Getting Down to Business the Rise of Military Free-Fall

VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 FEB/MAR 2018 A SHEPHARD MEDIA PUBLICATION

SPECIAL-OPS.COM

Getting down to business The rise of military free-fall

SOCPAC FOCUS Preparing for Pacific uncertainties

SOF-01-18_OFC.indd 2 3/6/2018 10:23:22 AM TRUSTED BY INDUSTRY LEADERS IN DEPTH BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE GLOBAL IN OUR REACH

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FullSOF-01-18_IFC.indd page general advert 2 - US size.indd 1 2/28/201828/02/2018 3:38:14 11:41:32 PM CONTENTS

Editor Scott R. Gourley [email protected] 3 EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE FEATURE

Asia-Pacific Editor Balancing act 19 TAKING COMMAND Gordon Arthur [email protected] When he took charge of Pacific Special Operations North America Editor 4 NEWS Command (SOCPAC) in May 2017, MajGen Daniel Ashley Roque [email protected] •Army Rangers desire dog devices Yoo became the first Marine to lead a theater-level Europe Consultant •NSWC looks toward future mandates special operations command. With special thanks Andrew White •Barrett highlights multi-role weapon design to both SOCPAC and Special Warfare magazine, Contributors Angus Batey, Gerrard Cowan, •Profense moves “beyond the minigun” Yoo shares his experience to date. Erwan de Cherisey, David C. Isby •Paradigm enhances sniper precision Production and Circulation Manager •USSOCOM awards PDW contract FEATURE David Hurst •Composite Command for SOF triumvirate 22 GETTING SERIOUS Production Editor Elaine Effard Both Japan and South Korea are taking steps to

Sub-editor FEATURE ensure that they are by no means helpless should Georgina Smith 7 THE RISE OF THE FALL North Korea’s sustained aggressive posturing Digital Development Manager Military free-fall, with its unique ability to place develop into actual offensive action. Aiding them Adam Wakeling personnel in high-risk areas covertly, is in this endeavor are their Australian and US allies. Graphic Designer increasingly being used in operational situations. Kam Bains However, to achieve the level of skill required for FEATURE Commercial Manager Peter Rawlins [email protected] the technique is no small task. E 25 URBAN CONCERNS Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2590 With ever-increasing populations within urban Junior Sales Executive FEATURE areas, militaries globally must be prepared to Mark Knops [email protected] 12 CALL OF THE WILDCAT undertake operations in busy, built-up Head of Advertising Sales Kevin Bethell [email protected] The story of how the .338 Norma Magnum round environments. Manufacturers are stepping up Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2587 came to be is certainly not the most conventional, to this challenge, with sniper solutions designed VP Business Development but its efficiency and consistency means that it is especially for this eventuality. Mike Wild lauded on the battlefield.Shephard considers Editor-in-Chief Richard Thomas what the future holds for this ammunition. INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

VP Content 28 SOLUTION SEEKING Tony Skinner FEATURE Michael Windfeldt, president and CEO of Maxim CEO 15 IN THE THICK OF IT Defense Industries, identifies a number of the Darren Lake In his command interview, SOCPAC Commander company’s emerging efforts which have Chairman MajGen Daniel Yoo notes that the Indo-Asia- application to the SOF community. Nick Prest Pacific region is “as diverse as it is expansive.” Subscriptions [email protected] With special thanks to SOCPAC and Special +44 (0)20 3179 2592 Warfare magazine, Shephard presents an Page 12 Special Operations Forum is published overview of potential threats as seen by service six times a year by The Shephard Press Ltd, Saville Mews, 30 Saville Road, London, W4 planners as of the end of 2017. 5HG, UK. All Rights Reserved. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of The Shephard Press Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers.

Special Operations Forum is free to qualified members of the US military, employees of the US government and non-US foreign service based in the United States

All others: $75 per year. Front cover: US and allied SOF conduct a military free-fall “friendship jump” over Qatar in 2017. (Photo: US DoD) Foreign: $159 per year.

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WWW.SPECIAL-OPS.COMWWW.SPECIAL-OPS.COM VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORUM 1

SOF-01-18_p01_Contents.indd 1 2/28/2018 10:53:48 AM THE th

, 2018 , 2018

www.sofexjordan.com

SOF-01-18_p02_Sofex.indd 2 28/02/2018 11:45:42 EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Scott R. Gourley, Editor Balancing act

The recent release of the US National In addition to our SOCPAC focus, the In the next issue Military Strategy and National Defense issue includes Andrew White’s glimpse at Strategy serves to provide clarity across the international special operations activities DoD on a range of concepts and priorities. and capabilities in South Korea as well • Individual equipment Along with that clarity, many sections of as the lesser-known special operations • Close air support the unclassified National Defense Strategy capacity developed within the Japan Self- • Augmented reality summary highlight the criticality of the exact Defense Forces. types of operations and activities that SOF David Isby looks at the range of Military • Combat medicine conduct around the world on a daily basis. As Free-Fall operations, the capabilities envisioned in the strategy, future scenarios they provide to SOF and the equipment will only increase DoD reliance on the unique mandates to further expand the Within many of those sniper programs, skill sets and capabilities provided by SOF. effectiveness of those operations. elements of the SOF community, particularly For example, in identifying DoD objectives, those from the US, have exhibited a growing the strategy emphasizes the need to interest in the .338 Norma Magnum (.338 maintain “favorable regional balances of With an area of NM) cartridge. Reflective of that interest, power in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, the Middle responsibility Shephard has kicked off a new periodic East, and the Western Hemisphere.” spanning more than “Ballistics” feature series with an interview It is hardly coincidental that this issue with Jimmie Sloan, who is credited as the of SOF highlights the capabilities and half the globe, United States designer of both the .338 NM and .300 NM operational threat environments of both US Pacific Command covers cartridges. and international SOF across the first of 36 nations, more than half We close this issue with an “Industry those identified regions. Perspective” from Michael Windfeldt, the world’s population, president and CEO at Maxim Defense Diverse region more than 3,000 different Industries. We met with Windfeldt on a With an area of responsibility spanning languages and two of the range during SHOT Show and, against some more than half the globe, United States significant background noise, he shared Pacific Command covers 36 nations, more world’s major geopolitical some thoughts about his company’s than half the world’s population, more than flashpoints. evolution in the special operations market 3,000 different languages and two of the and the larger defense space. world’s major geopolitical flashpoints – in the South China Sea and on the Korean All change Peninsula. Across that region and its myriad Along with his regional SOF feature, Andrew Finally, on a personal note, with this issue I challenges, the command is supported by White also provides readers with a look at am honored to move into the role as Editor of elements of Special Operations Command many recent SOF sniper rifle programs, from SOF. In this role, I look forward to identifying Pacific (SOCPAC). the requirements process through fielding and balancing issues and stories of interest This issue includes a perspective from and sustainment. The article reflects input to the entire special operations community the SOCPAC commander, MajGen Daniel from Shephard’s recent attendance at SHOT as well as their industry partners. And we are Yoo, as well as a look at the dynamic threat Show, in Las Vegas, Nevada, where we had always looking for new ideas, so please feel environment in which elements of his a number of informative engagements with free to share your thoughts when we cross command operate. materiel developers. paths at a future venue. ▪ WWW.SPECIAL-OPS.COM VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORUM 3

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Army Rangers Photo: DoD desire dog devices

US Army Special Operations Command The canines, which range from “small” (USASOC) has released an RfI to identify (under 70lb) to “medium” in size (over 70lb), sources capable of providing Multi-Purpose have tactical equipment requirements that capacity to: mount to a rail system on the Canine (MPC) Tactical Equipment in support include vests, and camera and sensor systems. MPC tactical vest; transmit video in a secure of the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Regimental MPC tactical vests, for example, will weigh fashion to the handler; and record in low Dog Program (RDP). The RDP falls within the 1.5-3lb and are a custom fit for each dog. light settings with no ambient or indicator unit’s Regimental Special Troops Battalion. The designs include: “quick release buckles; lights visible during operation. According to the draft statement of work, various load bearing loops; rappelling straps; Characteristics of the MPC sensor system the RDP trains MPCs and their handlers front and back handles; and [an] accessory include: a green light; IR light; high-power in support of Ranger combat operations rail system.” strobes; programmable voice command, with around the world. It instructs teams from The desired MPC camera system element remote light activation, voice commands and all three Ranger Battalions through a will: weigh no more than 2lb, including the dropping of markers; a maximum weight Beginner’s Handler Course and an Advanced battery; be waterproof, protected with a of 8oz and size of 3x3x1.5in; waterproof Handler’s Course (AHC) throughout the year. cover; and be mounted on a flexible arm, capability of complete submersion; and All Ranger Dog Teams travel to Fort Benning, allowing rotation and pivoting of the camera. operable for at least 36h. Georgia, to conduct the AHC. Additional system features include the By Scott R. Gourley, California NSWC looks toward future mandates future role in holding the VEO threat in check structure hasn’t changed much since the Photo: author would be continued in concert with law early 90s and I think I can look at some enforcement, the intelligence community and reform in my own organizational design to foreign partners. be more lethal and be more modernized.” Szymanski noted that SOF’s role in the He noted that the Command’s “pretty gray zone could also include other responses unique surface and subsurface capabilities” “below the threshold of conflict with are being coupled with an emphasis on potentially less risk.” innovation and technology – including AI, AR He pointed out that “a lot of what I’ve been and VR – to support “decision dominance.” doing over my time in command is really “The CNO [Chief of Naval Operations] While Naval Special Warfare Command trying to reestablish, particularly for the talks about seeking to understand more (NSWC) will continue its role in opposing near-peer adversary piece, a return to quickly and then being able to apply that in violent extremist organizations (VEOs), interoperability with the Navy as well as real time, whether that’s a kinetic kill chain future planning will also address both the Marine Corps and as well as the other or non-kinetic kill chain, and there are ways near-peer and potential high-end fights. partners, because we’re going to rely on that to speed that up,” he explained. “As an That was the message from a senior support in the gray-zone fight.” example, he who dominates in AI is going to Naval service panel at February’s West The importance of a “whole international dominate in the decision space. 2018 event in San Diego, California. community effect” approach, incorporating “The challenge with the gray zone is Speaking on the subject of “How can we regional, traditional and non-traditional not simply a matter of resources,” he dominate the ‘gray zone’ between war and alliances and partnerships was highlighted. concluded. “It’s a matter of orienting peace?” RAdm Tim Szymanski, Commander, He pointed to specific examples, saying: ourselves, organizationally and NSWC, acknowledged that the SOF fight “Just look at some of the things… that we’re conceptually, to meet the challenge. The against VEO conducted by “Naval Special doing in northeast Syria with non-traditional reality is gaining time. He who can gain Warfare and SOF writ large” would remain “a partners, and other partners in Somalia.” time and get that decision dominance I constant in the strategic environment.” The NSWC Commander said that his think will be the victor, whether it’s a gray- He continued: “We know that. That’s preparations for the future also include looking zone fight or even a high-end fight.” not a gray-zone issue,” adding that SOF’s at underlying structures, observing: “My By Scott R. Gourley, San Diego

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SOF-01-18_p04-06_News.indd 4 2/27/2018 3:55:02 PM NEWS Barrett highlights Photo: Barrett multi-role weapon design

