“This is what makes a mountain team. Annually, this is what they have to do to demonstrate to the command team and to themselves that they have the skills and understanding to accomplish the mission in a mountainous terrain,” said the sergeant major.

Mountaineering differs from other specialties in that it often involves longer, slower, and more deliberate movements that encompass a wide range of necessary skills. Moving through mountainous terrain can span multiple days and multiple different environments with varying weather conditions.

Mastering the skills it takes to move quickly and efficiently over this unforgiving landscape is not only important to the SFOD-A’s mission success, but to their ability to pass on their knowledge and skills to our indigenous partners around the world.

“It’s amazing to see how it has evolved,” the sergeant major continued. “The equipment’s gotten better, the training for the guys has gotten better, and so, too, has their knowledge and skill; as it should. We should always be getting better at what we do.”

While training in Montana, the team took the chance to see where their roots first sprouted. In 1942, the First Special Service Force was formed at Fort Harrison, MT, where they were trained in unconventional mountain warfare and cold weather survival in support of important, high-threat missions during World War II. The First Special Service Force became the foundation on which our modern special forces were built.

“The training in Montana gave us the chance to see exactly where and how our lineage started,” said the operations sergeant. “It shows the significance of mountain warfare from then to now, and how it’s still important for us to train in these environments today.”

The mountains of Colorado and Montana are not the only challenges the team has faced. In the last two years, the team has spent a total of twelve months on deployments to Afghanistan. In real world operations, everything the team does in the training environment at home is the difference between mission success and mission failure downrange.

“Although our operations in a training environment are different than in a combat zone, our operational requirements remain the same,” said the operations sergeant. “Our ability to successfully shoot, move, communicate, and medicate downrange serves as the foundation on which we can expand and refine our skills as a mountain team at home.”

The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) is regionally aligned to Europe with operational missions ranging from the beaches of the Black Sea to the mountains and snow of the high north regions of Norway. While focused on Europe, the group continues to support enduring rotations to Afghanistan.

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This story is a reprint of “Green Berets Return to the Heart of the Mountains for Annual Training”, by Sgt. Angela Walter, 10th Special Forces Group, 13 Dec 2019. Posted on DVIDS on 13 April, 2020.

Photo: Green Berets from the 10th Special Forces Group conduct their annual mountain requalification training in the wilderness of Colorado and Montana in October to December 2019.
(Photo by Sgt. Angela Walter, 10th SFGA, December 13, 2019.)

In 2014 the Resistance Operating Concept (ROC) began its early stages of development. The Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), commanded by Major General (MG) Mike Repass, began this academic effort. Subsequent SOCEUR commanders and their staffs along with other members of the European special operations community continued the endeavor.

A series of seminars, conferences, and workshops were held to refine the doctrine for unconventional warfare in Europe. The actions of a resurgent and aggressive Russia made this effort a priority within the European special operations community. The ROC is a concept that will aid Northern and Eastern European countries to deter and resist aggression in Eastern Europe.

These workshops, conferences, and seminars led to the writing of a book entitled Resistance Operating Concept. The chief editor was Otto C. Fiala of SOCEUR. The book was printed and distributed in limited copies by Arkitektkpia in Stockholm, Sweden in late 2019.

In December 2019 the Swedish Defence University and SOCEUR jointly announced the finished product. The editor of SOF News was fortunate to receive a hard bound copy for review. The book is certainly a superb addition to the library of the military academic – especially one with a keen interest in Unconventional Warfare. It is very professionally done and full of great material about historical and contemporary unconventional warfare topics.

The foreword is provided by Major General Kirk Smith – a former commander of SOCEUR. BG Anders Lofberg, the commander of the Swedish Special Operations Command also provided a foreword. The four chapters are:

• Chapter 1 – Introduction
• Chapter 2 – Resilience as a Foundation for Resistance
• Chapter 3 – Resistance
• Chapter 4 – Interagency Planning and Preparation

There are ten appendices on the topics of legal considerations, methods of nonviolent resistance, Russian hybrid warfare tactics, Second World War case studies, Cold War resistance case studies, case studies lessons learned, assessing resilience, population interaction with a foreign occupier, government interagency planning, and more. The glossary provides terms, definitions, abbreviation, and acronyms. The book is very documented with 624 endnotes.

A new printing of Resistance Operating Concept is currently being done by the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Press at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. This printing is a collaborative work between SOCEUR and JSOU. A digital version of the book (PDF) is available online. (see references below).

The Resistance Operating Concept is being used by European SOF in academic and field environments. In collaboration with SOCEUR and Latvian special operations forces, the Joint Special Operations University conducted a National Resistance Course in Riga, Latvia during December 2019. More than 40 students, the majority from the Zemessardze (Territorial Forces), studied unconventional warfare.

The Resistance Operating Concept will be a guiding publication used by European SOF and US SOF for many years to come. It will certainly be integrated into the curriculum of SOF centric courses and schools. It is also a great addition for the military professional’s library.

