Expanding global conflicts require new priorities for U.S. special operations forces, the principal deputy assistant secretary for special operations and low-intensity conflict told the House Armed Services Committee’s emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee here yesterday.
Theresa Whelan, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for SOLIC, and Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, described the existing special operations forces enterprise and U.S. ability to address security concerns with special operations forces today and in the future.
“Our SOF personnel work in an environment where global conflict has expanded beyond the physical to dimensions such as cyber space, the social media sphere and bio warfare,” Whelan said. “Individuals, illicit networks and terrorist groups such as [the Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant] can disrupt economies, interrupt the flow of information and perpetrate significant violence, destabilizing countries and entire regions.”
Other nations, some of which are U.S. peers, she said, also are making use of the new technologies to enhance aggressive, asymmetric tactics.
SOF’s Small Footprint
“In the face of this evolving strategic landscape, the ability of SOF to operate unobtrusively with a small footprint in contested environments is becoming ever more crucial,” she said.
Whelan described some major priorities for special operations forces as they operate in the new environment, such as developing the best personnel and equipping them with cutting-edge technologies.
“Such technologies mean constantly improving existing platforms, equipment and gear, and investing in new, innovative technologies,” she said, and she emphasized the importance of building strong working relationships with allied and partner nations in the special operations realm.
Boosting other nation's special operations capabilities would give the United States potential to leverage such forces along with its unique authorities, Whelan said, citing the Counter Terrorism Partnership Fund, which boosted the nation’s most important tool, the Global Train and Equip Authority.
“Our counterdrug authorities permit SOF and other DoD components to work with U.S. partner-nation law enforcement to help counter drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime, which can serve as a source of funding for terrorists, insurgents, and other threat networks,” Whelan said.
SOF’s Best Asset
“Our people are our greatest asset,” Votel said. “They are adaptive, bold, and innovative. Through persistent presence in harm's way they allow us to see opportunities early and they routinely deliver strategic impacts with the smallest of footprints.”
But sacrifices special operations personnel make do not come without a cost, he said, emphasizing what he called his strongest point by thanking the committee for its devotion to the well-being and resilience of special operators and their families.
“Because of congressional support, their emotional, social, psychological, and physical health are in good hands,” Votel said.
Changing Global Challenges
Votel agreed with Whelan on the changing global environment. “We are in an era of rapidly shifting power, with competition and conflict between both state and nonstate actors -- actors who are increasingly ambiguous and transregional,” he said.
As a result, Votel said, “this past year we focused on gaining a deeper understanding of today's gray zone challenges. We restructured operational rhythm to focus on the transregional nature of violent extremist organizations. Given this violent -- given this complex security environment, the demand for SOF skills is understandably high.”
Special operations forces should not be expanded or mass-produced because of significant risk, Votel said, noting that the force is deployed with external support and dependent upon its service partners.
“U.S. Socom is fully dependent upon and integrated with our service partners,” he said. “They provide our people much of the equipment we operate and the critical enabling forces we depend upon on a daily basis around the globe.”
Not only does Socom rely on SOF-specific enhancements to service-managed program, he noted, but the ability to operate stands on service-provided capabilities, such as infrastructure, transportation, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and close air support, Votel added.
“Alongside our colleagues in the services we are grateful for the budget stability forged out of last year's agreement,” the Socom commander said. “And we remain hopeful for similar stability beyond 2017.”
Congressional oversight of Socom’s efforts to man, train, equip and employ special operations forces remains critical as it “confronts an increasingly complex security environment,” Votel said.
(Follow Terri Moon Cronk on Twitter: @MoonCronkDoD)