Barrett Firearms Manufacturing has been adjusted for barrel length etc. Other highlighting its Multi-Role Adaptive Design features include a folding stock to create (MRAD) precision weapon and its potential a compact carry configuration, push-button role in special operations applications. length of pull and adjustable cheek piece According to company president Chris with a lock knob. Barrett, MRAD is “a completely configurable Barrett said the rifle’s “modular design will long-range precision system” that can allow it to grow with the users. In fact, it’s support multiple calibers. been adopted or is in use in 22 different “We’ve fired it in .338 Lapua Magnum countries in some configuration so it’s a very down to 6.5[mm] Creedmoor,” he said. “It proven system at this point.” Profense moves runs all the popular long-range precision He continued: “We’ve put it to a lot of trials “beyond the minigun” calibers, like the .300 Win Mag, and the new with military users. We respond very quickly .300 and .338 Norma Magnums. We’ve to their feedback on any of our systems and Profense LLC has outlined plans to expand been shooting the Norma Magnums that’s what has grown and matured this rifle its offerings beyond its current PF M134 extensively, since there is a lot of interest in into the MRAD we see today.” minigun and related accessories. those. And the system is just so adaptable to While there has been no “official” As an example, company business every caliber because just two bolts on the adoption by the US military community, development director Rajan Bhavnani upper receiver component allow the barrel to Barrett noted that “they have several” and pointed to the Profense Articulated be removed and changed.” that the company hopes to see US fielding in Response Mount, a bolt-on self-contained In addition to reconfiguring for caliber, 2018 or 2019. M134 weapon system that can be installed the design allows the weapon to be By Scott R. Gourley, Las Vegas in a variety of platform configurations. “Nobody has made anything like that,” offered company president Travis Clement. “It’s fully self-contained. The only thing Paradigm enhances sniper precision that comes off it are the brass and links when they are exhausted.” Paradigm SRP says it is addressing process of making sales to them, so word They pointed to a range of features on needs emerging from the SOF community gets out.” their M134 design, including: digital gun with the Talon high-precision stabilized Paradigm recently invited Shephard to control unit, with ammunition display and weapon system. an aerial demonstration, equipping the two fire buttons with dual rates of fire According to John Lindsey, VP of Talon with an HK417 and mounting it – via (1,000-4,000rpm); a booster that pushes operations, the current Talon design is a its universal mounting plate – in the side ammunition up from the can to the gun; compact man-portable (64lb) platform door of a commercial helicopter. The same ergonomic grips; redesigned feeder/ designed to stabilize sniper weapon design flexibility also facilitates both de-linker; single tang firing bolt; and an systems, allowing precise engagements of maritime and ground vehicle applications. “aeroclamp” muzzle device that draws air point targets out to 711yd and beyond for In addition to a range of sniper rifles, across the rotating barrels to cool them 7.62x51mm weapons. the current Talon can also fire the during firing. Although originally developed for tactical 5.56mm M249 series belt-fed squad One future product slated for near-term law enforcement applications, Lindsey automatic weapon. unveiling is the PF 50 .50 caliber said: “The immediate customer response Paradigm plans to introduce the Asp electrically powered machine gun that came from the armed forces – the spec design later this year, a 75lb package will couple the same technology being ops side of things… To get into the capable of carrying 7.62mm belt-fed used in the M134 with the M2 heavy barrel market, we started to approach the law weapons and .50cal sniper rifles. machine gun. According to Clement, the enforcement side, but at the same time we By Scott R. Gourley, Las Vegas rate of fire “is going to be better than had these SOF operators saying: ‘We need 650rpm. We’d like it to be higher, but we’re something like this now.’” in late-stage development so we haven’t Lindsey pointed to an “international ramped it up to that point yet.” working group” focused on sniper systems For more news, visit The company is also conducting early and technologies, adding: “We have done R&D into a new line of small arms systems demonstrations for two of the countries in www.special-ops.com in 5.56mm, 7.62mm and 9mm. the working group and we are in the By Scott R. Gourley, Las Vegas

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SOF-01-18_p04-06_News.indd 5 2/27/2018 3:55:16 PM NEWS USSOCOM awards PDW contract Photo: SIG Sauer USSOCOM has satisfied its Personal Defense “minutes” and in field conditions, defense Weapon (PDW) requirement with a sole sources explained to Shephard. source contract awarded to SIG Sauer, SIG Sauer’s MCX PDW kit is understood and kits which met the government’s according to the Federal Business to represent a variant of its MCX Rattler requirements for a [COTS] conversion kit for Opportunities website. carbine. The weapon system has been the M4A1 to create a [PDW].” In a statement published on February 1, designed to satisfy special operations A total of ten PDW kits will be supplied to 2018, US Army Contracting Command requirements calling for increased lethality in Naval Surface Warfare Centre, Crane Division announced the contract, worth an a smaller form factor, suitable for operating in Indiana for evaluation. Components included undisclosed sum, for SIG Sauer MCX PDW in confined spaces as well as during covert in the contract include: the SIG Sauer MCX conversion kits in order to “satisfy the operations when it can be concealed. SIG PDW .300BLK Upper Receiver Group with 5.5in government’s requirement for the Special Sauer was unable to comment on the barrel; MCX 5.56x45mm barrel; SRD 7.62mm Operations Command.” specific PDW design. Suppressor and Handguard; Folding/ The decision follows an initial solicitation However, USSOCOM requirements call Telescoped and Skeleton Buttstocks with published on March 9, 2017 calling for a for a maximum weapon weight of 5.5lb, Adaptor Kit; Quick Detachment Sling Adaptor; conversion kit capable of upgrading the a maximum length of 26in and accuracy Polymer Rifle Case; Wilcox Boss .300BLK in-service 5.56x45mm Colt Defense M4A1 objective of 2.0MOA at 100yd. Optic; ten .300BLK magazines; and SIG Sauer into a 7.62x35mm (.300 BLK [Blackout]) According the Army’s contract award Juliet 4x magnifier. caliber carbine. This can be achieved announcement, SIG Sauer was the “only Deliveries are expected to be completed over through the replacement of the upper company identified through market research the course of Q2 2018, the solicitation added. receiver and buttstock in a matter of that could provide the necessary [PDW] parts By Andrew White, London

Composite Command for SOF triumvirate An MoU regarding the generation of focused on the generation of an HQ generation. That will take some years to Composite Special Operations Component component, which will be staffed with achieve FOC status.” Command (C-SOCC) by Belgium, Denmark personnel from across the various special The MoU is also expected to initiate and the Netherlands is, pending political operations force components of the three C-SOCC’s interest in establishing a bid for approval in the three countries, expected countries. The nucleus of the C-SOCC will be a first contribution to the NATO Response to be signed in March 2018, a senior generated from the various SOCOM HQs in Force (NRF). However, Timmermans source has disclosed. Aalborg, Brussels and The Hague. warned: ‘We are not there yet, but the Speaking to Shephard in mid-January, Tactical units will include special operations shortfall NATO now has in its special Col Maurice Timmermans, Chief of Staff, units from: Belgium’s Special Forces Group; operations component assets [for the Task Force Netherlands SOCOM, Denmark’s Jaegercorps and Naval Special NRF] is the driver of this project. explained that defense ministers and Warfare unit and the Netherland’s Korps “If we bid C-SOCC for NRF, according to special operations commanders from the Commandotroepen and MARSOF. NATO doctrine, the headquarters would countries continue to work on the MoU. The MoU will also stipulate command have to come up with SOTGs Land, Maritime The development follows a letter of intent appointments across the C-SOCC, and Air, although other countries can also agreed to in February 2017 by defense including a Commanding General, Deputy be asked to come up with task groups to fit ministers of the three countries aimed at Commander and Chief of Staff. Posts in with C-SOCC.” creating a centralized special operations HQ are expected to rotate between Belgium, NATO HQ in Brussels and several capable of commanding a maximum of six Denmark and the Netherlands. member states are awaiting with Special Operations Task Groups (SOTGs) Describing how the C-SOCC is aiming to interest the outcome of the MoU, as it and a Special Operations Air Task Group achieve full operating capability (FOC) by 2020, is seen as an innovative and valuable Component in support of NATO operations. Timmermans said: “After the MoU, we will start approach to capacity-building within the According to Timmermans, ongoing building the system with individual training NATO SOF domain. development of the C-SOCC remains of staff officers, collective training and force By Andrew White, London

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WO David Lewis approaches the drop zone during his military free-fall qualification jump over Paddy’s Field in Mechanicsburg, THE RISE Pennsylvania. (Photo: Diana Dawa) Military free-fall, with its unique ability to place personnel in high-risk areas OF THE FALL covertly, is increasingly being in recent years. Increased investment, The preferred technique is HALO, opening used in operational situations. advanced-design parachutes and specialized parachutes at “the lowest possible safe However, to achieve the level mission equipment has made MFF – and altitude” between 3,500-6,000ft. However, the personnel trained for it – valuable. HALO requires a transport aircraft to fly of skill required for the The capability of MFF to covertly insert within a few miles of a DZ. Increased technique is no small task. SOF or pathfinders within observation or standoff is possible from HAMO, opening striking range of the enemy increases stealth parachutes at a preset altitude between By David Isby and survivability, reducing risks to aircraft 6,000-12,000ft. The greatest standoff and jumpers alike. However, it requires a requires HAHO, with parachutes opening he ability for warriors to travel high level of skill, appropriate equipment after 5-15s of free fall, potentially allowing a together through the air – without and, above all else, training. transport aircraft up to 20 miles of standoff T an aircraft – arriving unobserved from the DZ. and ready to fight or carry out the most Daring drops Pathfinder units were among the first complex mission is made possible by The use of MFF allows SOF to land in to use the strategy, allowing covert and military free-fall (MFF) parachuting drop zones (DZs) that are otherwise accurate insertion to secure and mark DZs techniques – HALO, HAMO and HAHO (high inaccessible without alerting the enemy for follow-on parachute forces. In 1970, altitude jumping, low, medium and high- or penetrating air defenses such as man- HALO techniques were used to place altitude parachute opening). portable surface-to-air missiles. High- US Army SOF reconnaissance teams in Although MFF has been used by SOF, altitude jumps are normally made from Southeast Asia. In 1991, the teams used pathfinders and other military parachutists 12-25,000ft, but potentially can be made MFF to jump into northern Iraq during since the 1950s, it has gained importance at up to 30-35,000ft. Operation Desert Storm and, more

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Gen Riho Terras, Chief of Defense of Estonia, sits through a HALO jump simulator at the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) rigger shed during his visit to Fort Carson, Colorado, in November 2017. (Photo: US Army)

recently, in Afghanistan and Iraq; HALO period. In 2015, SOCOM carried out a British SOF have had an operational SOF insertions in Iraq started in 2007. In comprehensive review of its tactics, capability since the early 1960s. This had 2012, US Navy SEAL Team 6 used a HAHO technique and procedures. All training atrophied in recent years, with the conflicts jump to carry out a rescue mission in was halted for three months until changes in Iraq and Afghanistan absorbing resources. Somalia that freed two aid workers being were implemented, including at the Army’s As these commitments were wound down, held hostage. joint-service Advanced MFF and MFF investment in bringing back capability Jumpmaster Courses, to recognize included the use of RAF Boeing C-17 Increasing investment potentially hazardous situations. transport aircraft, achieved in 2016. Recent years have seen growing funding The US services each have separate Russia announced the expansion of in this area by SOF worldwide. The most training programs, reflecting their divergent programs in 2016, at the 309th Special significant began in 2012, with all US Army operational requirements. The Army sends Parachute Training Center at Ryazan and the SF personnel receiving a three- or four-week qualified static line parachutists through the Special Operations Training Center in Crimea. A course, with half of their 15-30 training jumps programs at Fort Bragg, Yuma and Key West. simulator was installed at Ryazan in the same being HAHO. The Marines, who use the Army to train year. The country has doubled the number of Making all SF MFF-trained more than static line parachutists, have their own personnel trained in high-altitude (13,000ft) doubled the US Army’s instruction MFF program, the Multi Mission Parachute operations and has carried out Arctic exercises, requirement, going from 560 personnel in Course, with contractors as instructors. including MFF jumps, at the Barneo Polar FY2012 to over 1,200 per year entering its The Navy, which has its own static line Station, identifying issues created by the MFF training programs at: Fort Bragg, North parachute program, has the Advanced Tactical extreme environment, such as a lack of visual Carolina; Yuma, Arizona; and, for underwater Air Assault Course, including an MFF program reference points and the inaccuracy of operations (UWO), Key West, Florida. (with contract instructors). The Air Force uses altimeters and navigation systems. Increased training for SF provides contract instructors for its program, especially Israel has also recently expanded the commanders with expanded insertion configured for its pararescue, combat number of trained personnel, especially SOF, options and increases USSOCOM’s ability controller, combat weather and special capable of using covert insertion capabilities to provide trainers (in 2017, expanded to warfare personnel, although it relies on the such as Maglan (Commando) and Sayeret include MFF jumpmaster skills) for both Army to provide static line jump instruction. Matkal (General Staff Reconnaissance) units. forward-deployed joint-service US forces and The need for MFF-specific training applies In 2017, the Israel Defense Forces introduced to international partners. not only to parachutists, but also to riggers, new advanced jump wings for those Nevertheless, this increase has not been jumpmasters and transport aircrew. Many personnel trained in techniques such as MFF. without problems. In 2011-16, eight of 11 countries that have units with a nominal special operators who died in parachute capability have not made the investment in Unparalled parachutes accidents did so in MFF incidents, a regular and recurring instruction required to Recognizable by their square canopy, ram- 60% increase over the previous five-year meet the demands of using it on operations. air parachutes were first designed for sport