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References:

Resistance Operating Concept, JSOU Press, 2020
https://jsou.edu/Press/PublicationDashboard/25

Resistance Operating Concept, SOCEUR and Swedish Defence University, edited by Otto Fiala, 2019, 251 pages. PDF Document Online at Digitala Vetenskapliga Arkivet.
https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1392106/FULLTEXT01.pdf

“SOCEUR and Resistance Operating Concept”, by John Friberg, SOF News, July 19, 2019.
http://www.sof.news/uw/resistance-operating-concept/

Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Press Publications
https://jsou.libguides.com/jsoupublications

Several European nations are contributing special operations forces to Task Force Takuba to fight armed groups in the Sahel. The special operations task force will fight in the Liptako region alongside troops from Niger and Mali.

Most of the attacks in the Sahel are by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen (JNIM) – a group that formed up in 2017 from several smaller groups. The Sahel region of Africa has been in turmoil for several years and the security situation has been deteriorating. Attacks against government and civilian targets have increased fivefold in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali since 2016.

Establishing Task Force Takuba

The French first began asking for European SOF to participate in early October 2019. The task force is expected to be established in the summer of 2020 and begin conducting some operations in late summer early fall. It appears that the task force will have two missions – one to conduct counterterrorism operations and the other to train local African forces. It is anticipated that Force Force Takuba will be fully operational by early next year. The lead nation for Task Force Tabuka is France. The task force was officially established on March 27, 2020.

Several nations have indicated their support of the SOF task force to include Sweden, Estonia, Czech Republic, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Italy, and others. Sweden will be contributing up to 150 special forces personnel and some helicopters. Germany, Norway, and the United States have stated that they will not participate in the SOF task force. European SOF – French, Dutch, Danish, and others – have been working in the Sahel region for several years supporting various initiatives.

Map depicts operating areas of AQIM, JNIM, and affiliates (red) and ISIS-Greater Sahara and affiliates.

The mission of the task force is to assist the Malian and Nigerien armed forces in countering terrorist groups and to complement the current efforts made by Operation Barkhane and the G5 Sahel Joint Force. The Takuba task force will be under the command of Operation Barkhane.

Operation Barkhane

There are currently about 4,500 French soldiers in the region as part of Operation Barkhane. This operation was established in 2014. The United Kingdom has Chinook helicopters providing support and Estonia is contributing force protection personnel. Denmark is supporting with EH101 medium-lift helicopters as well. The Barkhane force is focused on insurgent activity in the countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. France is in the process of sending an additional 600 troops to the Sahel region bringing Operation Barkhane’s troop count to 5,100. Operation Serval was the forerunner to Operation Barkhane.

MINUSMA

The United Nations has a 15,000 man peacekeeping force in Mali as well. The U.N. peacekeeping mission – established in 2013 – is known as United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The organization provides operational and logistical support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force. Some of the European nations supporting MINUSMA include France, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Germany.

G5 Sahel Joint Force

Five African countries, assisted by France, set up the G5 Sahel framework in 2014. In 2017 Chad, Mali, Niger, Maruitania, and Burkina Faso established a joint force (Joint Force FC-G5S) to meet the threats from insurgents and terrorists. The region faces a number of challenges – terrorism, organized crime, and demographic growth. Climate change has degraded the ability of some of the population to make a living from agriculture or livestock – exasperating the economic well being of the regions’ citizens. It is planned that once fully operational the G5 Sahel force will have 5,000 soldiers in seven battalions that will be based across three zones: West, Center, and East.

U.S. Reducing Presence?

Africa Command and the U.S. Department of Defense are currently conducting a review of U.S. troop commitments in Africa – to include the Sahel region. The new National Defense Strategy (NDS) has DoD focused on the great power competition posed by China and Russia. The U.S. military is attempting to reduce its commitments to the counterterrorism campaign in Africa. France relies heavily on U.S. logistics, air support (transport), and intelligence for its West Africa mission. France’s efforts in the Sahel would be hurt by a reduction of U.S. support. A number of U.S. SOF units have been deployed over the years to Africa – complementing the efforts of the 3rd Special Forces Group in Africa.

Goals of Task Force Tukuba

If the efforts of Operation Barkane, MINUSMA, Task Force Tukbua, and the G5 Sahel Force are successful, the host nation military units will take over full responsibility for the conduct of the security mission and degrade the insurgent and terrorist capabilities. This will allow the departure of the military forces of the European nations from West Africa. Ideally, Task Force Tukuba will be successful in establishing host nation special operations units that can take over the counterterrorism mission. However, all indications are that the European nations are in for a long effort in helping the G5 Sahel nations stabilize the region and restoring security.

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References:

The West-Africa Special Operations Forces: Development and Integration in the Context of the Sub-Suharan Growing Threats, CGSC, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: 2016.
https://apps.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD1024802

Learning from U.S. Counterterrorism Experience in the Sahel: A Springboard for the Sahel G5 Organization, Naval Post-graduate School, Monterey, CA: 2018.
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1065353

USSOF Operations in Africa: Prospects for Future Engagements in the Sahel, Air War College, Maxwell AFB: 2017.
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1037974

“Army Special Operations in Africa”, Special Warfare, USAJFKSWCS, January – March 2017.
https://www.soc.mil/SWCS/SWmag/archive/SW3001/JAN_MAR_2017.pdf

Violent extremism, organised crime and local conflicts in Liptako-Gourma, Institute for Security Studies (ISS), December 2019. Read report in French, report summary in English.

