SPECIAL OPERATIONS

A Quartery Armada International Supplement

Q2 2016
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02 2016 Special Operations

 NATO’s TRIDENT JUNCTURE 2015
exercise comprised maritime SOF
involvement including a coalition
of combat diving units tasked with
conducting beach reconnaissance and
insertion techniques © NATO

Special
Effects
The contemporary operating environment remains an extremely busy one
for international Special Operations Forces (SOF), as governments continue to
recognise and further extend their specialist capabilities and force multiplying
effects.

Andrew White

O
ngoing Counter-Insurgency
(COIN) operations continue
to dominate the headlines,
whether they be occurring
in Africa, the Americas, the Asia-Pacific,
Europe or the Middle East. It is from
these operations that a series of trends
have become apparent with regards to
current and future deployments of SOF
units.
These headlines include interoper-
ability and partnering with multi-agency
organisations and multi-national force
elements during operations; the inclusion
of women into the closely-guarded SOF
community; and the continuing upscal-
ing of equipment, designed to maintain
the tactical advantage over adversaries.
Such multinational interoperability
is also being enhanced in the train-
ing environment with the international
SOF community conducting significant
exercises such as the North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation’s (NATO’s) Exer-
cises TRIDENT JUNCTURE (see below)
and COLD RESPONSE, both of which
have witnessed the deployment of spe-
cial operations teams from more than
ten NATO member states and partner
nations on each occasion.

2016 Special Operations 03

NATO’s Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE 2015 saw NATO SOF and non-NATO-Entities
conduct parachute insertion into a range of environments in order to team up with
other forces © USAF
In December 2015, the US Joint
Special Operations University (JSOU)
published its 2016 Special Operations
Research Topics report which described
SOF as boasting the: “primary military
capabilities to be employed in the uncer-
tain environment of today” for the US ad-
ministration and Department of Defence
(DoD): “The future operating environ-
ment is defined by an increasingly inter-
connected global community paired with
the increasing effects of non-state actors.
SOF preparing to operate within this en-
vironment are bound by fiscal constraint,
decreasing resources, and manpower
limitations amongst an era of expanding
SOF requirements. The characteristics of
warfare within this environment will con-
tinue to evolve,” the report reads.
Citing SOF units’ ability to conduct
irregular or unconventional warfare, the
report continues to describe how such
a concept of operation has become an:
“increasingly important tool of US policy
04 2016 Special Operations
as resistance forces in many parts of the
globe organise to confront oppressive re-
gimes,” while also possessing the capabil-
ity to conduct “surgical strike” missions
in “hostile, denied, or politically sensitive
environments to seize, destroy, capture,
exploit, recover or damage designated
targets, or influence threats.” The report
also refers to the balance between irregu-
lar warfare and surgical strike as the “New
Special Operations Equilibrium,” similar
to ongoing operations currently being
conducted in the Middle East against
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) mili-
tants: “SOF surgical strike capability, or
the direct action role, offers policymakers
and political leaders an attractive mili-
tary option for difficult or complex situ-
ations. This surgical strike capability is a
key instrument of national power, but it
is not the only SOF mission and not nec-
essarily the sole option for policymakers.
Also, SOF must be capable of succeeding
in their special warfare role on missions
that may be carried out over long periods
of time and in complex, often ambiguous,
environments.
This, the report continues, includes
the “execution of activities that involve
a combination of lethal and non-lethal
actions taken by a specially-trained and
educated force that has a deep under-
standing of cultures and foreign language
proficiency in small-unit tactics and the
ability to build and fight alongside indig-
enous combat formations in a permissive,
uncertain, or hostile environment,” the
report concludes.
I Interoperability
Cooperation between partner nations
is nothing new in the SOF environment.
However, information has emerged re-
garding strategic cooperation between
the US DoD and Russian Ministry of
Defence (MoD). According to the Pen-
tagon, intelligence has been shared with
regards to locations of US Special Forces
deployed on the ground in Syria, in or-
der to prevent chances of ‘Blue-on-Blue’
situations during air and ground opera-
tions. The news represents a significant
increase in cooperation between the
DoD and MoD following the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
in October 2015, designed to implement
a series of air safety protocols for fast jet
crews operating in the Syria/Iraq Area of
Operation (AO).
Addressing the media on 20 February,
DoD spokesperson, Peter Cook, described
how the department had provided its Rus-
sian counterparts with the geolocation of
US AOs, which he asserted was “outside
the scope” of the aforementioned MoU.
This cooperation will not only be limited
to the threat of air strikes, with Russian
Special Forces concurrently executing
operations on the ground, sometimes in
collaboration with Hezbollah insurgents
supporting the regime of Bashir al-Assad,
particularly in the vicinity of the northern
Syrian city of Aleppo. Although the strate-
gic location of US Special Forces remains
highly classified, the chances of a Blue-on-
Blue incident occurring during ground as-
saults, sometimes conducted in a congest-
ed and complicated urban environment,
remain high.
Addressing the same audience as Mr.
Cook, Lieutenant General Charles Brown,
commander of the US Air Force (USAF)
Central Command (CENTCOM),
described how the ‘general’ location of
US Special Forces had been dissemi-
nated to Russian command components,
explaining: “The areas we’ve actually
identified are areas we do have coalition
SOF in Syria. So, it’s not specific areas,
but fairly broad areas, to maintain a lev-
el of safety for our forces that are there
on the ground.” On 27 November 2015,
President Barack Obama highlighted
how the US Special Operations Com-
mand (USSOCOM) would deploy an
initial team of 50 operators to northern
Iraq and Syria in order to “train, advise
and assist” indigenous security forces
against ISIS. This number has since been
revised to comprise some 200 operators,
with sources explaining to Armada that
most force elements have been drawn
from the US Joint Special Operations
Command (JSOC).
Russian Spetsnaz units, under the
control of the Komanda Spetsial’nikh
Operatsiy (KSO) or Special Operations
Command, are understood to be coordi-
nating offensive action against ISIS fight-
ers, in support of Russian ground attack
aircraft which began conducting opera-
tions in the area on 30 September 2015.
According to direction from President
Vladimir Putin, Spetsnaz forces have been
tasked with not only fighting ISIS but
also, and quite controversially, com-
bating the Free Syrian Army which is
fighting the regime of Mr. Assad, and
considered more politically moderate
than their ISIS counterparts. Whether
cooperation is a two-way street has yet
to be confirmed, although US defence
sources informed Armada that the Rus-
sian MoD had provided some Facilities
including air bases.
Such interaction between US and
Russian defence organisations has not
been previously witnessed, certainly in
an overt capacity, if at all and with the
global security environment continuing
to deteriorate with acts of Islamist in-
spired political violence, such as the 13
2016 Special Operations 05