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parachuting in the 1960s. Lift is created military users entail specialized equipment. remain in service delivering cargo through a rigid airfoil, similar to an US SOF, since 2011, have used the Airborne containers. The MC-6, first deployed in 2006, aircraft’s wing, that provides forward Systems North America RA-1 Military Free is a modified T-11 static line parachute, movement and minimizes oscillation, Fall Advanced Ram-Air Parachute System using a polyconic-shaped canopy, which changing the trajectory of a parachutist. (MFF ARAPS), a nine-cell design. enables landing at higher-altitude DZs and No longer is there a slowed straight-down It has a 4:1 glide ratio (able to glide up backing up to correct an overshoot. fall; instead, they make a directed glide, to four miles for every mile of altitude at Marine Corps Reconnaissance and giving them the ability to fly when the canopy deployment), with forward speeds Special Operations units use the MC-5, a canopy is deployed. of 20-30mph and an ability to carry up to version of the MC-4. This is being replaced A jumper uses control toggles to fly a ram- 450lb. It is intended to be resistant to by the Multi Mission Parachute System air canopy towards a DZ once its multiple stalling even when having to maneuver into (MMPS), with a 3:1 glide ratio, in service tubular cells, supported by internal ribs, small-size DZs. Designed with an objective for over a decade. Marine Corps Systems are inflated by the air rammed into them maximum altitude requirement of Command is evaluating an enhanced through leading-edge vents – hence the 35,000ft, operational use of the ARAPS version of this. name – by the forward motion of the has been limited to 25,000ft. Advanced In addition to the MC-4, US Navy SEALs parachute. Ram-air parachutes provide: ram-air parachute designs with a 5.5:1 use the older MT1-XS/SL and MT2-XX/SL additional offset: improved accuracy: load glide ratio have been developed and designs. Their performance is similar to the carrying capability and maneuverability; and evaluated by SOCOM. MC-4, but with a maximum deployment the ability to flare for landing – important in The ARAPS is replacing the earlier Airborne altitude of 18,000ft. minimizing the risk of injury. Systems MC-4 (maneuverable canopy), Recent US MFF parachutes can be used While many ram-air designs have their introduced in 1991. This seven-cell ram-air with a static line as well as their normal origins in sport parachuting, and numerous design is capable of a 3:1 glide ratio. It free-fall opening by the parachutist. They civil off-the-shelf designs are used for the can carry a 360lb load, with a maximum have an emergency automatic backup technique, the unique requirements for deployment altitude of 25,000ft. It will system, the Electronic Automatic

Reconnaissance Neutralization Interception

Nexter is at the heart of Special Forces operations. From armoured vehicles and autonomous robots to weapon systems, the Nexter range provides a decisive advantage in the eld.

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Activation Device, based on the sport with French SOF, the Zodiac Aerospace personnel can be pushed to their limits by parachuting CYPRES (Cybernetic Parachute Système de Mise à Terre des Chuteurs this kind of parachuting. Release System). Opérationnels, ordered in September 2016, A HAHO insertion begins with a violent Most of these parachutes can be used will use an upgraded version of its Phantom opening shock and – depending on winds – to carry a cargo container or equipment parachute. Designed for opening at altitudes of may take up to an hour and subject the bundles (including watercraft) using GPS up to 29,500ft and capable of carrying 510lb, parachutist to temperatures ranging from guidance to ensure that they will be able to it will be able to be configured for tandem -60 at altitude to 120°F on arrival, requiring accompany jumpers to a DZ. The RA-1 can jumps. Russian Airborne Troops protective clothing and footwear. Any reportedly carry up to 500lb when used with reconnaissance units use the high-altitude moisture encountered or on equipment is GPS guidance in this mission. Cargo and Zvezda Arabelt-1 and ram-air Arabelt-2 likely to result in freezing. equipment bundles can be delivered using parachutes, both capable of being used with a Unexpected changes in weather or the Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System static line to deliver cargo containers. winds aloft increase the risk of frostbite, (JPADS), used operationally by US aircraft decompression sickness or oxygen for airdrops since 2005. Staying alive starvation. Even in the best conditions, the Most MFF parachutes can also be used No one should equate the requirements of need to hold on to the control toggles and for tandem jumps. This capability was MFF with those of sport parachuting. ADM maintain a standing posture throughout the introduced in sport parachuting in the William McRaven, then Commander of flight – although some parachutes have a 1970s. It is used by SOF for training or SOCOM, told the Senate Armed Services support capability – is fatiguing. operationally to enable specialist personnel Committee in 2014: “Our SEALs and Modifications have been made on a number (or military working dogs) without MFF special boat operators may parachute into of parachute designs. qualifications to be inserted using the the ocean and conduct an over-the-horizon Oxygen systems carried on a jumper technique when required. This has been swim in 60° water temperatures while are required to enable high-altitude MFF done in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Military dragging heavy equipment… Our special jumping above 13,000ft. While this Tethered Tandem Bundle allows tandem mission units often conduct high-altitude originally relied on the bailout bottle oxygen ram-air canopy rigs to be used for cargo to low-opening parachute jumps from over systems designed for aircrew, current accompany a parachutist. 18,000ft with oxygen, and then assemble products are better aligned with mission- British MFF-capable SOF parachutes include and conduct a ground movement to the specific SOF needs, such as the US the GQ Systems Intruder system, also used by target area.” Even the most highly Improved Parachute Oxygen mask US SOF. Replacing the Air Azur G9 parachute conditioned and best-trained SOF (replacing the current MBU-12D) and the new-design Cobham Phantom system. Russia has been testing the 22lb DA-21Mk 2 closed circuit oxygen rebreather system, designed to work from 32,000ft altitude to 65.6ft under water. Fielding is expected to start in 2018. Russian sources state that the use of a single system combining MFF and UWO oxygen capability would put them on a par with US Navy SEALs and German SOF.

Finding the way Carrying out in-flight navigation while keeping contact with other parachutists is critical to ensuring that all jumpers arrive at the planned DZ together. This is a challenge in reduced visibility or when penetrating cloud. In 2017, SOCOM carried out operational testing of the Parachute Navigation System at Fort Bragg. Designed to be carried on individual jumpers, it includes an end user device, providing GPS navigation connectivity, and is linked to the mission planner of the JPADS through a Joint Tactical Radio A USAF MC-130J Commando II loadmaster and System radio link, capable of guiding a jumpmaster discuss HAHO jump operations in July 2017, during Exercise Talisman Saber 2017. (Photo: USAF) parachutist into a DZ. It gives MFF jumpers real-time winds aloft data and can share

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individual location data with other jumpers Equipment Advanced Requirements Family systems) to increase offsets. In 2003, a and the jumpmaster in the aircraft. of Tactical Headborne Systems, ordered by jumper attached to a six-foot wing jumped Fielding is scheduled to start in 2018. SOCOM in 2017, provide compatibility with from 30,000ft, achieving a 6:1 glide ratio to Networked connectivity for jumpers in flight a range of advanced systems. cross the English Channel. makes it easier for them to locate and use Engines may be mounted on cargo- thermal air currents, although thermals are Sporting chance carrying parachutes to provide additional lift. less frequent in the hours of darkness when Sport parachuting designs have demonstrated The use of miniature engines has been most MFF needs to take place. 6:1 and higher glide ratios, using elements of demonstrated on Atair Aerospace’s EXO-X2 Night vision systems are critical to hang gliders as inspiration. US SOF – especially wingsuit, able to fly for minutes in level flight. operations, even though using helmet- Marines – have used sport parachutes to Combining these technologies with a rigid mounted equipment while jumping can be provide increased DZ offsets from medium and wing could produce a possible HAHO offset, problematic and is often unfeasible. However, high altitudes, modified to survive the shock of it has been estimated, of up to 62.1 miles. since 2009, US personnel conducting MFF a HAHO opening. More than advanced equipment, have been cleared to use the Harris Other sport parachuting technologies with sustaining capabilities requires investment in AN/PVS-14 night vision device, although potential application include the wingsuit, training. Transport aircrew – required to be these cannot be worn for static line jumps. developed and used since the 1990s. qualified in MFF-specific tactics different The Enhanced Night Vision Goggle Essentially airfoils that are worn as garments, from those associated with static line jumps (ENVG) III, an upgraded version of the wingsuits have demonstrated glide ratios of – have to be able to respond to jumpmaster Harris AN/PSQ-20 ENVG, combines image 2.5:1. In 2005, Spanish wingsuit jumpers directions. Operating aircraft for instruction intensification and thermal longwave IR exited a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules is the major cost associated with these sensors in the same display allowing data, transport at 43,000ft and landed 12.7 miles capabilities. However, the expansion of the including maps, to be displayed through away, traveling across the Straits of Gibraltar. technique associated with SOF in a number a wireless connection. New-design next- Sport parachutists have carried rigid wings of countries suggests that this is widely seen generation helmets from the SOF Personal (which can also be used to mount oxygen as a worthwhile investment. ■

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The story of how the .338 Recent evidence of this can be found length of 24in; a rate of fire of between 500- in an early April 2017 Sources Sought 600RPM; compatibility with current rail- Norma Magnum round came announcement released by the USSOCOM mounted aiming systems, with the ability to be is certainly not the most contracting office to identify “sources within to incorporate more advanced fire control conventional, but its efficiency the national technology and industrial base” technology; capability to rapidly change to provide an advanced sniper rifle. The between suppressed and non-suppressed and consistency means that it 6 April document called for a commercial barrels; a lightweight tripod, providing the is lauded on the battlefield. system that would include three different stability and accuracy required to engage caliber conversion kits: 7.62mm NATO; .300 targets at extreme ranges; and sufficient Shephard considers what the NM; and .338 NM cartridges. accuracy to engage area targets and vehicles future holds for this Just over one month later, USSOCOM at 2,000m (2,187yd). ammunition. interest in the .338 NM cartridge was again highlighted in an 11 May Sources Sought Humble beginnings By Scott R. Gourley announcement for a new Lightweight With apparently growing special operations Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG). In a interest in the .338 NM cartridge, Shephard Editor’s note: This article is part of our cooperative arrangement with the USMC, spoke with Jimmie Sloan, acknowledged as periodic segment on ballistics. USSOCOM representatives identified the designer of both the .338 NM and .300 NM combined need for 5,000 .338 NM belt-fed rounds. Those who have worked with Sloan ince it first burst onto the stage medium weapons. Of significant interest is will recognize the significance of this, since about a decade ago, the .338 that the announcement called for the belted his humble demeanor causes him to avoid S Norma Magnum (NM) cartridge has ammunition to be in a polymer case. credit that might otherwise be his. been garnering increasing levels of interest Additional desired features included: a That said, he acknowledged that the .338 across the US special operations community. weight less than 24lb unloaded, with a barrel NM design really got its start in the 2006-7 Call of the The Marine Corps shares USSOCOM’s interest in a new machine gun. (Photo: DoD) wildcat

