United States Army Special Operations Forces and Building Enduring Partner Enabler Capacity in Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines
Abstract
Since 2001, US Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) have conducted continuous counterterrorism (CT) and counterinsurgency (COIN) operations against al Qaeda and associated Islamist violent extremist networks (VENs), often partnering with host nation SOF. As the US strives to build partner capacity around the world, building partner nation logistics is a vital consideration. Logistics capacity is a strategic imperative for any nation attempting to strengthen its national defense because logistics is the key enabler of what a nation can do militarily. This monograph addresses the topic of building Indigenous Forces' partner enabler capacity to determine the effectiveness of US Army special forces with building partner enabler capacity pertaining to maintenance, medical, facility engineering, and sustainment to help others understand the importance of building a self-sustaining partner force to produce enduring security effects. This monograph centers on a case study of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines and US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) forces. It illuminates the on-going actions of a small Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF-P), with a particular focus on US Army Special Forces and building enduring partner enabler capacity. In addition to drawing upon the extant secondary literature on the subject, this study includes interviews with former JSOTF-P Commanders, a 1st Special Forces Group Support Battalion Commander, a JSOTF-P Logistics Staff Officer, a JSOTF-P Medical Officer, and a JSOTF-P Special Forces Operations Officer. In the end of the study, three conclusions are offered. First, despite its vast logistics capability at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels, USASOC has under-emphasized building partner enabler capacity. Second, logistics capacity building is critical to help partners and allies strengthen their security, overcome their military readiness challenges, and enable action to thwart security challenges. Third, US S
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA611786
Entities
People
- Lavern T. Burkes
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College