With a view to expanding interoperability NATO Special Operations Forces conduct a
breadth of missions ranging from direct action and special reconnaissance through to
CRBN and SSE tasks © NATO
March attack by Islamist elements in Cote
d’Ivoire, the future may well see increased
collaboration between these various force
elements.
I Female Force
Elsewhere in the SOF community, the de-
bate regarding the integration of women
continues. On 1 January 2016, rules for-
The operating environment of the past
decade has seen many NATO SOF units
become well trained in operating in arid,
and hot and high conditions in the Middle
East and South Central Asia © US DoD
06 2016 Special Operations
bidding women from undertaking combat
roles within the USSOCOM were officially
lifted following a policy change by the US
DoD in 2013. The legislation change will
open up more than 15500 previously-
restricted positions to women across the
Command although the concept, which
has been officially backed by USSOCOM
Commander, General Joseph Votel, con-
tinues to meet fierce resistance internally
within the organisation.
According to a report published by the
Rand Corporation, a think tank, on 3 De-
cember 2015, the elimination of the “Direct
Ground Combat Definition and Assign-
ment Rule” could have serious knock-on
implications for the operational effective-
ness of SOF teams with regards to “readi-
ness, cohesion and morale. Based on a
survey of SOF personnel, opposition to
opening SOF specialties to women is both
deep and wide, with high levels of opposi-
tion across all SOF elements,” the report
reads: “The principal sources of this op-
position are the belief that women do not
have the physical and other capabilities to
meet the demands of SOF specialties; the
belief that the current high levels of cohe-
sion and trust in units will suffer; and the
importance that SOF personnel attach to
maintaining high standards, coupled with
deep concern that performance standards
might be lowered to enable women to
qualify.” It continues that: “These survey
results are supported and complemented
by the results of focus group discussions
with SOF personnel. These findings re-
flect SOF personnel’s speculation, rather
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 A Polish soldier from the GROM unit prepares to
conduct a visit, board, search and seizure operation
armed with a 5.56mm carbine, flash-bang grenades
and tactical radios © NATO
than actual experiences of SOF personnel.
Similar concerns were voiced in prior in-
tegrations of excluded groups. These chal-
lenges are not insurmountable, and much
depends on the implementation process,”
it adds: “The issue of establishing gender-
neutral standards is a critical component
of the successful integration of women
into SOF.” The authors describe “a frame-
work for the SOF service components for
establishing gender-neutral standards that
builds on best practices applied to civilian
organisations and federal agencies. The
framework provides conceptual clarity and
a set of unifying themes across the SOF ser-
vice components,” the report concludes.
According to the survey, more than
85 percent of survey participants were
against the integration of women into
their own particular force elements, with
representatives from US Naval Special
Warfare Command, US Army Special
Operations Command (USASOC) and
US Air Force Special Operations Com-
mand (USAFSOC) taking part in the
survey. Concerns centred around three
paramount reasons, which included low-
08 2016 Special Operations
ering of entry standards in order to ac-
commodate women; erosion of unit co-
hesion; and inter-team conflict between
unit members. However, on the positive
side, approximately 25 per cent of soldiers
surveyed admitted that women could be
helpful when conducting “sensitive op-
erations and communicating with local
populations,” with many other opera-
tors questioned suggested women could
be used more in an attached role to SOF
force elements. The report also described
the implementation process of allowing
women entry into USSOCOM positions
as “critical to the long-term success” of the
Command: “To ensure long-term viability,
USSOCOM will need to put in place prac-
tices to promote the successful integration
of qualified women. Valid, gender-neutral
standards can facilitate integration. These
concerns regarding mission effectiveness
can be addressed by establishing and
validating gender-neutral standards and
implementing training programmes that
prepare female candidates to meet those
standards,” the report suggests: “Targeted
recruitment and the adequate preparation
of female candidates are needed. Provid-
ing female candidates adequate prepara-
tion to meet gender-neutral standards
could go a long way in enabling women
to earn the respect and trust of their SOF
teammates,” it reads while describing how
the integration process must continue to
be monitored and assessed over time.
However the future pans out for
women integrating into USSOCOM,
a development path continues to be
created for women in the wider inter-
national SOF community. In 2014, Nor-
way’s MoD opened up female enlistment
into the Norwegian Special Operations
Command, which at the time comprised
force elements from the army’s Forsvarets
Spesialkommando (FSK/Special Com-
mando Force) and the navy’s Marine-
jegerkommandoen (MJK/Marine Com-
mandos). The move was quickly followed
on 1 January 2015 with the conscription
of women into the wider Norwegian
Armed Forces. On the back of this legis-
lation, the Special Operations Command
is currently developing an all-female
unit, designated Jegertroppen or Hunter’s
 Soldiers from Poland’s GROM lay up along the
Mediterranean coast onboard a Rigid Hull Inflatable
Boat ahead of a maritime interdiction training exercise
as part of NATO’s TRIDENT JUNCTURE 2015 © NATO

Troop, Norwegian SOF sources explained
to Armada: “This is a test project, but
the experiences so far are very good. The
project has also attracted a lot of atten-
tion from Norway’s partners and allies,”
sources indicated while highlighting how
Norwegian SOF continue to be engaged
in operations across the conflict spec-
trum, ranging from conventional and ir-
regular warfare through to peacekeeping,
stabilisation and military assistance tasks.
I TRIDENT JUNCTURE
Towards the end of 2015, NATO SOF
and partner nations completed their larg-
est multinational exercise for a decade
as part of the wider Exercise TRIDENT
JUNCTURE. A total of ten NATO mem-
ber states and additional partner nations
supplied SOF teams to the exercise with
participants including Belgium’s Spe-
cial Forces Regiment; Canada’s Special
Operations Forces Command (CAN-
SOFCOM); the Czech Republic’s 601st
Special Forces Group (SFG); the Nether-
lands’ Maritime Special Operations
Forces (NL-MARSOF); Poland’s GROM;
Portugal’s DAE Naval Special Forces;
Slovenia’s Special Operations Unit
(SOU); Spain’s Special Operations Com- SOF sources explained to Armada
mand; the US Naval Special Warfare Unit how the major Training Objective (TO)
2 which includes SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) for the exercise had been to improve in-
Teams 2, 4, 8 and 10; and non-NATO teroperability between force elements,
entity Finland’s ETO Naval Special Op- representative of demands being encoun-
erations unit. tered in the Contemporary Operating
Special operations serials (training Environment where multinational force
exercises) were conducted concurrently special operations teams sometimes op-
with a larger, more conventional exercise erate under the command of the same
involving land, air and maritime forces. Special Operations Task Group or Force.
The exercise was aimed at testing the As chief of staff for the NRF Special Oper-
capability of the NATO Response Force ations Component US Navy Commander
(NRF) which provides a high-readiness Erick Peterson, explained to Armada:
capability for the Alliance. The exercise “This exercise saw a strong emphasis from
ran between 3 October and 6 Novem- the special operations forces to execute
ber 2015, with the commander of the interoperability with the land, maritime
Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCB), and air components.” Training serials
based in the Netherlands, General Hans were conducted in Italy, Spain and Por-
Lothar Domröse explaining how Exercise tugal with NATO SOF units conducting
TRIDENT JUNCTURE had confirmed irregular operations and COIN missions
the NRF’s capability to deal with “general with additional emphasis on tasks in the
emerging security challenges,” adding maritime and littoral environment as well
that: “TRIDENT JUNCTURE 2015 has as Military Operations in Urban Terrain
been designed to ensure that our con- (MOUT). Maritime scenarios, executed
cepts and procedures will work in the under the command of a Special Opera-
event of a real crisis because our job is to tions Maritime Task Group (which com-
always be prepared to defend the people, prised Finnish, Polish, Portuguese and
territory, and values of this Alliance,” Gen US forces), included maritime interdic-
Domröse articulated. tion operations; vessel boarding, search