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time frame, when individuals serving at the honor the cartridge in its burn rate, it still “It’s no trade secret that the more you US Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort refuses to shoot outside of a quarter inch open up a taper, the smoother the recoil Benning, Georgia, asked him to “design a [minute of angle/MOA]. It simply refuses to will be,” he explained. “The sharper the taper cartridge that could fit in an M24 – but it do that. That’s because it was designed to be or shoulder, the sharper the reaction and couldn’t be a .300 Win Mag or a 7.62.” so efficient that it is using everything it can sharper the recoil. That powder doesn’t have Sloan explained: “So I took that and… get out of that fuel to benefit the shooter.” anywhere to go.” started drawing some things out on a piece He incorporated the new cartridge into a Sloan’s “second design,” originally of paper. I took several ideas and ran them gun design that he provided to Fort Benning designated .338 ‘R’, would become the around the corner before I settled on a around 2007, along with 500 rounds of .338 NM. “I said I was going to design a design that took a 300-grain bullet – a ammunition that he built. ‘battle chamber,’ meaning I’d give it more Remington 700 if you will – and a magazine Sloan related that a number of voices and movement internally in an unfired case than box that came from Accuracy International. vested interests in the small arms community a .50 BMG [Browning Machine Gun] and yet Then I decided to wrap a cartridge around quickly branded the new design as “a wildcat” still shoot 1/10th-1/16th minute/sub-half that bullet and fit it in that magazine box,” he and rightly claimed that the early rounds did [inch] MOA – all day long,” he added. “And added. “That’s how it all started.” come “from a two-car garage.” that’s what happened.” When asked to compare the .338 NM “I told them I had hand-turned some Sloan continued: “That cartridge was design against the globally popular .338 brass, cutting 200/1,000ths off the Lapua more battle-suited for a machine gun in the Lapua, Sloan chose his words carefully, and then shaped up and hand turned the beginning than anything that was ever on the pointing to international acceptance/ neck,” he said. “That first design was called planet. They say you have to put it in a bolt adoption of the round and the fact that it was a .338 SSM [super short magnum]. But I gun first, so I put it in a bolt gun. But when seen as a critical cartridge in the early days never called them [at Fort Benning]. And I designed it, I had in mind some sort of of the USSOCOM Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) they were shooting that gun at the time semi-automatic or operational gun.” program (Remington Defense was awarded somewhere at around 1,500m back then.” “If I had gone running out back then the PSR contract in the fall of 2013). However, the new bullet design was saying that there was a new fully operational “But the .338 Lapua was originally built apparently taking shooters farther than they cartridge that would function so well in a for a 250-grain bullet,” he said. “The CIP had intended to go. lightweight gun or a semi-automatic weapon [Commission internationale permanente pour they would have seriously questioned those l’épreuve des armes à feu portatives] states Charting the evolution claims,” he said. that, because when they built that cartridge Noting that at least one unidentified party Part of the reason for that may have there wasn’t a 300-grain bullet out there.” attempted to “take” the .338 SSM design for been that some military elements were still Noting that subsequent experimentation themselves, Sloan responded by returning struggling to get a .338 into the US arsenal. had tried to place a 300-grain bullet on to pencil and paper pad, with the result Acknowledging that the .338 Lapua is “a the Lapua cartridge with a few potential being ballistic characteristics with a slightly superb battle weapon” embraced by 54 supporting modifications to the case, Sloan different recoil. countries, Sloan asserted that the US said: “By its metrics, no matter what you did to the front of the cartridge, it is never ever going to fix the rear of the case. By its design, the rear of that case is still going to give you a lot of change,” he continued. “With any little amount of change in atmospheric conditions, it will give you a RAPIDLY huge amount of change instead of a small DEPLOYABLE consistent amount of change.” & SCALABLE, Emphasizing the information in “the original CIP,” Sloan asserted that even if CODE-COMPLIANT “new CIP data” was identified, it was unlikely FACILITIES: that any military would be happy with a • HOUSING • FOOD SERVICE requirement to buy a new gun or to send • SHOWERS/RESTROOMS • WATER SYSTEMS such a new load out to combat troops in • POWER & HVAC • KITCHENS/DFACS extreme operational environments. • LOGISTICS SUPPORT • LAUNDRIES While he wouldn’t say it, many shooters • SHELTER SYSTEMS • SITE DESIGN have credited the .338 NM with a high level of consistency. “They say it will give you the same thing every time,” Sloan admitted. “It is very forgiving. It doesn’t care if you are one DEPLOYEDRESOURCES.COM (315) 281-0039 to two to two and a half grains off your load, or even in a powder that doesn’t respectfully VETERAN-OWNED • QUALITY FOCUSED • COST EFFECTIVE • MADE IN THE USA

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have a little place in there about polymer. This is where all of this is transitioning – to polymer cases.” Moreover, Sloan asserted that the new lightweight gun design, coupled with polymer-cased .338 NM, will allow the new weapon to perform many battlefield functions currently assigned to the much heavier .50cal machine gun. Additionally, he said that the polymer ammunition could allow the new gun design to be retrofited as a wing-mounted aircraft weapon. “If you said .50 BMG and .338 Norma Magnum without the polymer transition, that would still be 2.5 cases of .338 NW ammunition to every case of .50 BMG and One recent announcement called for .338 NM belted ammunition in that’s before you even get into polymer. polymer cases, shown here on the Plus, it has the same terminal effects out to right. (Photo: author) 2,000m as a 50.” He continued: “The 50 is a heavy, heavy system. It’s more than 100lb with about examination beyond that widely accepted anybody who ever shot it never walked three people to support the system and option coincided with the extension of away from it. And it’s because that system ammunition requirements. But when you common range firings from 1,000yd to put so much more confidence into a read that announcement and see what 1,500m and beyond. “Weapons [.338 Lapua] shooter because of consistency. Let’s just they are looking for with a Norma, they’re from Accuracy International and Remington say that if you were an MOA shooter when calling for a 24lb gun, belt-fed with are good, strong weapons,” he said. “But you started you would be a half MOA polymer cartridges. And they call for when they hit that 1,500m mark that ‘other shooter when that system got through performance out to 2,000m – in an easily cartridge’ exhibited certain traits based on with you. That’s just what it does. It’s man-portable system.” loads or changing atmospherics.” consistently forgiving all the time. That He added that the polymer casing will Sloan also granted the effectiveness helps the shooter by giving them likely be “the way of the world if they get the of the .300 Win Mag, albeit within range confidence when they lie behind that gun technology under control,” asserting his limitations. “Anybody on his worst day and pull the trigger – without any worry belief that there could be “millions and could go out and kind of fumble through a about where that bullet is fixing to go.” millions of rounds produced for this thing.” 1,000-yard match and win one with a .300 “That really comes into play during Examples of wider recognition of this Win Mag,” he offered. “And that’s why battle,” he added, “because you don’t have potential range vary, from a display of belted USSOCOM kept hanging onto the .300 Win time to spare to be thinking about all of .338 NM polymer cartridge rounds along Mag [requirement] during the Precision those other factors. You acquire your target with an LWMMG prototype by General Sniper Rifle program.” and, based on your mission statement, you Dynamics – Ordnance and Tactical Systems “During that time, there were some do what you need to do.” (GD-OTS) during last year’s Quad-A Mission ‘SOCOM people’ who started looking at the Summit, to an early 2017 announcement [.338 NM] cartridge,” Sloan said. “They Polymer progress of company plans by True Velocity to liked what they saw and said they wanted Looking toward the future, Sloan said that build an expanded polymer ammunition to get a little bit of brass made and R&D it. much of the ongoing activity surrounding manufacturing facility in Garland, Texas. Well, unbeknownst to a lot of people who .338 NM ammunition stems from the recent Based partially on this anticipated were hollering about it being ‘a wildcat’ at USSOCOM/USMC LWMMG announcement. demand, Sloan does not believe that the that time, [USSOCOM] CIP’d that cartridge “This is a big thing because it has never metallic cartridge will ever be “going away,” in 2009. In fact, while some folks were happened in our time – where the military but that the focus for it might be on training hollering ‘wildcat’ it was already a CIP.” makes a new choice of cartridge like this,” rather than tactical operations. He noted that “the rest of the early he observed. “It’s a new beginning. And “The .338 Norma Magnum truly deserves story” included Norma’s offer to build SOCOM says, ‘If we’re going to have a to be where it stands in terms of growing approximately 10,000 rounds for R&D lightweight machine gun, we don’t know who community acceptance,” he concluded. that would be loaded by Jeff Hoffman is going to make it, but we are going to have “When the .300 Norma Magnum and .338 (president of Black Hills Ammunition) at the .338 Norma Magnum and we are going Norma Magnum cartridges were designed, it Black Hills. to have it in a polymer case.’” was about choices for our warfighters – to “That’s the way it started,” Sloan said. “Think about that statement,” he said. get the very best technology that we could “And when it started to hit the circuit, “When you read that announcement, it did create in their hands.” ■

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Paratroopers assigned to SOCPAC board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter attached to the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade during airborne training operations. (Photo: USN)

In his command interview, SOCPAC Commander MajGen Daniel Yoo notes that the Indo-Asia-Pacific region is “as diverse as it is expansive.” With special thanks to SOCPAC and Special Warfare magazine, Shephard presents an overview of potential threats as seen by service planners as of the end of 2017.

45-55 terrorist groups. The most dangerous transnational entities with a presence in the region include: ISIS, al-Qa’ida Allies and In the thick of it Associates (AQAA), and Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LT). There are also numerous smaller groups he 36 nations that comprise the Asia- amongst them. Over 60% of the world’s and insurgents active in Myanmar, India, Pacific region are home to: more than Sunni Islamic population lies within the area, southern Thailand and the Philippines etc. T 50% of the world’s population; 3,000 primarily in an arc that runs from Pakistan different languages; several of the world’s through India, down the Malay Peninsula into State of emergency? largest militaries; five nations allied with the the islands of Indonesia and the Philippines. The increasingly fertile ground for jihadi US through mutual defense treaties; and The region’s Sunni Islamic population has expansion in Southeast Asia means ISIS may two of the world’s major geopolitical historically provided very little support to pose as big a future threat to the East as the flashpoints – the South China Sea and the Salafist jihadist transnational terrorist West. ISIS operatives inside Iraq and Syria Korean Peninsula. Two of the three largest organizations. However, within the past few have leveraged existing local networks in the economies are located in the area, along years there has been a marked increase of region to remotely enable terrorist plots in their with ten of the 14 smallest. support to jihadist-linked activities, and an home countries. There is concern that foreign The Indo-Asia-Pacific region includes the increase in individuals willing to leave the fighters, and not simply Southeast Asian most populous nation in the world, the region in support of extremist organization returnees, will export terrorism to the region as largest democracy and the largest Muslim- operations in the Middle East. ISIS suffers setbacks in Syria and Iraq. majority nation. It is a large and diverse The Pacific Command (PACOM) Area of Thus far, ISIS has shown its greatest threat area with numerous challenges – terrorism Responsibility (AOR) has approximately potential in the southern Philippines, as