“Crisis in the Sahel Becoming France’s Forever War”, New York Times, by Ruth Maclean, March 29, 2020.

Top Map: Used under Creative Commons, Wikemedia.org. Map by Munion / CC BY-SA.

Map of Sahel states from CRS report TE10044, December 2019.

The Special Operations Forces Site Exploitation Courses (SOFSE) provide students the ability to exploit sensitive-site materials and detainees. The United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) has two SOFSE courses that are held at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Each is three weeks long and is conducted several times a year.

The Army defines “site exploitation” as the “. . . synchronized and integrated application of scientific and technological capabilities and enablers to answer informational requirements, facilitate subsequent operations, and support host-nation rule of law.” (ATP 3-90.15). Training courses conducted by SOF and conventional forces ensure that service members are knowledgeable about site exploitation procedures and processes. This ensures that information collected and persons found on-site are methodically assessed and transported to the appropriate facility – such as a technical exploitation facility or military police detainee collection point.

SOF units can conduct exploitation at the site utilizing a ‘reach back capability’ that will allow it to rapidly prosecute subsequent targets. JSOC is one SOF unit that conducts intelligence driven operations against ISIS and other jihadist movements. Its “Expeditionary Targeting Force” utilizes ‘identity intelligence‘ (I2) to conduct its missions. In addition, U.S. SOF is also conducting instruction for foreign SOF in site exploitation. For instance U.S. SOF is providing courses of instruction that include tactical site exploitation for the National Mission Unit (NMU) and select Province Special Units (PSU) in Afghanistan.

Some of the different categories of information to include biometric data (retina scan, fingerprints, etc.), cell phone data (CELLEX), electronic media (MEDEX), digital exploitation (DOMEX), and documents (DOCEX). The Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has designated the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (parent unit of USAJFKSWCS) as the lead SOF component for sensitive site exploitation. (page 2-2, ADP 3–05, July 2019).

SOFSE OAC

Photo: A student in the SOFSE OAC fingerprints a captured enemy role player during training at Ft Bragg, NC. (Photo by K. Kassens, Oct 17, 2019).

The SOF Site Exploitation Operator Advance Course (SOFSE OAC) provides students the knowledge necessary to work on a site exploitation team. This includes team organization, responsibilities, planning, and interagency collaboration. The students in the course are trained in organizing, planning, and conducting forensic and biometric collection, document examination, media exploitation, improved explosive device exploitation, tactical questioning and detainee-handling procedures.

SOFSE TEC

Photo: Students in the Special Operations Forces Site Exploitation – Technical Exploitation Course, use a laser to photograph a document during fingerprint training. (U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens, October 22, 2019)

The SOF Site Exploitation, Technical Exploitation Course (SOFSE TEC) graduates will learn how to operate within a SOFSE facility. The students in the course are trained in advanced battlefield forensics, on-site identification, capturing, and transfering latent prints, document digitization and employment of ballistic imaging devices.

NATO SOF SSE Courses

Photo: A computer, cell phones, propaganda flyers, and images of an IED belt are some of the simulated evidence found during a site exploitation as U.S. and allied special forces search a compound for the NATO Special Operations Forces Campus Technical Exploitation Operator Controller Course on Chievres Air Base, Beligium. (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Pierre-Etienne Courtejoie, Oct 29, 2015).

NATO SOF has several courses within the sensitive site exploitation field. These courses are held at the NATO SOF Campus in Belgium. The NATO SOF Technical Exploitation Operations (TEO) Course instructs students in the collection and exploitation of materials during a compressed operation. The NATO Digital Media Exploitation Course concentrates on the retrieval and examination of data stored on computers and other digital storage devices. The NATO SOF Cellular Exploitation Course concentrates on the retrieval and examination of data from mobile devices and the fusion of this data into intelligence reports.

During the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) the art and science of site exploitation has grown leaps and bounds. This has proved to add to the effectiveness of specialized SOF units conducting high value individual (HVI) operations (F3EAD) as well as enhancing the rule of law through warrant-based arrests. Courses of instruction such as SOFSE OAC, SOFSE TEC, and others (NATO SOF) enhance the capabilities of SOF units.

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References:

ATP 3-90.15, Site Exploitation, July 2015
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/atp3_90x15.pdf

NATO, Technical Exploitation in the Gray Zone: Empowering NATO SOF for Strategic Effect, by Chace A. Falgout, Utica College, May 2019.
https://www.academia.edu/39335310/TECHNICAL_EXPLOITATION_IN_THE_GRAY_ZONE_EMPOWERING_NATO_SOF_FOR_STRATEGIC_EFFECT

Video – Site Exploitation, 2010. A ten-minute long video describing the work of a U.S. Marine Corps Site Exploitation. The video describes the fictional story of how an SE team conducts exploitation in Iraq.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCd7440W0tg

Top Photo: A student at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School in the SOF Site Exploitation Operator Advanced Course photographs a cell phone during training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. (U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens, October 22, 2019)