2016 Special Operations 09


and seizure; reconnaissance, hostage res-
cue, personnel recovery and specialist in-
sertion/extraction techniques including
fast-rope rappelling. Additional training
focused on explosive methods of entry,
close quarter combat, combat diving and
beach surveillance missions.
I COLD RESPONSE
As Armada’s Special Operations Compen-
dium went to press, NATO SOF units
were also participating in Exercise COLD
RESPONSE 2016, conducted in Nor-
way between 19 February and 22 March.
Conducted in tandem with the Norwe-
gian Armed Forces, Exercise COLD RE-
SPONSE is designed to enhance the cold
weather operations capabilities of NATO
SOF teams, particularly relevant in the
current operating environment consid-
ering renewed strategic interest in the
Arctic Circle from Russia. NATO sourc-
es explained to Armada how Exercise
COLD RESPONSE allowed “allied forces
and our partner nations to aggregate the
combined force in the event of a security
crisis. “The logistical procedures required
10 2016 Special Operations
the added danger of CBRN threats © NATO
to bring these forces together, especially
in a cold weather environment, take co-
ordination, collaboration, and practice to
implement successfully. Training along-
side our Norwegian hosts, other allies,
and international partners is an impor-
tant step to ensuring security and stability
in Europe,” an official source added.
Referring to SOF training, it was
added how the exercise also improves in-
teroperability between the participating
nations, enhancing access to a key strate-
gic region within the European AO. Exer-
cise COLD RESPONSE was conducted in
the Trøndelag counties of Central Norway,
comprising a total of 15000 soldiers from
14 member states including SOF force
elements from Belgium’s Special Forces
Group, Canada’s Special Operations Forc-
es Command, Denmark’s Special Opera-
tions Command, Finland’s Special Opera-
tions Forces, France’s Special Operations
Command, Germany’s KSK and SEK-M,
Latvia’s Special Tasks Unit, the Nether-
lands’ Marine Special Operations Com-
mand, Poland’s GROM, Spain’s Special
Operations Command, Sweden’s Special
NATO special forces, led by Polish troops,
conduct counter-insurgency exercises with
Operations Group, US Special Operations
Command, UK Special Forces and host
nation Norway’s FJS and MJK.
Training serials were designed to
simulate operations in “extreme, cold
and changing conditions,” according to
SOF sources associated with the exercise.
Speaking to Armada, they described how
Norway is “ideally suited for this kind of
winter training and exercises like COLD
RESPONSE give us the opportunity to
test and confirm our plans and tactics …
COLD RESPONSE also strengthens co-
operation between military and civilian
organisations, and military cooperation
between the participating countries,” the
source added. Norwegian Special Forces
were based at Bardufoss in Troms, along
with force elements from USSOCOM,
with particular emphasis being made on
interoperability between allied nations
operating in the northernmost Norwe-
gian counties of Nordland, Troms and
Finnmark. One representative from US-
SOCOM was reported to have explained
to local media: “For us, this is about being
more operational under these Arctic con-
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Similar to insertion techniques conducted into urban environments during Exercise
TRIDENT JUNCTURE, NATO Special Forces conducting cold weather operations also
routinely rely upon helicopters © Norwegian MoD

ditions. We need to learn from the experts.” 7.62mm light machine guns, body armour, process with similar amounts of personnel
Reinforcing demand for interoper- helmets and tactical radios to provide a set to undertake selection and continu-
ability with other NATO members in the basic tactical capability for force elements, ation training once a year. According to
winter warfare environment, commander worth a total of $537,368. To date, a total of the French MoD, training continues to be
of Norwegian Special Forces, Nil Johan 32 Cameroonian troops have been trained conducted at the Cameroonian National
Holte added: “The more we train together, in irregular warfare, supported by France’s Armed Forces Training Centre in Ngaoun-
the better we become together.” Training Gabon-based 6th Marine Infantry Battal- déré. To date, a limited special operations
saw SOF units conducting maritime, lit- ion. A second tranche of another 40 opera- capability has been supporting the Cam-
toral and ground-based operations, based tors is currently in the middle of a training eroon government by way of the Rapid
around COIN and anti/counter-piracy
missions with specific serials including
vessel boarding and search operations,
direct action and special reconnaissance. Special Operations Forces participate in cold weather operations,
with NATO’s Exercise COLD RESPONSE encouraging interoperability
between NATO and partner nation force elements © NATO
I Partnering
Meanwhile, partnering Concepts of Op-
erations (CONOPs) continue to provide
an effective means for NATO SOF to ex-
tend reach internationally. In February, the
French MoD revealed it was in the process
of assisting the Cameroon government to
activate its first dedicated Special Forces
unit, which according to defence sources,
should reach an initial operating capabil-
ity by the end of 2016. On 21 January, rep-
resentatives from the French government
provided the Cameroon unit with eleven
Peugeot P4 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
as well as weapons including Nexter AA52

12 2016 Special Operations

 Recent special forces training initiatives have seen special forces
conducting airborne insertion techniques from a variety of platforms
including Czech Air Force Mi-17 helicopters © NATO

Reaction Force or Bataillon d’Intervention

Rapide. Created in 2001, the single-battal-
ion unit has continued to conduct COIN
operations as part of homeland security
operations including missions close to
the border with Cameroon against Boko
Haram Islamist insurgents. However, the
new Special Forces unit is understood to
comprise a smaller force element, also
under the command of the Cameroonian
armed forces.