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demonstrated by the siege in Marawi, a five- killed, including 20 hostages (18 foreigners al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) month crisis that began on 23 May 2017. A and 2 locals), two police officers, five is the newest affiliate. group of jihadists, led by ISIS-Southeast Asia gunmen, and two bakery staff. AQIS was founded on September 3, emir Isnilon Hapilon, held the city hostage, Bangladeshi security force raids from 2014. The group’s formation was gaining worldwide media attention including mid-2016 to August 2017 have complicated announced in a video released by AQ from ISIS’s core in Iraq and Syria. the local ISIS network’s ability to operate. Central (AQC), in which al-Qa’ida leader Individuals from the region have traveled However, attacks on 17, 18, and 24 March Ayman al-Zawahiri declared that this new to Syria – and to a lesser extent, Iraq – to 2017 in Dhaka indicate that the network is Pakistan-based AQ-affiliate would oversee take part in the armed struggle against the beginning to reconstitute itself. expanding operations in the country, as Assad regime and then subsequently joined ISIS’s core recruits India-based supporters well as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and ISIS or other jihadi groups. mainly through social media. The group’s Myanmar. Zawahiri also pledged that the As in Southeast Asia, South Asian foreign online influence varies and it is unclear which group would recreate the Islamic caliphate fighters have enabled or attempted to enable India-based proponents are linked with one that once stretched into these regions. attacks at home. Nevertheless, the area another through social media or via other AQIS has been largely unable to gain has not likely contributed as many foreign means of communication. Adherents in India traction outside of Pakistan and in carrying fighters to support jihad in Iraq and Syria. have planned attacks against government out large-scale attacks of the type anticipated ISIS’s core has publicly recognized a officials, festivals, places of worship and by AQC leadership. Although the group has network of supporters in Bangladesh, and areas frequented by tourists, and CT pressure undertaken assassinations of Pakistani while Bangladeshi counter-terrorism (CT) has disrupted several attack plots. military officials and anti-al-Qa’ida bloggers, it efforts have disrupted several threats, they Although New Delhi has identified ISIS has yet to carry out a major attack on Indian have not eliminated the network of ISIS threats, arresting at least 80 ISIS supporters soil. This may be in part because of the supporters. ISIS-affiliated extremists have since mid-2015, Indian media still reports general hostility of Indians, including Indian targeted foreigners, including Westerners, that nationals who have traveled to the Muslims who account for roughly 13% of the along with local security forces and minority Middle East are trying to direct attacks back country’s population, towards radical jihadist religious groups. at home. The one ISIS-linked attack in India ideologies, especially when they originate The most notable ISIS-supported attack in to date is the 7 March 2017 train bombing in from India’s traditional rival, Pakistan. the PACOM AOR up until May 2017 was the Madhya Pradesh, which injured ten people. The group has faced a different problem in 1 July 2016 attack on a bakery in Dhaka. At Bangladesh, where the hardline Islamist terror 21:20 local time, five militants took hostages Continued presence group Hefazat e-Islam has monopolized local and opened fire on the Holey Artisan Bakery Al-Qa’ida exerts considerably less influence extremism and has pledged to deny AQIS a in the diplomatic district of the city. The in the Indo-Asia-Pacific than it did in the foothold in the country. The latter has even assailants entered the store with crude early 2000s, yet allied and affiliated begun to experience difficulties in Pakistan, bombs, machetes and pistols, and took groups still maintain a presence. where it has not carried out an attack since several dozen hostages – foreigners and Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) October 2014. US drone strikes and the locals. During the attack 29 people were is the most notable organization, while Pakistan military’s Operation Zard-e-Azb, which was launched in late 2014 to combat militant A USAF 320th Special Tactics Squadron combat controller rides a dirt bike in Crow Valley in Tarlac extremism in the country’s tribal regions, have Province, Philippines during a Teak Piston 2016 community relations event with Philippine Forward decimated AQIS’s ranks. According to Pakistan Air Controllers from the 710th Special Operations Wing. (Photo: USAF) and US militaries, over 50 group members have been killed in Pakistani or US strikes since September 2014. The few notable AQIS endeavors include the 6 September 2014 attempt to attack US warships after hijacking a Pakistan military frigate. It failed and the hijackers were apprehended. On February 26 2015, group militants killed Avijit Roy, an atheist Bangladeshi-American Blogger living in Dhaka. Between February and May 2015, AQIS killed three other secular Bangladeshi bloggers, the last of which was on May 12, 2015, when it claimed credit for the assassination of Ananta Bijoy.

Ideological extremes JI is an Islamist extremist group in Indonesia that seeks to overthrow the government and

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create a pan-Islamic state in Southeast Asia. It has ideological origins in the Darul Islam (DI) movement of the 1950s and 1960s. In the late 1980s, evading prison sentences for their ties to DI, Yemeni-born Indonesian clerics Abdullah Sungkar and Abu Bakar Ba’asyir fled to Malaysia. There, they began to form a collective of Islamists and facilitated travel to Afghanistan for Southeast Asian Muslims seeking to join the fight against the Soviets. Experts disagree on the exact date that JI was founded as an organization, but estimates range from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, suggesting that the group coalesced over time before formalizing. In the 1990s, JI transformed through relocations and training. By the mid-1990s, A 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II taxis on the flight line after completing nighttime training with the 18th Logistics Readiness forward area refueling point team at Kadena Air Sungkar had established training camps Base, Japan. (Photo: USAF) in the Philippines, which led to a strong relationship between JI and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The group was JI’s operational capabilities. Since then, Da’awa) is based in Muridke near Lahore in responsible for a string of church bombings governments in Southeast Asia have Pakistan and is headed by Hafiz Muhammad in Indonesia in December 2000, which killed arrested over 400 suspected terrorists Saeed. Its most notable attack was on the 18 people, as well as a series of bombings in tied to the group, including its operational November 26, 2008 in Mumbai, India, in Manila in that same month, which killed 22. chief in 2003 and two senior leaders in which it held the city hostage for three days In the early 2000s, JI began to focus its 2007. Security forces have also killed a and killed 164 people. The group has attacks on Western and US targets, a shift that number of leaders. conducted operations in Jammu and was reflected in its actions, and then publicly The increased security efforts not only Kashmir (J&K) since 1993. announced by Ba’asyir in 2002. In December decimated organizational leadership, but LT’s professed ideology goes beyond 2001, Singaporean officials foiled a JI plot to also forced the remaining leaders to rethink merely challenging India’s sovereignty over attack Australian, Israeli, British and US the group’s strategy, resulting in increased the state of J&K. Its agenda includes the diplomatic buildings in Singapore. Subsequent fracturing through 2010. When JI’s chiefs restoration of Islamic rule over all parts of attempts on public spaces like malls, hotels seemed to set the group on a firm path to South Asia. Furthermore, the outfit seeks to and restaurants appeared to demonstrate that becoming a nonviolent organization in 2008, bring about a union of all Muslim majority the organization had become more willing to Ba’asyir left to form a new organization, regions in countries that surround Pakistan. accept collateral loss of Muslim life. In October Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT). In 2011, Towards that end, it is currently most active of 2002, JI perpetrated its most notorious Ba’asyir was arrested and convicted for in J&K and Afghanistan. attack when it bombed two Bali nightclubs operating a militant training camp in Aceh While LT’s primary area of operations is popular with foreign tourists, especially funded by JAT and was sentenced to 15 J&K, the outfit has carried out attacks in other Australians, killing 202 people. years in jail. parts of India, including Bangalore, Gujarat, Following this bombing, the Indonesian The last attack associated with the Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, and authorities joined other governments in organization came in July 2009, when suicide Varanasi etc. It reportedly has cells in many cracking down on JI. In response, some bombers linked to the group again attacked cities and towns outside JAK. group leaders wanted to abandon mass- the JW Marriot, in addition to the Ritz-Carlton LT is closely linked to Pakistan’s Inter- casualty terrorism and attempted to distance in Jakarta, killing seven people and injuring Services Intelligence agency, the Afghan themselves from AQ’s calls to attack Western over 50. Since then, splinter groups and Taliban and al-Qa’ida. It maintains ties to targets. Despite increased security efforts other Indonesian militant organizations have various religious/military groups around the and new goals among JI’s leaders, been more active and received more media world, ranging from the Philippines to the associated cells and members continued attention than JI. In 2014, Ba’ayshir allegedly Middle East and Chechnya, primarily through to carry out attacks. In Jakarta, the group declared his support for ISIS from prison, but the al-Qa’ida fraternal network. bombed the JW Marriott Hotel in August what remains of JI’s leadership today is firmly 2003 and the Australian embassy in anti-ISIS. Multiple organizations September 2004. In October 2005, a suicide Four main militant entities operate in the bombing in Bali killed 26. Restoration goal Philippines: the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), By the mid-2000s, national security Formed in 1990 in the Kunar province of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters efforts had begun to seriously degrade Afghanistan, LT (also known as Jama’at-ud- (BIFF), the Communist Party of the

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Philippines New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and has since participated in Malaysian- roving kidnap-for-ransom bands operating and MILF. While MILF is in the midst of sponsored talks aimed at resolving an array on the islands of Basilan and Jolo. Isnilon peace negotiations with the government, of concerns about a future self-governing Hapilon, now an elderly cleric going by the BIFF and CPP-NPA remain on an Moro homeland. name of Sheikh Mujahideen Abdullah operational footing. ASG was established in 1991 by Abdurajak al-Philippine, leads the largest and most MILF is the largest and best-equipped Janjalini, a veteran of the Afghan mujahideen active of these factions, which is based on Islamist militant group in the Philippines. campaign against the Soviet Union during the island of Basilan. The organization was initially founded under the 1980s. Its stated goals are the purge BIFF is a spin-off of MILF formed in the leadership of Hashim Salamat, with the of all Christian influence in the southern December 2010 by Ustadz Ameril Umbra aim of establishing an independent Islamic Philippines and the establishment of an Kato, a scholar and former leader of the state in all areas of the southern Philippines independent Islamic State of Mindanao. Front’s 105th Command. Among other where Muslims have traditionally been the From the outset, this agenda was tied to things, he contended that MILF had majority. Following Salamat’s death in larger, transnational extremist plans, mostly strayed from the Bangsamoro’s original 2003, his more pragmatic successor, rhetorically but occasionally substantively. goals and undermined the Moro Islamic al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, moderated the In its early years, ASG operated as a cause by negotiating only for Mindanao’s objective over time. He felt a guarantee cohesive and explicitly religious organization. autonomy and not full independence. After of comprehensive autonomy rather than The loss of several senior commanders, Kato died from pneumonia in April 2015, outright independence was the most however, has progressively seen the group BIFF’s command passed to Ismael Abu realistic concession that could be extracted degenerate into a fractured and criminalized Bakar, a somewhat more radical leader from Manila. To this end, he signed a entity. Today, the group, which numbers no who also goes by the name “Bonmgos.” cessation of hostilities agreement in 2003 more than 100 members, is split between BIFF is larger and better equipped than ASG, although its influence remains highly Spc Ahmed Rahimi, left, and Pvt 1st Class Andre Cheatum, both assigned to 112th Signal Battery localized largely within two barangays Special Operations Airborne – SOCPAC, participate in the Hammerhead Field Training Exercise/ (hamlets) in Maguindanao. Situational Training Exercise on March 30, 2017. (Photo: USN) The CPP-NPA seeks to overthrow the Philippine government, expel US influence from the country and establish a new state. The CPP was founded in 1968 and has two related units: its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), which was established in 1969; and its political arm, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF). Because the party and its armed wing are so closely intertwined, they are often referred to together as the CPP-NPA. Since 1986, over 40 rounds of talks under five Philippine presidents have been conducted by five government panels. The talks have been disrupted over 15 times for various reasons, but mainly on the issues of sovereignty and the release of the captured CPP and NPA leaders, who the NDF invariably claim to be its consultants in the peace negotiations. The government of President Duterte recently ceased negotiations with the NDF as Duterte and CPP founder Jose Maria Sison grew increasingly hostile towards one another. Besides ASG, BIFF, CPP/NPA and MILF, there are at least three smaller groups that have emerged in the Philippines in the last few years: Ansar Khalifah Sarangani (Supporters of the Caliphate); Jamaal al-Tawhid Wal Jihad Philippines; and Khilafa Islamiyah Mindanao. While information on these entities is scant, none are believed to have more than a handful of followers. ■

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SOF-01-18_p15-18_SOCPAC.indd 18 2/27/2018 3:53:50 PM SOCPAC COMMAND Yoo addresses Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group during a visit on November 8, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (Photo: USAF)

Taking command

When he took charge of Pacific It’s impossible to talk about SOCPAC first Marine to lead a Theater Special Special Operations Command without first talking about your unique Operations Component. history. Can you share your story with our Having commanded SOCPAC for several (SOCPAC) in May 2017, readers? months now, I am even more excited working MajGen Daniel Yoo became Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the honor of with our partners throughout the region than I commanding at every level within the USMC was upon learning I was coming back to the the first Marine to lead a and serving as the Director for Operations in theater. I began my career in this area and theater-level special operations both Marine Special Operations Command have multiple tours in the US Pacific Command command. With special thanks and USSOCOM. I have been exposed to [USPACOM] region. I’ve had the opportunity to planning and decision-making at tactical, work with several of the USPACOM countries, to both SOCPAC and Special operational and strategic levels to include including Japan, Korea and the Philippines, Warfare magazine, Yoo shares coalition and interagency, and have been and have developed relationships and a able to work with some great leaders along deeper understanding of their systems, his experience to date. the way. I am humbled to be selected as the governments, policy and culture.

