SOF in Unlit Spaces: Understanding the World's Dark Spots in the Context of SOF Operational Planning

Abstract

In 2011, the former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Admiral Eric T. Olson, highlighted a strategic focus for Special Operations Forces (SOF). He discussed placing greater emphasis on the "unlit spaces" around the globe to, "deal with the emerging threats from the places where the lights aren't." Admiral Olson was referring to an illuminated image of Earth viewed from space at night that depicts concentrations of city lights and zones of darkness. While this is a partially useful description of potential problem areas, it lacks comprehensiveness and over-generalizes the strategic shaping of SOF potential. USSOCOM should further define what constitutes those "unlit spaces" before committing resources to them. This monograph attempts to define more clearly what "unlit spaces" are, and what their implications are for the use of SOF. When looking at "unlit spaces," the central thesis to consider is that the SOF ability to operate in "unlit spaces" varies based on the unique characteristics affecting accessibility to those areas. The typology, "unlit spaces," means many things. It entails various characteristics causing an area to appear dark. Those characteristics demand distinct accessibility considerations. Accessibility considerations affect the feasibility of SOF missions in those "unlit spaces." SOF missions conducted in the human domain, such as unconventional warfare, incur unique risks associated with the nature of the human environment. Since the nature of the human domain can vary widely even within an "unlit space," SOF planners must fully understand the physical and cultural nuances of the operational environment. The monograph will examine the case studies of Afghanistan and Somalia, and how their unique settings during different time periods factored into planning considerations for conducting unconventional warfare in "unlit spaces."

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 23, 2013
Accession Number
ADA589720

Entities

People

  • Joseph A. Royo

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Failed States
  • Foreign Relations
  • Geography
  • International Law
  • International Relations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Social Media
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • Unconventional Warfare
  • United States
  • United States Special Operations Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Marine Mammal Biology
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
  • Space