I FLINTLOCK 2016
Meanwhile, NATO SOF units completed
the latest iteration of the Exercise FLINT-
LOCK training programme, designed to
enhance the tactical and interoperable
capabilities of partnering African Special
Mission Units.
The latest exercise, which kicked off
on 8 February in Senegal, was once again
sponsored by the US Special Operations
Command-Africa and comprised a to-
tal of 30 states, not to mention partici-
pating nations providing directing staff.
The FLINTLOCK training programme,
which was first conducted in 2005, at- A Polish Special Forces soldier, equipped with a respirator, conducts room clearance
tracts troops from participating nations drills with NATO SOF colleagues © NATO

2016 Special Operations 13


in the Trans-Sahara Counter-Terrorism
Partnership, with additional support to
the US Special Operations Command-
Africa supplied by the African partner
nation Special Operations Forces Com-
mands. Last year’s exercise was hosted by
Chad.
This year’s iteration was launched
with an opening ceremony in Thies, Sene-
gal, with exercise commanders describing
how the exercise would focus on “devel-
oping capacity and collaboration amongst
African security forces to protect civilian
populations.” US Army Brigadier Gen-
eral Donald Bolduc, Special Operations
Command-Africa commander, explained
at the opening ceremony how this year’s
exercise spanned several geographical
locations across Senegal as well as train-
ing areas in neighbouring Mauritania. It
is the third time Senegal has hosted the
event since its inception.
Addressing SOF representatives at the
opening ceremony, Brig. Gen. Bolduc an-
nounced: “FLINTLOCK is more than a
military exercise, we are training together
to increase our interoperability and col-
laboration to counter today’s threats.
FLINTLOCK contributes to strengthen-
14 2016 Special Operations
As part of long-term partnering strategy to
African Special Mission Units, NATO Special
Exercise FLINTLOCK in Senegal © USAFRICOM
ing security ties, promoting shared val-
ues and setting conditions for economic
growth.” In response, Senegalese Army
chief of staff, Brig. Gen. Amadou Kane
responded: “This ceremony that unites
us today marks the official launch of this
multinational exercise. We’re meeting at a
particularly crucial moment in the histo-
ry of our continent and even more impor-
tant our sub-regions … Now, even more
than the past, the increase of terrorism
is a major concern to all of our countries.
This moment of apprehension and chal-
lenges is also a moment to decide a sole
and unique choice for the future, react to-
gether to stand in the in the way of violent
extremists,” Brig. Gen. Kane continued.
A total of 1700 Special Forces cadres
from 14 African countries will be trained
in the exercise with directing staff being
supplied by 19 separate SOF force ele-
ments from the US Special Operations
Command and European members be-
longing to the NATO Special Operations
Headquarters in Belgium. Past partici-
pants have included Special Forces from
Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mau-
ritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal,
South Africa and Tunisia with training
enhance the TTPs and interoperability of
Forces attend the opening ceremony of
staff provided by Canada, France, Ger-
many, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the
UK and the US. This year’s event will
see directing staff drafted in from coun-
tries including the US Army Special Op-
erations Command, UK Special Forces,
Spain’s Special Operations Force, Aus-
tralia’s Special Operations Command,
Latvia’s Special Tasks Unit, Germany’s
KSK, Romania and Poland’s Special Op-
erations Commands, again signifying the
international drive behind optimising the
interoperability and capability of partner-
ing nations across Africa.
Tactics, Techniques and Procedures
(TTPs) will be developed and practised
in order to enhance interoperability and
cooperation between regional and inter-
national security forces in a bid to combat
political violence “across borders”, exercise
officials explained to Armada: “Each par-
ticipating nation has a stake in the success-
ful outcome of FLINTLOCK 2016, which
will strengthen each nation’s security forc-
es,” they stated. Training packages were
conducted at the Thies military training
base with additional locations including
Podor, Bakel, Saint Louis as well as addi-
tional sites in Mauritania with a particular
 The Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat remains the vessel of choice for
international Special Forces conducting maritime COIN, VBSS
and interdiction operations, with the capability to insert a
troop of operators onto a target at speed © NATO

focus on information sharing, communi-
cations, first aid, logistics and civil affairs.
Exercising troops concentrated on
direct action, special reconnaissance and
military assistance capabilities as well as
strong emphasis on COIN operations, in
order to counter some of the most preva-
lent threats currently being combated
across Africa. Additionally, troops were
trained in maritime, littoral and riverine
operations with emphasis on anti/coun-
ter-piracy, anti-smuggling and counter-
narcotics operations including maritime
interdiction and Visit, Board, Search
and Seizure (VBSS) operations. Finally,
commanders will be trained in how best
to conduct tactical operations centres as
well as headquarters operations.
I Materiel
The New Year has also triggered some-
what of a resurgence in tactical ground ve-
hicle procurement with Belgium, Canada,
France and the US making significant de-
cisions regarding acquisitions to this end.
On 7 January, France’s Direction Générale
de l’Armement (DGA/General Arma-
ments Directorate) procurement agency
announced its intention to buy a total of
443 protected patrol vehicles from Renault
Trucks Defence (RTD) as part of a $279.9
million deal. The vehicles are expected
to replace a series of older platforms cur-
rently operated by French Special Forces
in Africa, which continue to train, advise
and assist indigenous partner nations as
well as conduct their own organic COIN
operations in the Central African Republic,
Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali.
In November 2015, the French gov-
ernment announced it was to deploy a task
force of approximately 300 cadres from
across the Special Operations Command
as part of a train, advise and assist opera-
tion to instruct SOF in the Democratic
Republic of Congo for COIN campaigns
against the Ugandan Allied Democratic
Forces. French special Forces also con-
tinue to work in collaboration with US
Special Forces in hostage rescue opera-
tions in the Sahel, including an operation
to this end conducted at the Radisson Blu
hotel on 20 November 2015, following the
capture of 170 hostages, 20 of whom were
killed, during an attack on the hotel in Ba-
mako, Mali, by Islamist guerillas.
New equipment is on the horizon for
the French Special Operations Command
which is to receive 241 lightweight vari-
ants of RTD’s Sherpa series of vehicles,
designated the Light Special Forces Ve-
hicle (Véhicules Légers des Forces Spécia-
les); and a further 202 heavyweight vari-
ants, designated the Heavy Special Forces
Vehicle (Véhicules Lourds des Forces Spé-
ciales). These vehicles are expected to re-
place a series of older platforms including
the Panhard Véhicule de Patrouille Spé-
ciale (VPS: Special Patrol Vehicle) Special
Forces Vehicles, ACMAT/RTD VLRA ve-
hicles and Auverland/Panhard A3F plat-
forms, currently operated by direct action
specialists 1er Régiment de Parachutistes
d’Infanterie de Marine (1st Marine Infan-
try Parachute Regiment) as well as the
13e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes
(13th Parachutist Dragoon Regiment),
the 10th Air Parachute Commando unit;
and FORFUSCO (Force Maritime des
Fusiliers Marins et Commandos/Marine
Fusiliers and Commando Maritime
Force) elements.
According to the DGA, this procure-
ment of vehicles will allow these various