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SOF-01-18_p19-21_SOCPAC Interview.indd 19 28/02/2018 10:45:42 SOCPAC COMMAND Yoo attends a brief for Operation Kedge, part of the Reconnaissance Team Leader faced a wide range of armed internal threats Course at the Marine Corps by different separatist and insurgent groups Base Hawaii on October 16, with different ideologies culminating in 2017. (Photo: USMC) violent action. They have faced Communist- ideology-focused groups such as the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army; Islamic-focused groups such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf, as well as organized criminal groups. Each group has different grievances which require different solutions. The government of the Philippines is dealing with each group and has been largely successful in securing the peace. However, with some of those violent groups, there is still work to do. The Philippine government has won over large parts of the nation through their whole-of- Through these interactions, it is hard not cooperation and defeating threats to the US government approach to solving problems to establish an appreciation of the various and its interests. that involve the local populace. US special cultures, history and perspectives and Special operations is one subset of what operations remain committed to advising capabilities that our partner nations bring to is occurring within the broader scope of and assisting the Philippine government the table. I look forward to future endeavors national interest in this theater, so it is through training and intelligence, allowing alongside our partners as well as cultivating important to understand how we fit into the the Philippine military and police to act upon those relationships. picture. Keeping our finger on the pulse of the problems within their nation using their the region allows us to tailor our operations, own forces. SOCPAC’s AOR covers almost half the aligning them with theater and national We recently held the Pacific Area Special surface of the earth. How do you keep objectives, while gauging how they are Operations Conference in Honolulu, where your pulse on everything that is going on? perceived by the host nation government military, law enforcement and government Communication is the key to keeping the and populace. representatives from 26 nations throughout pulse of what is going on. USPACOM is such The Indo-Asia-Pacific region is as diverse the Indo-Asia-Pacific rim, including Pacific a large geographic area that I have to rely on as it is expansive. That diversity brings South American nations, came together for a our network of forces that are established in various perspectives on how to tackle common goal. The main focus of this various countries within the region to provide regional concerns. Our partnerships are symposium was solving internal problems at real-time ground truth data. In addition to our extremely valuable to us as we learn from their root cause before they fester into own forward network, we stay closely linked their experiences and gain valuable insights violent extremism. with our Department of State [DoS] and other from our frequent engagements. While some Representatives from Malaysia and agency partners in the various US embassies. of the most complex challenges facing Colombia spoke and gave concrete examples This partnership is critical for America are a resurgent China and defiant of how they used the whole-of-government understanding what is occurring locally and North Korea that both lie within USPACOM approach to combat insurgencies and armed abroad. Everything we do involves our Indo- borders, we also have to maintain awareness internal groups to produce peace and Asia-Pacific partners, and SOCPAC works of Russia and Iran which are just outside the maintain sovereignty. The Philippines was closely with host nation governments and borders but can influence the region. heavily represented from many internal US interagency partners to coordinate our Additionally, we work to monitor and counter agencies that spoke about their successes activities and gain a deep understanding of violent extremist groups that try to disrupt the with some regions and insurgent groups. influences, trends and movements within the theater. SOCPAC works alongside the other region. This enables awareness of what is USPACOM components to enhance stability by The problem plaguing the Philippines is occurring from all perspectives. promoting security cooperation, responding to also moving over to other areas like the In order to accomplish our mission as contingencies, deterring aggression and, when Maldives. Is Islamic extremism on the rise USPACOM’s Theater Joint Force Special necessary, fighting to win. and, if so, how do we counter it in this AOR? Operations Component Commander It’s important to understand that each nation [TJFSOCC], we must plan and execute a wide For several years, the Philippines have is different, with unique problems and spectrum of missions across the Indo-Asia- been seen as a success story in the AOR. challenges. While extremism is one issue Pacific. These missions are designed to What is happening there now and what is every country must address, the broader advance the broader theater objectives of the plan to keep the peace? challenges a nation faces vary from country deterring aggression, responding quickly to The Republic of the Philippines is a sovereign to country. This presents a distinctly different crisis, enhancing regional security nation that for more than five decades has problem set.

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The Maldives, along with many of our In close concert with the DoS and partner nations, is dealing with the growth of It’s important interagency partners, SOCPAC has built trust violent extremism, along with threats to public and interoperability with the Mahabir health, crime, natural disasters and political to understand Rangers, largely through the SOCOM JCET unrest. Violent extremist organizations are program. The lesson for the larger DoD or using social media to spread their message, that each nation interagency enterprise is the SOF recruit and become ideologically connected is different, with engagements’ relative low cost and footprint, with otherwise disparate groups that are scaled to both the US embassy policies and displaced geographically. The Maldives now unique problems our partners’ capabilities or capacity, to has to deal with the Islamic State Maldives provide a response capability to support our (ISIM), which appeared in 2014 after a pro- and challenges. partners’ national security objectives. ISIS rally in the capital of Malé. USPACOM and SOCPAC work with our Natural disasters are frequent in the partner nations within the rule of law to assist AOR and one of SOF’s many missions is our partners in defeating any violent extremist crisis response. What are some of the organization within their borders. We are just response forces to assist with this disaster, successes in this AOR? one small part in the whole-of-government which in SOCPAC’s case was already on the SOCPAC personnel have supported various approach to resolving these issues. ground training with our counterparts. USPACOM disaster and recovery efforts, a We have maintained an enduring few of which I’ve already mentioned. One of We recently traveled throughout the AOR engagement with Nepal for over 15 years. the major efforts was Operation Tomodachi, and visited Nepal and Sri Lanka. Both of This relationship was put to the test during which was the disaster relief aid following these countries have fairly recently ended the Gorkha earthquake in April 2015, the March 11, 2011 Tōhoku earthquake decades of war. How do we help them which devastated large swathes of the and tsunami. maintain stability and grow as strong Kathmandu Valley, killing nearly 9,000 SOCPAC personnel were already in-country democracies? people and injuring nearly 22,000. Again, preparing to begin a routine training exercise We are well postured to support our Sri two US ODAs were already in Nepal and when a 9.0 earthquake struck off the east Lankan and Nepalese partners through the were quickly re-missioned to support the coast of Japan resulting in a 133ft tsunami long-term and enduring relationships we recovery effort, partnered with the traveling up to six miles inland in some have built over many years of cooperation Nepalese Army Mahabir Rangers. locations. SOCPAC personnel were ordered to and training together. These relationships Our SOF elements in Nepal worked hand assist with recovery and clean-up efforts, give us particular insights and access to our in hand with the US Embassy and with one of the immediate priorities being to partners, allow training to match US SOF government of Nepal to conduct surveys in reopen Sendai Airport to allow military capabilities and assist in resourcing or order to confirm access to remote areas, aircraft to bring in supplies. support. These actions are deliberately which helped focus the foreign relief effort This is in addition to the two natural coordinated with both our US embassy and aid. That aid also included leading the disasters in Nepal and Sri Lanka spoken about interagency teammates, as well as our host lone civilian helicopter to Everest Base above that demonstrate SOCPAC’s ability to nation partners’ interagency, civilian and Camp to recover stranded mountaineers rapidly transition into relief efforts from any military forces. who were isolated after the earthquake- other mission they may be conducting. For example, to support our Sri Lankan induced avalanche cut off ground access. partners, our Civil Military Support Element The access to the affected area and the What are your primary missions and how within Sri Lanka recently re-missioned a quick assistance we offered to the Mahabir are your forces contributing to success Special Forces Operational Detachment Rangers were only possible after years of and stability in the AOR? Alpha [ODA], which was in-country on Joint persistent engagement. As USPACOM’s TJFSOCC, SOCPAC coordinates, Combined Exchange Training [JCET] to plans and executes the full range of special support flood-relief efforts. Their tasks Speaking of Nepal, the Rangers there operations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, included confirming ground access to are consistent partners to the US. How which encompasses 36 nations and is home remote sites and providing ground do we support units like this throughout to more than 50% of the world’s population. assessments. Those assessments the AOR? We align our operations to support registered 698,289 people affected in 15 Using the agility SOF is known for, we USPACOM’s objectives of deterring districts, with 224 deaths, 78 missing, leverage our unique capabilities to maintain aggression, responding quickly to crisis, 2,093 houses fully destroyed and 11,056 daily contact with our partners and to shape enhancing regional security cooperation and houses partially damaged. our engagements. Within Nepal, we do so defeating threats to the US and its interests. Though small, the ODA was a key through our relationship with the Mahabir SOCPAC is committed to enhancing stability in component of the larger US and foreign relief Rangers. In fact, they are a case study in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region through promoting aid provided to Sri Lanka. The continued building partner capabilities through security cooperation, encouraging peaceful engagement with Sri Lankan military forces persistent engagement with the premier development, responding to contingencies afforded us both access and capable force in the Army of Nepal. and deterring aggression. ■

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Both Japan and South Korea of government buildings in Seoul, South Thinking ahead Korea, designed to spread fear to their South Korea is positioning itself to react to any are taking steps to ensure that neighbors across the region. North Korean aggression, whether an attack they are by no means helpless Examples include a ground and airborne on home soil or one from a ballistic missile. assault on a mock-up of the South Korean Such a capability to conduct cross-border should North Korea’s sustained government’s “Blue House,” conducted on operations was highlighted in February 2016, aggressive posturing develop August 25, 2017, which comprised a wild mix with an announcement from local media that into actual offensive action. of Unit 525 (the country’s premier special South Korea would be creating a new counter- operations unit) and fire support from the terrorism (CT) special mission unit specifically Aiding them in this endeavor, conventional armed forces. designed to execute clandestine missions are their Australian and US Meanwhile, South Korean and Japanese across the Demilitarized Zone. special operations counterparts continue to An army Special Warfare Command (SWC) allies. By Andrew White build up their own respective capabilities, with source told Shephard that the move dates a view to potentially conducting their own back to South Korean parliamentary records orth Korean Special Operations cross-border surgical strike operations to of September 2015, which centered around an Forces (SOF) continue to publicly neutralize the leadership as well as critical urgent operational requirement to create a unit N demonstrate their capabilities to national infrastructure, should such a to “hit the enemy’s strategically core targets.” the world, with staged assaults on mock-ups requirement arise. The strategy was reinforced in September

