View From The Hill
Working to Support Our SOF Soldiers
STATUS OF THE FY2007 BUDGET AND THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND LOW-INTENSITY CONFLICT
Before 1987, U.S. special operations forces operated on an impromptu basis. They were often used to the point of exhaustion and then disbanded once a specific crisis had passed. Since then, however, special operations forces have participated in a wide range of global military operations, including peacetime engagement and a major theater war, Operation Desert Storm. Today, they are engaged in the most important operation since their inception— the global war on terrorism.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it became clear that the United States was facing an enemy far different from those in the past. Because terrorists have global reach and significant resources, our military’s posture and role in combating and defeating global terrorism has had to change to address these issues. Winning the global war on terrorism now requires a U.S. offensive comprised of multi-faceted warriors—SOF that can be trained to apply a mixture of skills—covertness, discreet force, intelligence collection, reconnaissance and direct assault tactics—to seek out terrorists and prevent them from bringing future harm to the country. SOF forces used these skills [to] effectively to hunt down the Taliban in the caves of Afghanistan, and they are now actively and effectively pursuing al Qaeda and former Iraqi and Afghanistan regime leadership targets.
To better assist our special operators with this mission, it is important that they receive the training that is necessary to make them effective on the field. During my tenure in Congress and as the co-chairman of the Special Operations Forces Caucus, I have represented all or parts of Fort Bragg, which is home to USASOC (United States Army, Special Operations Command) and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)—vital components of the U.S. Special Operations Command. USASOC and JSOC work together to prepare our special operators for various missions, including special operations, psychological operations, and civil affairs operations. They organize, train, educate, equip and deploy the SOF forces that are on the frontlines of the war on terror.
I have also represented Camp Lejeune, which is now home to Marine Special Operations Command. Although my district no longer includes the installation, I am pleased that the addition of the Marine Special Operations Command will enable Marines to directly support current SOF missions at home and abroad. Among other important priorities, MARSOC units will be capable of task-organizing as scalable and responsive special operations units from sea-based platforms as well as from United States locations.
Of course, any mention of SOF commands must also include the Naval Special Warfare Command and the Air Force Special Operations Command which also contribute to the seamless approach of working together and with USASOC, JSOC and MARSOC to prepare our special operators for worldwide military operations. Here in Congress, my colleagues on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and I are working to ensure that we do our part to meet the needs of our special operators and the officials who are charged with leading them into the battlefield. At the beginning of the 108th Congress, we created a new subcommittee, the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, which has complete jurisdiction over the U.S. special operations forces and on which I have the opportunity to serve. This influential subcommittee has been a strong advocate for our SOF forces. We have worked to highlight the need for additional troops and the importance of keeping our seasoned special operators. In addition, we have been successful in securing additional funding for our SOF forces by highlighting their successes in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is essential that we continue to ensure that SOF is prepared to operate in all geographic regions and environments in times of peace and war.
For FY2007, the budget includes an increase in the size and capabilities of SOF. Specifically, the budget increases the number of active duty SOF battalions by 33 percent and expands psychological operations and civil affairs personnel by 33 percent to provide support for SOF and the Army’s modular force. The budget also funds MARSOC to conduct special reconnaissance and other missions, establishes a SOF unmanned aerial vehicle squadron and increases the number of SEAL teams to provide added maritime capability for a total amount of $28.7 billion in FY2007- 2011. These additions to the overall SOF mission are important, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to ensure that adequate funding is provided to our SOF warriors.
Recently, during a House Armed Services Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee hearing on the SOCOM budget, I asked General Brown if there was validity to the news reports regarding the potential elimination of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. His response was that there are no current plans to eliminate this office. I am pleased to know that the office will not be eliminated as it is an important element to the various SOF issues that fall under its jurisdiction.
Each and every day, our U.S. special operations forces, along with our other servicemen and women in all the branches of our military, put themselves in harms way to fight for our nation’s freedoms here at home and abroad. As the Congress considers measures important to our special forces, I am encouraged by the victories of our SOF forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I look forward to working on new investments that will support our special operators and their missions in the future. They have been given the lead responsibility for waging the global war on terrorism and keeping terrorists far from our shores. Therefore, it is our job in the Congress to support their new role and ensure that they have the equipment, technology and resources needed to get the jobdone. And by God’s grace, we will! ♦