2016 Special Operations 15


force elements to conduct more “de-
manding missions, such as intelligence
or neutralisation actions in depth in
hostile areas as discreetly as possible and
aims to improve interoperability and the
performance level of the vehicles (used
by the) army, navy and air force special
forces.” The DGA explained to Armada
how French Special Forces will receive a
first batch of 25 Light and Heavy Special
Forces Vehicles in 2016 with the remain-
ing units delivered to the units in stages
until 2018. The Special Forces Vehicles
(Light and Heavy) are based on RTD’s
four-wheel drive Sherpa Tactical Vehicles
family, which have been designed for air
mobility with transport aircraft including
the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules and
Airbus A400M Atlas turboprop freight-
ers: “The Sherpa Light family of … tactical
and light armoured vehicles is designed to
provide light forces (infantry, paratroop-
ers, marines, internal security) with the
best mobility/payload compromise of its
category. In addition, the Sherpa Light
is multi-role and ready for being up-ar-
16 2016 Special Operations
moured with ballistic and mine kits. The
Sherpa Light has already been adopted
by NATO, France and other countries,” a
company spokesperson for RTD explained.
The Sherpa Special Forces Light vehi-
cle is capable of carrying four personnel,
with provision for a 360-degree field-of-
view and arc-of-fire; particularly useful
for the contemporary operating environ-
ment which sees Special Forces requiring
high mobility as well as lethality for strike
missions.
The vehicle also has an underbelly
ground clearance of 0.6 metres/m (1.9
feet/ft) and fording clearance of 1.5m
(4.9ft), allowing it to transit across diffi-
cult terrain as is currently being encoun-
tered by French Special Forces teams de-
ployed to Africa’s Sahel.
With a gross vehicle weight compris-
ing eight tons, the Sherpa Special Forces
Light has the capability to carry a two ton
payload across its 3.5m (11.6ft) wheel-
base. However, the vehicle is more than
two metres in width (2.3m/7.5ft) mak-
ing it difficult to be carried internally
NATO SOF teams insert into the
Chinchilla Training Area in Spain
from a CV-22B tilt rotor aircraft ahead
of a MOUT scenario © NATO
onboard helicopters such as the Boeing
CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter
and Bell-Boeing CV/MV-22B Osprey
tilt-rotor. The Sherpa has a maximum
operational range of 100 kilometres/km
(62.1 miles) with a top speed of 110 ki-
lometres-per-hour (68.3 miles-per-hour).
Defence sources explained to Armada
how the vehicle could be fitted with a
variety of machine guns and support
weapons with options likely to include
Nexter’s MG 151 20mm cannon, 40mm
automatic grenade launcher as well as
smaller 12.7mm, 7.62mm and 5.56mm
machine gun options.
Meanwhile, the strategic nature of the
Arctic Circle continues to be appreciated
by Canada, Norway, Russia and the US,
with Canada recently receiving sizeable
funding for the future procurement of
equipment and technology over the next
ten years. In 2015, the Canadian Special
Operations Forces Command (CANSOF-
COM), which comprises the specialist unit
Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2); the Canadian
Special Operations Regiment (CSOR); 427
Direct Action operations continue to rely
upon the insertion of Special Forces by
rotary wing aircraft, in the form of Helicopter
Assault Forces, traditionally conducted in
dark hours © NATO
Special Operations Aviation Squadron,
and the Canadian Joint Incident Response
Unit–Chemical, Biological, Radiological
and Nuclear (CJIRU-CBRN), will receive
nearly $76.8 million in equipment as well
as an additional $192.2 million for the pro-
curement of the Next Generation Fighting
Vehicle (NGFV), Enhanced All Terrain
Vehicle (EATV) and Ultra Light Combat
Vehicle (ULCV).
Defence sources in Canada explained
to Armada how the vehicle programmes
are seen as an effort by the Canadian gov-
ernment to fulfil previous requirements
originally planned as part of the Marginal
Terrain Vehicle (MTV) which was can-
celled in July 2014 due to funding issues.
The MTV had been planned to provide
CANSOFCOM with a winter warfare
18 2016 Special Operations
mobility capability for operations in the
Arctic Circle, as a replacement for legacy
BAE Systems’ BV-206 ATVs. CANSOF-
COM is understood to have had plans
to procure a total of 17 MTVs, with the
additional capability for the vehicles to
perform operations in more conventional
environments including desert warfare.
Remaining funds will also be spent on
protection equipment including com-
bat helmets and body armour, as well as
command and control systems, commu-
nications and reconnaissance equipment,
plus crew-served weapons as well as
commercial-off-the-shelf, but upgraded,
tactical vehicles.
Officials within CANSOFCOM
explained to Armada how the NGFV
programme would eventually replace
older AM General High Mobility Multi
Wheeled Vehicles, some of which are be-
ing operated by the CSOR and JTF-2 in
Iraq today, as force elements continue
to train, assist and advise Kurdish guer-
rilla special mission units fighting ISIS.
One such source explained how the
NGFV capability would provide a “tacti-
cal multi-role vehicle (for) special opera-
tions-specific and unique tasks and roles,”
before adding: “The NGFV will procure
a modern and diverse multi-role vehicle
incorporating the prescribed equipment
and weapons load, mobility, survivability
of the crew and vehicle and sustainment
inherently required in the execution of
special operations tasks.”
The NGFV is currently in a concept
phase and a decision is expected later this