Service elements are already training with US MV-22 Ospreys ahead of their entry into service with the Japanese Self- Defense Forces. (Photo: Scott R. Gourley)

GETTING SERIOUS

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2016 by the former Defense Minister, Han Group, formerly designated 5th Special specialisms. SEAL Team 1 is tasked with Min-Koo, who called for a special forces unit Forces Brigade. Similar to US Army SFGs, conducting long-range patrols, maritime to be established, capable of assassinating formations are tasked with unconventional surveillance missions and DA tasks; SEAL North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un. warfare including counter-insurgency, DA, SR Team 2 with underwater demolitions, DA On December 2, 2017, additional media and MA operations. and SR; and Team 3 concentrates on reports surfaced regarding the creation of The SWC also includes the Special Warfare maritime CT, visit, board, search and seizure such a unit which could be tasked with cross- Training Group, which is responsible for (VBSS) and HROs both at home and abroad. border operations targeting high-value targets specialist training courses including insertion Units are also able to perform (combat) associated with the North Korean regime. tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), search and rescue missions, and facilitate The unit was originally understood to have such as military free-fall (MFF), combat diving, EOD and mine warfare tasks with the achieved an initial operating capability by and cold weather operations (CWOs). assistance of external agencies. 2019, although defense sources have South Korean SOF continue to hone their South Korean SOF, which continue to suggested to Shephard that this has been fast- specialist capabilities, including CWOs, with receive upgrades in airborne support, are tracked due to the current security situation. regular training undertaken by the SWC at supported by the air force’s Special Sources associated with US Special the home of the recently concluded 2018 Operations Component which operates MH-47 Operations Command Korea also explained Winter Olympics, Pyeongchang. Chinooks; UH-60P Black Hawks; MD 500 light how the move had included a re-roling of one Additional training includes ground and attack aircraft; and AH-64E Apaches, the of the country’s seven SWC Brigades into a helicopter assault force operations targeting latter having completed deliveries in 2017. dedicated special mission unit. However, the North Korean critical national infrastructure, Chinook and Black Hawk aircraft are used South Korean administration has yet to publicly as well as sniper and reconnaissance to support troop insertion, extraction and declare the existence of such a formation. operations in high-altitude and high-angle resupply, as well as CT roles including The army already possesses a specialist CT conditions. Additionally, service elements serving as airborne sniper platforms, while unit, modeled on the US Army’s Special Forces participate in regular cold weather survival gunships can also be used to support vehicle Operational Detachment “Delta”, which is training. Training serials also feature heavy interdiction missions, as well as providing designated the 707th Special Missions emphasis on joint operations with fire support to ground force elements, Battalion. Comprising just 200 operators, the conventional forces, with a series of live-fire defense sources explained to Shephard. unit remains on short notice to deal with CT exercises aimed at enhancing the target Fixed-wing support is provided by the operations which could include hostage rescue designation of joint fires. air force’s Special Operations Squadron, operations (HROs) and non-combatant The navy’s SWC, meanwhile, comprises a which operates C-130 Hercules transport evacuation (NEO), as well as more general total of three SEAL Teams, which can be aircraft, also used to insert, extract and direct action (DA), special reconnaissance (SR) tasked to conduct unconventional warfare in resupply deployed teams including MFF and military assistance (MA) mission sets. the maritime environment. However, the and low-level parachute and temporary However, any establishment of additional CT various components retain certain landing zone serials. special mission units only reinforces the administration’s assessment of the current security situation, sources added. Republic of Korea Navy SEALs conduct urban warfare drills during an exercise with counterparts from Beyond CT, the SWC continues to build USSOCPAC. (Photo: US DoD) capabilities in response to North Korean aggression, including a focus on CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) capacities.

Imitation game In a bid to further develop strategies, South Korean service components continue to enjoy a close, if not more intimate, relationship with USSOCOM, so much so that multiple components across their command structure continue to be modeled on US counterparts. Both the army and navy operate SWCs, providing an equivalent organization to that of the US Army Special Forces Groups (SFGs) and US Navy SEAL Teams. The army’s SWC includes the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th Special Forces Brigades, as well as the 707th Special Missions Battalion and the Overseas Deployment

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Palpable preparation each of which routinely work alongside SOG The threat from North Korea is deemed so and SBU service elements. severe, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force The SOG, which falls under the operational (JGSDF) has begun to conduct public control of the Central Readiness Force (CRF), capability demonstrations of its own as a is co-located with the JGSDF’s 1st Airborne “show of force” to deter any further actions Brigade and 1st Helicopter Brigade. The SOG by North Korea. comprises a 300-strong service component Such a move represents a significant featuring a total of three Special Forces change in direction for the JGSDF, which has Companies which are further sub-divided traditionally shrouded the Special Operations into platoons. Group (SOG) in secrecy. Similarly, the Japan Republic of Korea Special Forces conduct special According to Japanese MoD literature, Maritime Self-Defense Force’s special purpose insertion/extraction training with Black the CRF and SOG operational remit operations organization – the Special Hawk helicopters. (Photo: US DoD) extends to “quick response to attacks by Boarding Unit (SBU) – has also hidden itself guerrillas and special operations forces, as away from the public glare of the media. capabilities while focusing on the further well as other contingencies in Japan, However, on January 18, 2018, Japan’s enhancement of joint functions in order to international peace cooperation activities Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, welcomed his seamlessly and dynamically fulfil its defense and other overseas missions.” Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, to responsibilities, which include providing Operators are trained in unconventional the headquarters of the SOG at Camp effective deterrence and response to a warfare, DA, SR and MA operations, with Narashino, close to Funabashi, as force variety of security situations, supporting specific investment being made in specialist elements conducted a CT demonstration in stability in the Asia-Pacific region and also insertion techniques including MFF. an urban environment, showcasing some of improving the global security environment.” By contrast, though the SBU has a the unit’s concepts of operation and TTPs. This, sources explained, would include similarly sized force component, the Beyond illustrating the capabilities of the unit, utility of the SOG and SBU in providing a organization is split into SEAL Platoons with the event also provided the SOG with the rapid reaction capability to protect “attacks around 12 operators each. Personnel are opportunity to extend bilateral relations with on [Japan’s] remote island chains.” trained to conduct similar operation types to Australia’s Special Operations Command Additionally, these services remain on the SOG, although platoons also retain the (SOCOMD) as Japan continues to seek extended standby to respond to internal security capacity to conduct maritime CT missions as levels of cooperation and interoperability with situations, including HROs, NEOs and other well as VBSS serials and combat diving. partner nation forces across Asia-Pacific. (maritime) CT tasks. Both SOG and SBU components are Publishing a joint statement on the day of supported by the Japan Air Self-Defense the event, Abe and Turnbull demanded Expeditionary ops Force’s Air Rescue Wing, which retains access “deeper and broader defense cooperation” Arguably one of the most important to a variety of helicopters capable of supporting between the two countries, although they did decisions relating to the future development special operations. Platforms include CH-47J not provide further details regarding specific of Japan’s SOF came in September 2015, Chinooks and UH-60J Black Hawks. collaboration in the special operations when the country’s administration elected The CH-47Js are due to be upgraded in community. However, defense sources to lift restrictions allowing SOG and SBU 2021 onwards, with delivery of six CH-47JA associated with Australian SOCOMD task forces to operate outside the country. airframes in order to “enhance effective explained to Shephard that 2018 and This has resulted in the SBU deploying to response capabilities” of special operations beyond would witness an increase in military the Gulf of Aden as part of a wider coalition organizations, according to official sources. exchanges and joint training operations anti-piracy campaign, as well as the SOG Furthermore, ongoing cooperation with US between force elements including Japan’s operating in Iraq as part of a military SOF has led to the agreed procurement of 17 SOG and SBU, and Australia’s Special Air assistance tasking. Specifically, operators CV-22 tiltrotor Osprey aircraft from Bell-Boeing, Service Regiment; 1st and 2nd Commando were assigned close protection duties in which could significantly enhance the Regiments; and Special Operations support of Japan’s Iraq Reconstruction operational capabilities of the SOG and SBU, Engineering Regiment. and Support Group. especially relating to rapid reaction operations. However, according to Japan’s Defense However, much development undertaken An initial tranche of five aircraft are due to be Plan Budget Expenditure for FY2018, by the SOG and SBU remains the unofficial delivered in 2018 following a USD $332.5 published in May 2017, there continues to responsibility of US Special Operations million contract agreed with the US Defense be no mention of the country’s special Command Pacific, which regularly conducts Security Cooperation Agency back in 2015. operations capability. Indeed, official joint training exercises with indigenous Cooperation with US SOF has also allowed documents only describe ongoing efforts to partner forces. the SOG to train with a series of internally protect Japan from ballistic missile attack, as Examples include joint training with: the transportable vehicles, including Polaris well as threats from “guerillas and special US Army’s 1st Special Forces Group, based Government and Defense’s MRZR-4, providing operations forces.” at Torii Garrison; the USAF’s 353rd SOG, extended reach for “fly-and-drive” mobility Nevertheless, documents did say that based at Yokota Air Base; and the USN’s operations. The SOG and SBU also retain Japan will continue to “build up its defense Special Warfare Unit One, based in Guam, access to C-130H Hercules aircraft. ■

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With ever-increasing remains a popular option to extend force continue to be supported both at national multiplying and strategic effects. and international level with options as armed populations within urban As described in a 2014 US Army report forces seek to benefit from their force areas, militaries globally must considering the future operating environment, multiplying effects. be prepared to undertake the number of megacities (comprising a Coalition course options include NATO’s population of 10 million or more) around the International Special Training Center’s Urban operations in busy, built-up world is expected to rise to 40 by 2025, Sniper Course which features an 11-day environments. Manufacturers presenting significant challenges for special course, conducted at the Joint Multinational operations task groups seeking to execute Readiness Center in Grafenwoehr, Germany. are stepping up to this special reconnaissance, direct action and According to official course documents, the challenge, with sniper solutions counter-terrorism (CT) missions. program is designed to teach operators designed especially for this “teamwork, communication and tactical Training up movement during day and night operations eventuality. By Andrew White However, such requirements demand a within the landscape of select urban blended integration of not only specialist operations sites.” ith the international special concepts of operation, and tactics, Course content provides operators with operations community techniques and procedures (TTPs), but also the ability to engage targets through the W considering next-generation materiel allowing operators to successfully various material types, including glass and technology types to extend operational execute a mission in such environments. walls, which will be encountered in the effectiveness in urban warfare and other high- Urban sniper training courses are nothing urban environment, as well as at multiple angle environments, the utility of sniper teams new for the international community and ranges starting from as close as 109yd (100m). Additional content features fieldcraft and TTPs, enabling sniper teams to covertly insert, execute and extract from target areas. To date, the course has

A sniper trains to engage targets through materials, including glass, in order to understand its effect on the ballistic properties of ammunition types. (Photo: US DoD)