Capable of being transported internally inside
helicopters and tilt rotors, Polaris Defence’ MRZR-
4 is currently in service with US and coalition
special forces with additional contracts including
a Foreign Military Sale expected in the near future
© Polaris Defence
year with regards to an official solicitation two and four personnel respectively. Both
to industry with a request for information vehicles have already been procured by
and a request for proposals. A contract USSOCOM as part of a $83 million con-
for the programme, worth an undisclosed tract for delivery over a five year period.
sum, is expected to be made in 2018 with Additionally, undisclosed NATO mem-
CANSOFCOM force elements receiving bers in Europe are purchasing variants of
the NGFV until 2025. the vehicle.
On 1 February, CANSOFCOM cel- The MRZR-4 comprises optional rear-
ebrated its tenth birthday having been ward facing seats and includes capability
founded to provide a “more integrated to house a NATO-standard litter for ca-
and effective (Canadian) military” in 2006, sualty evacuation as well as optional, anti-
according to then chief of the defence rattle mounting brackets for jerry cans
staff, General Rick Hillier. A Canadian and spare tyres. Additional specifications
government spokesperson announced: include a collapsible roll-cage allowing for
“Ten years into its existence, CANSOF- transportation internally onboard a CV/
COM has proven itself as an integral na- MV-22B or CH-47F, a keyless ignition and
tional capability. It has conducted opera- electronic power steering. The vehicle also
tions domestically and around the world, includes optional infrared lighting. Mar-
particularly in combat theatres and coun- keted as “transportable, agile and mobile,”
tries at risk. Throughout the past decade the MRZR-4 has a top speed of 96km/h
its members have demonstrated a high (96mph). Its design allows troops to secure
level of professionalism and expertise: themselves in the vehicle prior to a tacti-
“Importantly, the Command has provided cal landing, allowing a rapid roll-off. This
(the) Department of National Defence compares favourably to the vehicle being
and the Government of Canada with a carried as an underslung load when the
unique capability that is unmatched else- vehicle must first be securely grounded
where in the Canadian Armed Forces or before being released from a helicopter be-
any other governmental department,” the fore operators can land or rappel down to
spokesperson concluded. the vehicle before mounting and continu-
Meanwhile, CANSOFCOM require- ing their mission. The MRZR-4 has a max-
ments for lighter-weight air transportable imum payload capacity of 680 kilograms/
options comprise the EATV and ULCV kgs (1496 pounds/lbs) and can carry four
requirements. To this end, CANSOFCOM personnel, or a crew of two with a litter
is understood to have evaluated Polaris capacity of two casualties. Rear seats can
Defence’s MRZR-2 and MRZR-4 all ter- be set to face forward or backwards, ac-
rain vehicles which are capable of carrying cording to user preference. A rear setting
would allow operators to either mount
a support weapon or use their personal
weapon to scan the ground behind the
vehicle while mobile. The MRZR-2 variant
features many of the same specifications as
the MRZR-4 although this slightly small-
er platform boasts a payload of 453kgs
(996lbs) as opposed to MRZR-4’s 680kgs.
According to Rich Haddad, Polaris
Defence’s general manager, the vehicle
provides an “ultralight mobility capabil-
ity, in configurable platforms providing
an ability to quickly prepare for missions
even in the most extreme terrain.” Ve-
hicles can be used for special reconnais-
sance tasks as well as direct action mis-
sions with MRZR-2/4 variants capable
of housing a variety of weapons ranging
from 5.56mm light machine guns and
7.62mm medium machine guns through
to automatic grenade launchers. Speak-
ing to Armada, Polaris Defence’ director
of international business development,
Doug Malikowski, described how the
market for such tactical vehicles was con-
tinuing to grow within the SOF commu-
nity, based on the contemporary operat-
ing environment. “Technology is going to
stay in this area but what we are looking
at is maximising the amount of weight
a vehicle can carry and we are taking a
look at how much longer legs that vehicle
can have because everybody wants to
lighten the platform and have significant
amounts of kits with them while having
to refuel as little as possible,” he explained.
Responding to such requirements,
Polaris is to unveil two new vehicle vari-
ants of the MRZR-2/4 at the Special Oper-
ations Forces Industry Conference (SOF-
IC) in Tampa this May. No further details
have been made available although Mr.
Malikovski explained that improvements
have been based upon customer feedback.
Elsewhere, Polaris confirmed that the first
tranche of Dagor vehicles has now been
supplied to the Australian Special Forces
with additional deliveries expected to run
through to 2018. Additionally, an undis-
closed number of Dagor vehicles have
completed a six-month trial process with
the United Arab Emirates’ Special Forces
in response to a requirement for a two
ton vehicle capable of being transported
by rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft.
Finally, Mr. Malikowski informed
Armada how the company had signed up
additional but undisclosed SOF customers
in Central Africa and in the Asia-Pacific
although he was unable to provide any
2016 Special Operations 19

further details. However, emphasising
the tactical utility of such vehicles, he ex-
plained: “When SOF teams move, they can
take these vehicles with them. That’s the is-
sue that’s come up over the past few years
with both US and allied Special forces
looking to move personnel fairly quickly.”
Meanwhile, the USSOCOM has now
completed its Initial Trial and Evaluation
phase for its Ground Mobility Vehicle
(GMV) 1.1 programme. Speaking to
Armada, Mike Iacobucci, business devel-
opment director for lightweight tactical
vehicle programmes at General Dynam-
ics Ordnance Tactical Systems (GDOTS),
described how the evaluation phase was
completed at the start of 2016 following
tests at the Nevada Automotive Test Centre
and Aberdeen Test Centre, Maryland on
the East Coast. Tests were overseen by the
20 2016 Special Operations
US Army Special Operations Command.
Centred around GDOTS’ Flyer 72 vehicle,
the GMV 1.1 test programme unearthed
approximately 70 issues regarding the op-
eration of the vehicle by US Special Forces
although the company is already working
through this list of modifications. Major
alterations include modifications of the
hood to allow for improved air intake as
well as modifications to the turret assembly
for the stowage of ammunition boxes.
In total, USSOCOM has a require-
ment for 1300 vehicles although 650 have
been funded to date. Initial deliveries
of the vehicle took place on 27 and 28
March with a total of 100 vehicles expect-
ed to be delivered to the USSOCOM over
the course of 2016. “Our goal is to get the
capability more broadly into the hands of
operators across the SOF community in
The Polaris Defence DAGOR tactical
vehicle has already been supplied to the
Australian Special Operations Command
which includes the Special Air Service
Regiment and 1st and 2nd Commando
Regiments © Polaris Defence
order to provide feedback as to modifica-
tions and design recommendations,” Mr.
Malikowski said. Vehicles will be oper-
ated by various parts of USSOCOM in-
cluding US Army Special Forces Groups,
the 75th Ranger Regiment, US Marine
Special Operations Command, Air Force
Special Operations Command and US
Navy SEALs: “Right now, the GMV 1.1
comprises an 80 percent solution but all
the services have specific requirements
for their vehicles and designs. We are
trying to accommodate that and differ-
ence in opinions as to how they want the
vehicle to react. It’s a challenge but shows
the modular nature of vehicle. We have
done a good job getting user feedback.”
Internationally, a Flyer 72 continues to
be evaluated by the UK MoD as well as
another undisclosed NATO country in
Europe which is set to receive a number
of vehicles as part of a $5.6 million For-
eign Military Sale contract: “This will
benefit other NATO countries inter-
ested in this particular vehicle type,” Mr.
Malikowski added.
Referring to another GDOTS SOF
programme, he continued to inform
Armada how the USSOCOM Internally
Transportable Vehicle (ITV) programme
remained on contract although the US
Air Force Special Operations Command
is awaiting the confirmation of funding
to procure an additional seven vehicles
beyond the three already purchased. The
ITV, based on the GDOTS Flyer 60, can
be transported inside a CV/MV-22B,
with a capacity to carry four personnel.
According to Mr. Malikowski, key mobil-
ity themes for SOF organisations include
interoperability and “overcoming the
tyranny of distance,” he explained: “Most
places where enemy forces are operating
are much further away and on purpose in
some cases, so in order to get our (SOF)
folks out there we need the ITV capability
when an aircraft hits the ground. Offset
by some distance, this allows teams to
rapidly move to a point on the ground
where the enemy forces are and employ
special operators. That’s the US model but
it’s safe to say, wherever the US want to
employ SOF, they will want to do it with
host nation SOF,” he added.
Belgium’s Special Forces Group (SFG)
is also set to receive new vehicles fol-
lowing an announcement on 19 January
to acquire 108 Jankel Group Fox Rapid
Reaction Vehicles. The Fox Long Range
Patrol Vehicle, according to the Jankel
Group, comprises a “militarised” Toyo-
ta Land Cruiser 79-Series chassis with
upgraded engine power, an improved
payload, better braking efficiency and
mobility. As a company spokesperson ex-
plained: “In today’s ever changing world,
tactical vehicles need to be able to fulfil a
variety of roles in order to offer the most
cost effective capability. The Fox responds
to this need, designed to provide leading
weight carrying capacity, alongside af-
fordability, high mobility and operational
versatility.” The Fox can be reconfigured
to fulfil a wide range of special missions
including: “Rapid reaction, light strike,
long range patrol, light/border patrol, re-
covery, surveillance and cargo/personnel
transport. It is an adaptable vehicle that
can be built to your chosen specification
for an identified purpose with modular
zoned protection as required. For exam-
ple, the Fox Rapid Reaction variant has
an ultra-high payload and fast action re-
tractable weapon mounts, while our Long
Range Patrol version includes an expan-
sive crew area, generous fuel capacity and
additional water and provisions storage,”
the spokesperson continued. “Upgrades
are undertaken on the base vehicle to
improve the power, electrics and payload.
The tubular superstructure is mounted
on the vehicle chassis providing a sturdy
firing platform and mounting points for
further equipment,” they concluded.
The vehicle has a maximum range of
1200km (745 miles) and can have its ar-
mour protection enhanced with Jankel’s
Modular Armour Protection Installation
Kit. The vehicle can also be internally
transported using a variety of aircraft
such as the A400M, C-130J and CH-47F.
Finally, the Fox has a maximum weight of
4.2 tonnes and maximum payload capac-
ity of 1.4 tonnes. It can also be fitted with
5.56mm light machine guns; 7.62mm
medium machine guns; .50-cal heavy
machine guns; and 40mm automatic gre-
nade launchers.
The SFG, meanwhile, comprises a tri-
service SOF formation, which can sup-
port Belgium’s Combined Arms Tasks
Groups on expeditionary warfare. The
unit is based at Heverlee in central Bel-
gium, with force elements specialising
in land, air and sea operations. Defence
GDOTS’ Flyer tactical vehicle, already selected for the US Special Operations Command’s
Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 programme, is also being marketed to Special Operations
Forces internationally © GDOTS
sources suggested to Armada how SFG
Combat Teams are likely to use the Fox
vehicles for special reconnaissance, direct
action and military assistance operations
including train, assist and advise initia-
tives in Africa as part of the US Special
Operations Command-Africa sponsored
Exercise FLINTLOOK (see above). Re-
ferring to such lethal mobility, one SFG
source explained to Armada: “Today is all
about counterinsurgency irregular war-
fare: Small groups that fight each other in
the cities in the conflict area, there is no
stable government anymore and combat-
ants no longer wear a recognisable uni-
form. The enemy is difficult to identify
and they are heavily armed fighters, en-
trenching themselves in buildings where
women and children can stay. You cannot
just bombard an entire neighbourhood,
because the collateral damage is incalcu-
lable,” they added.
Elsewhere in the mobility environ-
ment, the US Special Operations Com-
mand updated a solicitation on 16 Janu-
ary for the procurement of Non-Standard
Commercial Vehicles (NSCVs), routinely
used by special operations teams to
conduct more discreet and covert sets
including close protection, special re-
connaissance, and support and influ-
ence tasks. NSCVs allow teams to natu-
rally blend into surrounding areas, with
operators sometimes disguised in local
dress and make-up in order to survive a
2016 Special Operations 21