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supported operators from the SF of Belgium, International, Barrett Firearms Remington is believed to be repitching Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Manufacturing, SAKO and Remington, were a variant of its MSR. Norway, Switzerland and the UK. provided a chance to pitch their solutions Accuracy’s AXMC rifle, according to a to program managers at the Naval Surface company source, can change caliber “in Materiel matters Warfare Center Crane, Indiana, between minutes” during field conditions and is a On the materiel side, urban sniper December 5-7, 2017, which included 15lb weapon system measuring 49.2in operations require specialist equipment review of performance specifications and when fully extended and 40.9in with folded capable of providing operators with a test equipment. buttstock. The AXMC has a ten-round selection of weapon systems, ammunition “The ASR is designed to address the capacity magazine. The company also types and optical sights, generating a operational requirements of the sniper and explained to Shephard how any caliber “toolkit” approach which can be tailored for enhance operational effectiveness of special alteration required a change in barrel, specific mission sets. operations forces operators,” official bolt assembly and magazine. Modularity remains a key theme in 2017, documentation confirmed, while noting that providing a central capability in USSOCOM’s a full RfP is expected to be published in Making selections Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) solicitation, a February 2018. At the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on final version of which was published on Current requirements for the ASR include January 24, Barrett demonstrated its MRAD November 21, 2017. As this issue went to a COTS rifle, with a maximum weight of 17lb to Shephard, with company president Chris press, the service had conducted a series of when unloaded, and a maximum length of Barrett describing the rifle as a industry days starting on December 5, 2017, 50in without a suppressor attached. An “configurable, long-range precision system” aimed at providing a greater understanding initial solicitation has also called for accuracy capable of supporting multiple caliber types. of capabilities in this area. between 0.5 and 1.5 minute of angle at He went on to explain how an operator could However, USSOCOM’s decision to ranges out to 300m, applicable to all rapidly change caliber in field conditions with progress with the ASR requirement is cartridge sizes. the exchange of two bolts on the upper nothing new for the Tampa-based Accuracy International is offering up a receiver in order to switch out a barrel. Command, which in 2009 initiated the variant of its AX-series rifles, while Barrett However, the MRAD’s modularity is not Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) program, will be putting forward its Multi-Role Adaptive just restricted to caliber. Barrett’s also aimed at providing a multi-caliber Design (MRAD) product. SAKO is understood international sales manager, Jordan Progar, solution for operators. Having selected to be offering its TRG-42 and, finally, described how the rifle has a foldable Remington’s Modular Sniper Rifle buttstock, which can also be adjusted (MSR) in July 2013, the concept was The international special operations community continues in length as well in terms of its to train snipers in CT TTPs, including short-range and high- later scrapped by the service for modular cheekpiece. Similar to the angle fire missions conducted in urban environments. undisclosed reasons. (Photo: US DoD) AXMC, the system has a ten-round- The ASR program aims to replace capacity magazine and has a USSOCOM’s existing armory of bolt maximum weight of 14.72lb, action rifles, which includes the dependent upon caliber selection. MK13, MK40 and M24. In October 2017, the New Zealand According to program officials, the Defence Force (NZDF) selected the command is seeking a modular and MRAD as part of a US$2.8 million multi-caliber bolt-action sniper rifle contract, which also includes the capable of engagements to beyond provision of Barrett’s larger-caliber 1,500m (1,640yd). The selected sniper rifle – the 12.7mm (.50cal) weapon must be able to host a M107A1. variety of sniper calibers in order to According to NZDF officials, force provide the operator with the full components including the Special Air breadth of mission capabilities as Service Regiment will receive 42 previously listed. This includes MRAD and 40 M107A1 sniper rifles 7.62x51mm NATO, .300 Norma with associated spare parts. An official Magnum (.300NM) and .338 Norma statement from the force also Magnum (.338NM), with the added explained how the M107A1 would benefit of operators being able to allow shooters to “identify and engage quickly switch between calibers in effectively vehicle or installation field conditions as opposed to targets with precision to 1,500m.” delivering weapons to specialist A similar strategy has been armorers back at an FOB. implemented by the Ukrainian Special Participating companies, which Operations Command, which – following industry sources suggested to an FMS agreement with the US on Shephard included Accuracy December 22, 2017 – is also set to

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receive an undisclosed number of M107A1 launched the product at the AUSA exhibition anti-materiel rifles from Barrett. Urban sniper in Washington, DC in October 2017. Also illustrating current requirements Designed to act as an “in-line” solution driven by the operating environment, is the training mounted ahead of an optical weapon sight, Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics the F7030 provides a sniper with third- Organization (DALO), which – on November courses are generation image intensification – a 3, 2017 – released a pair of requirements capability previously provided to special to identify options for both short- and nothing new for operations forces with the companies’ AN/ medium-range precision rifles. PVS-30 solution. The short-range PSR concept comprises a the international A spokesperson for Harris Corporation was requirement for a semi-automatic capability, unable to comment on specific mission which – defense sources explained to community. parameters, but sources suggested to Shephard – was better suited for CT Shephard that the F7030 would be able to missions where a marksman might be support low-light, long-range engagements required to engage multiple targets in rapid as any other sniper or DMR solution, the out to 1,094yd dependent upon ambient succession. The DALO is seeking a P-VPS/PAL is expected to include light conditions. 7.62x51mm solution, with an option for a magnification up to x25, an integrated laser detachable suppressor and maximum rangefinder with visible and IR designator, Mounting tension effective range out to 875yd. This means a and a ballistic calculator with settings Finally, Paradigm SRP also unveiled a solution smaller form factor when compared with blended into the operator’s sight picture, at the SHOT Show which could have significant larger-caliber sniper rifles, allowing for easier allowing for more rapid and accurate target implications for airborne snipers conducting operation in confined spaces, such as those engagements, even with a bolt-action rifle in vehicle interdiction and other overwatch associated with urban warfare. adverse environmental conditions. missions from rotary-wing platforms. The Precision Rifle Medium requirement, Aspirations also call for its integration The company has launched the Talon high- however, demands a .338 Lapua Magnum with the Advanced Weather Station Kestrel precision stabilized sniper weapons mount, caliber solution which would provide a 5700 handheld unit, used to record which can be fitted to the door frame of both marksman with a maximum effective range meteorological data and environmental commercial and military helicopter types. out to 1,312yd. Additional requirements call effects on bullet trajectory. Defense sources explained to Shephard that for a lighter-weight rifle with either a semi- Other desirable features are a wireless airborne snipers are routinely deployed to automatic or bolt-action operating system. data transfer capability, which would enable provide overwatch in CT missions. This can DALO will run a pre-qualification test the sharing of targeting of information from include the disabling of vehicles and program, which is due to be completed other platforms, as well as the ability to work restricting the movement of “squirters” or during April 2018, the solicitation explained. in tandem with clip-on INOD BLK III and AN/ runners away from the scene who might PVS-30 sights already in service with have evaded ground forces. Setting one’s sights USSOCOM force components. The selected To date, airborne snipers have relied upon No matter how mature a rifle design, its sight must have already achieved Technology straps, ropes and even beanbags in order to operational effectiveness remains highly Readiness Level 6 ahead of evaluation by stabilize rifles in helicopter doorways, where dependent upon not only TTPs but also USSOCOM, the solicitation adds. constant movement and vibration can optical weapon sights and, in some cases, Seeking to minimize any additional dramatically affect marksmanship. fire control systems. burden on operators, USSOCOM has Currently, the Talon is capable of As part of the wider drive to uplift the stipulated a maximum weight of 1.8kg, supporting 7.62x51mm DMRs with a man- capabilities of sniper teams, USSOCOM is which would include the additional load portable weapons mount with an all-up also pursuing a next-generation optical from: the internal or external power weight of 64lb, company officials explained. weapon sight program in the form of the solution; user interface; cables; and It would, they added, allow a sniper to Precision Variable Power Scope/Precision weapons mount. The selected sight must quickly stabilize their weapon system in Aiming Laser (P-VPS/PAL). also be able to survive insertion/extraction order to extend range capabilities out to First revealed to the market on April 28, underwater, at depths down to 66ft for a a range of 711yd. 2017 as a solicitation on the Federal duration of up to two hours, making it Company officials confirmed that Heckler Business Opportunities website, the P-VPS/ suitable for maritime special operations. & Koch’s HK417 has already been integrated PAL aims to provide precision target January’s SHOT Show also provided with the Talon as the manufacturer continues engagement out to a maximum range of additional technology options capable of to demonstrate the capability to the 1,600m. However, the concept is starting out supporting the most contemporary operating international special operations community. as an R&D program, with a series of requirements demanded by the special Paradigm SRP also informed Shephard it Technical Experimentation phases running operations sniper teams. is in the process of designing a heavier from August 21, 2017 onwards. Harris Corporation and Knights Armament variant of the Talon, capable of supporting Capable of integration onto the rail Company used the event to promote the 12.7mm/.50cal anti-materiel rifles such as adaptor system of the selected ASR, as well F7030 Gen 3 clip-on optical gunsight, having the Barrett M107A1. ■

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Michael Windfeldt, president and CEO of Maxim Defense Industries, identified a number of the company’s emerging efforts which have application to the SOF community. Solution seeking uring the recent “Media Day at the the first duty stock of PDW style: “From my Range,” held in Boulder City, understanding, we are the only PDW-style D Nevada, the day before the start of stock in federal service.” the 2018 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade In addition, Windfeldt said that Maxim (SHOT) Show in nearby Las Vegas, Shephard Defense developed a custom stock for the FBI spoke with Michael Windfeldt who gave an Hostage Rescue Team. “They wanted some insight into the beginnings of Maxim Defense. modifications to it based on the way they use “Maxim Defense was founded with the idea it and then from there we’ve just continued to of developing products for Tier 1 military/law develop different products based on coming Photo: Adam Bettcher for Maxim Defense enforcement/government agencies,” he began. across unique problems where we felt we “My own background isn’t from firearms – it’s could offer the right solutions.” we’re partnered with them,” he said. “One of from other industries – and I really noticed that the projects is that they have to ‘dumb down’ there are a lot of things lacking in this industry their ammo to work with some existing as far as how to properly develop products and systems. What we’re working on is to build provide solutions for problems. After all, people People don’t a weapon that optimizes that ammunition.” don’t buy products. They buy solutions to their Windfeldt pointed to a number of emerging problems. So, we went out and started looking buy products. company efforts involving integrated for those problems where we might be able to They buy solutions to suppression and signature reduction. “We develop solutions. And that’s kind of where we have a signature reduction device that is got started.” their problems. designed to go on the front of something like an M4 that adds very little to the length, Project partners but completely eliminates the flash. It also Windfeldt said that one of the company’s first reduces your decibels to the point where you projects involved “working with a partner that In the identification of product don’t need hearing protection. Then we’ll was doing the SURG [Suppressed Upper opportunities, he highlighted the importance have a suppressor that would actually mount Receiver Group] project” for the USN. “They of the company’s internal R&D team, which on the front of it. So, it’s a two-piece system. had the [SURG] but there was an overall he described as “all veterans or still on “Our goal is that it would be the standard length requirement,” he explained. “As a reserve duty.” As an example, Windfeldt muzzle device for active combatants because result, they wanted to put a PDW [personal added: “My head of development is still you would have better communications with defense weapon]-style stock on the unit, so with 19th Special Forces Group [one of two signature reduction, and then you could add they would have more real estate out front. National Guard Special Forces Groups] and suppression to that,” he explained. So, basically, we developed a PDW-style stock they have a lot of ideas about things that He noted that other company efforts are that took two inches off the back of the AR they wanted or they could have really used being directed toward optimizing the new platform, but it was built as a duty stock, so when they were downrange.” M-LOK [Modular Lock] accessory mounting it was simple but rugged.” In terms of one potential product now in options. “We’re actually looking for Tier 1 Another early partnership involved working the R&D pipeline, he pointed to “a combat operators to go run our stuff for a few months with Colt on a new Sub-Compact Weapon shotgun that we’re working on right now, with and break it,” he said. “The faster they break (SCW) stock. Windfeldt said: “With that a stick mag and a semi-auto/full-auto select.” it, the quicker we learn.” partnership we went through all the military Windfeldt noted that the company is also He concluded: “Our operating philosophy is qualification testing, all of the metallurgy working with DSG to optimize some of the that these guys are putting their lives on the testing and everything else, where we learned “special capability” that the latter brings to the line with our stuff. We’re simply not going to things like what parts had to be hardened.” ammunition market (see SOF Jul-Aug 2017, be the ones that fail them. That’s the filter He also noted that those early efforts led to p32). “I’m an investor in their company and that we run everything through.” ▪ 28 SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORUM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 WWW.SPECIAL-OPS.COM

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