A US Navy SEAL, from the Naval Special Warfare Group 2, participates in close quarter
battle training with a Sig Sauer P226 9mm x 19mm handgun © NATO
‘first look’ by inquisitive onlookers. The
solicitation includes the acquisition of
‘civilian type’ vehicles in armoured and
non-armoured configurations with a
series of upgrades including brakes, sus-
pension, chassis reinforcements as well as
infrared lights and the ability to black out
conventional lights; the latter of which
can be used for the covert insertion and
extraction of operators. USSOCOM
sources explained to Armada how the
organisation was planning to purchase
predominantly Toyota Land Cruiser vari-
ants including Hilux Trucks and 76-, 78-,
79- and 200-series models. Additionally,
the Command will also acquire a number
of Ford Ranger trucks.
direct action, COIN and hostage rescue
operations. However, it appears the Finn-
ish Special Forces are yet to commit to the
SCAR-Heavy (SCAR-H) variant which
also fires a standard NATO 7.62mm x
51mm round. In the meantime, operators
will have access to the SAKO RK-95-TP
7.62mm x 39mm weapon for enhanced
lethality during operations.
Elsewhere, Sig Sauer’s MCX assault
rifle continues to be assessed by a few un-
disclosed SOF units worldwide, including
force elements from the USSOCOM. The
modular weapon, one of the first to fea-
ture an integrated suppressor, is available
in 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .300 Blackout
AAC calibre configurations. Over recent
years, suppressors have become signature
equipment for special operations units
seeking small arms to reduce noise, recoil
and muzzle flash while conducting mili-
tary operations in urban terrain. More
traditional suppressors attached to the
muzzle of an assault rifle have tended to
extend the length and profile of a weap-
on, sometimes making it slightly more
cumbersome for more covert operations
including close protection and mobility-
based operations.
The MCX comprises a gas operated
mechanism with an operator capable of
making calibre changes in the field, ac-
cording to the manufacturer with com-
pany literature explaining: “The MCX
stands as the first rifle built to be (sup-
pressed( from the ground up. It also ac-
cepts a broad array of accessories, en-
abling you to build a complete weapon
system for any scenario or environment.”

I Lethality
Despite a plethora of new variations of
weapon systems on display at the SHOT
Show in Las Vegas, between 19 and 22
January, drastic changes in the utility of
small arms remain few and far between
although there has been some movement
with certain SOF organisations purchasing
new weapons. The most recent highlights
saw Finnish Defence Force (FDF) Special
Forces select FN Herstal’s Special Opera-
tions Combat Assault Rifle-Light (SCAR-
L) in February 2015. Retaining the stan-
dard NATO calibre of 5.56mm x 45mm,
operators from the Utti Jaegar Regiment Finland’s Special Forces have selected the FN Herstal 5.56mm Special Operations Combat
and ETO Naval Special Warfare Unit will Assault Rifle-Light and is also considering the 7.62mm SCAR-Heavy (illustrated)
now operate the weapon when conducting © Finnish MoD

22 2016 Special Operations


SSE techniques are used to gather
intelligence after arrest and detention
operations against High Value Targets; a
popular concept of operation conducted
in the Middle East over the past decade
© NATO
I TALOS
Meanwhile, the USSOCOM Tactical Light
Assault Operator Suit (TALOS) programme
continues to progress with the Command’s
Programme Executive Office for Special
Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Exploi-
tation announcing on 17 February, a next
phase to prove technology in the areas of
command and control. The aim of the five-
year TALOS concept, which is due to un-
veil a Technology Demonstrator in 2018, is
to provide maximum protection, lethality,
mobility and connectivity to SOF cadres,
particularly in regards to direct action op-
erations in congested environments such as
urban terrain.
The TALOS programme was launched
in 2013 by former USSOCOM Com-
mander, Admiral Bill McRaven, who was
unhappy at the number of casualties and
fatalities inflicted upon his forces follow-
ing years of high-tempo kinetic operations
in Afghanistan and Iraq. To date, US-
SOCOM’s Joint Acquisition Task Force
(JATF) has conducted tests of a prototype
to prove the integration of a mechanised
exoskeleton and weight-supporting tech-
nology, with liquid body armour solutions,
a centralised power hub and maxillofacial-
protected combat helmets with head-up
display. The programme’s next step seeks
to identify “several specific technology ar-
eas of interest to deliver asymmetric (ad-
vantages) to … SOF,” USSOCOM docu-
ments explain. The programme office has
called for the drafting of White Papers re-
garding areas of interest including Tagging,
Tracking and Locating (TTL) technology;
biometrics and forensics systems; Signals
Intelligence (SIGINT); Geographic Intel-
ligence, and Imagery Intelligence exploita-
tion tools; and low-visibility communica-
tions systems. TTL technologies comprise
Global Positioning System (GPS) and
non-GPS tagging systems for operations
in conventional and disadvantaged areas
such as urban, maritime, jungle and sub-
terranean environments.
The USSOCOM is particularly inter-
ested in solutions which can reduce ex-
isting systems into smaller sizes with re-
duced weight and power requirements. In
the area of biometrics, the JATF is seeking
technologies to “collect, analyse and dis-
tribute various physical parameters that
can be used to identify personnel,” official
documents revealed. USSOCOM’s aim is
to integrate a modular solution on board
combat helmets capable of identifying
high value targets at undisclosed ranges
when conducting arrest and interdiction
operations: “There is particular interest in
technologies with a small form factor that
provide the capability to rapidly identify
personnel (in less than two minutes), re-
duce false alarm rates and/or offer novel
approaches at short to long distances in
all environmental conditions,” USSO-
COM documents added. Technologies
of interest to this end include facial and
iris capturing technology as well as pro-
cessing, exploitation and disseminating
technology allowing for matching against
databases as well as a “rapid and portable”
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) collection
system. In the area of forensics, the JATF
is seeking a product line for the collection
and processing of “physical and electron-
ic information obtained from target loca-
tions either forward or at an Exploitation
Analysis Centre (a deployable laboratory-
like shelter).”
According to official documentation,
USSOCOM has a short-term require-
ment to “process media devices on or
near target locations and obtain as much
information as possible in 30 minutes or
less”. with a particular focus on the iden-
tification and classification of chemical
weapons. Such technology is routinely
used by SOF units as part of Sensitive Site
Exploitation (SSE) operations, generally
Sig Sauer’s MCX features an
integrated suppressor, providing
a smaller form factor assault rifle
or personal defence weapon for
Special Forces troops © Sig Sauer
2016 Special Operations 23
Military free-fall parachuting continues
to be practised by SOF forces although
its practical application during COIN
operations means that it is not used in
significant amounts © US DoD
conducted once a compound or build-
ing associated with a High Value Target
(HVT) has been dominated and con-
trolled by assaulting special operations
teams. Intelligence generated at such a
location, when combined with tactical
questioning of HVTs and associated per-
sonnel can often lead to the generation of
follow-on missions, sometimes in the im-
mediate aftermath of a particular mission.
Typically, SSE operations are con-
ducted by SOF operators in assault
teams hence the reason why the NATO
Special Operations Headquarters con-
tinues to provide SSE courses to mem-
bers of the community. However, should
a commander deem it necessary, foren-
sics specialists can be attached to special
operations teams for the more efficient
exploitation of a target. Forensic require-
ments include the capture of suitable
imagery of target devices; location and
24 2016 Special Operations
extraction of personal identifying infor-
mation including names, addresses, tele-
phone numbers, e-mail addresses, chat
user names, social media user names for
comparison with a centralised database;
extraction of documents, images, e-mail,
calendar entries, messaging tools, and
social media files, user-configuration
settings and memory device character-
istics. Furthermore, technology must
be capable of identifying software used
by HVTs to encrypt, conceal or delete
information as well as an ability to ex-
tract and recover deleted messages. The
device should be able to save all captured
data in the event of an interruption such
as a rapid disconnection, should forces
performing an SSE have to leave the
scene quickly.
With regards to SIGINT, the TALOS
JATF is seeking a system to intercept and
pinpoint Radio Frequency (RF) com-
munications across land, sea and air
environments. Technology to be con-
sidered includes specialised waveforms
integrated into readily programmable
and reconfigurable tactical radios and RF
sensing receivers. Requirements call for
algorithms capable of detecting, classify-
ing and exploiting SIGINT in near real-
time, providing RF-based geo-location
and direction-finding signal processing.
A glimpse into the future in this regard
can be seen with Epiq Solutions of Illi-
nois’ Skylight Multi-Technology Cellular
Scanner. This product is a pocket-sized
cellular scanner which is easy to use
thanks to its Android application ar-
chitecture which can display its survey
results using the Google Earth ‘app’. The
Skylight performs real-time analysis to
survey and analyse RF usage in a par-
ticular locale. It can also provide analysis
of network coverage and the quality of
 September 6-11
Patriot Expocenter
Moscow Region,
Russia

www.rusarmyexpo.com
Organizer:

2016 Special Operations 25

Ministry of Defence

Night vision capability continues to provide SOF forces the tactical advantage over
adversaries, to support counter-insurgency operations worldwide © NATO
service, while logging and exporting
survey information to other users. Ef-
fectively, Skylight places SIGINT directly
into the hands of the user which could
prove useful to SOF cadres now and in
the future.
Industry will be given until 31 De-
cember 2016 to supply the JATF with
White Papers on the relative subject areas.
Meanwhile, the global SOF community
continues to play very close attention to
the TALOS capability with 2018’s tech-
nology demonstration potentially set to
revolutionise TTPs currently utilized by
such forces during MOUT.
I Conclusion
On 23 February, the Global SOF Foun-
dation met for its annual symposium,
highlighting the strategic importance
of such force elements in the contem-
I index to advertisers
ARMY 25
AUSI COVER 3
EPIQ SOLUTION 5
GENERAL ATOMIC AERONAUTICAL
SYSTEMSCOVER 4
26 2016 Special Operations
porary and future operating environ-
ment. With speakers including former
USSOCOM commander Bill McRaven
and Deputy SACEUR (Supreme Allied
Commander Europe) General Sir Adrian
Bradshaw, delegates heard how 2015 saw
a “persistent and expanded threat from
non-state actors.”
Looking ahead to 2016, the Founda-
tion described how it would foresee in-
creased utilization of SOF internationally,
with the provision of the “most capable
and affordable instruments in protect-
ing security in a time when adversaries
remain prolific and threats extend past
national borders.” The next year will be a
busy one for the international SOF com-
munity and with barriers to entry now
lifted allowing the inclusion of women
into many forces, the utilization of SOF
looks set to only increase.
INVISIO COVER 2
ITEC 7
SOFEX 17
UDT 11
ON THE COVER: TALOS, the US Special Operations
Command’s Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit continues
to pave developmental work as part of a drive to design
enhanced lethality, protection, mobility and C2 © Revision
Special Operations Compendium
Supplement to Issue 2/2016
Volume 40, Issue No. 2, April/May 2016
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