E DITED BY: DITED BY: SPECIAL D R. E M I LY SPENCER LY OPERATIONS FORCES: SPECIAL OPERATI A NATIONAL CAPABILITY O N S F O RCE S : A N ATI O NAL C APA B ILITY EDITED BY: DR. EMILY SPENCER SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES Special Operations Forces: A National Capability EDITED BY: Dr. Emily Spencer Copyright © 2011 Her Majesty the Queen, in right of Canada as represented by the Minister of National Defence. Canadian Defence Academy Press PO Box 17000 Stn Forces Kingston, Ontario K7K 7B4 Produced for the Canadian Defence Academy Press by 17 Wing Winnipeg Publishing Office. WPO30698 Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Special operations forces : a national capability / edited by Emily Spencer. Produced for the Canadian Defence Academy Press by 17 Wing Winnipeg Publishing Office. Includes bibliographical references and index. Available also on the Internet. Issued by: Canadian Defence Academy. ISBN 978-1-100-18933-8 (bound).--ISBN 978-1-100-18934-5 (pbk.) Cat. no.: D2-278/1-2011E (bound) Cat. no.: D2-278/2-2011E (pbk.) 1. Special forces (Military science)--Canada. 2. Special forces (Military science)-- Canada--Congresses. 3. Special operations (Military science)--Canada. 4. Canada. Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. I. Spencer, Emily II. Canadian Defence Academy III. Canada. Canadian Armed Forces. Wing, 17 U262 S63 2011 356’.16 C2011-980103-5 Printed in Canada. 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword Brigadier-General D.W. Thompson ......... iii Introduction ...................................... v ChapTER 1 The Canadian Special Operations Forces’ Legacy Colonel Bernd Horn, PhD ................. 1 ChapTER 2 Special Operations Forces Force Development Colonel Bob Kelly ...................... 81 ChapTER 3 Special Operations Forces: Shaping the Area of Operations Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Rouleau .......... 87 ChapTER 4 Shaping Operations: Special Operations Forces as a National Enabler US Colonel (Retired) James F. Powers, Jr. .... 95 ChapTER 5 Special Operations Forces: an Economy of Force Option for Canada? Dr. David A. Charters ................. 111 ChapTER 6 Finding the Right Balance: Special Operations Forces as an Economy of Force Capability US Captain (Navy) Thomas C. Sass ....... 147 ChapTER 7 “Lethal Three-card Monte”: Special Operations Forces and Economy of Effort Operations in Southern Afghanistan Dr. Sean M. Maloney .................. 179 ChapTER 8 Reflections of a Journalist David Pugliese ....................... 197 TABLE OF CONTENTS ChapTER 9 Stepping Out of the Shadows: Canadian Special Operations Forces and Media Relations Dr. Emily Spencer ..................... 205 Contributors .....................................237 Glossary of Abbreviations .......................... 241 Index ...........................................247 FORewoRD Many would argue that the 21st century brought with it the “perfect storm” of conditions that has now created substantial global instability. Characterized by complexity, ambiguity and volatility, and underscored by the proliferation of the mass media, success in the contemporary operating environment (COE) will require agile, adaptable and rapid response forces that are capable of helping to project national interests. The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) was created in February 2006 to provide the Government of Canada (GoC) with a range of unique capabilities to address most of the mission sets in the Canada First Defence Strategy (CFDS). With personnel drawn from all Canadian Forces (CF) components and occupations, CANSOFCOM provides the correct balance of skill sets and knowledge required to operate effectively alongside conventional forces in the COE. In light of the requirement to work closely together with all de- fence and governmental partners, while adhering to the necessity of operational security, it is now time to encourage a dialogue with our partners from within the defence community, the media, and the Canadian public in order to gain a variety of perspectives on defence issues and avoid being inward looking and myopic re- garding our present and future capabilities. Certainly Canadian Special Operations Forces (CANSOF) are a unique and vital nation- al enabler and it is important to explore this capability through a variety of lenses in order to best prepare for the future operating environment (FOE). As such, the Special Operations Forces Symposium held at the Royal Military College of Canada, 6-8 December 2010, was an im- portant step in expanding this dialogue. This volume represents iii FOREWORD an amalgam of the presentations and ideas that were put forward by scholars and military practitioners in order to both educate, as well as create, discourse on the subject of SOF. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I introduce this collection of essays that explain, analyze and discuss how Special Operations Forces in general, and CANSOF in particular, provide the GoC with a unique national capability that has proven to be effective in the COE and will certainly prove to be equally as valuable in the FOE. As our Command motto, Viam Inveniemus (we will find a way), suggests, despite the volatile, uncertain and unconventional nature of the COE – and perhaps even because of it – we will continue to provide a vital national capability to the GoC. D.W. Thompson Brigadier-General Commander Canadian Special Operations Forces Command iv INTRODUCTION Very few Canadians understand the concept of special operations forces (SOF), much less the idea that the nation currently has a well-respected, world class SOF capability. This capability had its genesis in a much earlier period, however. Canada’s SOF legacy reaches back to the founding of the country. In fact, the “Ranger Tradition,” which is considered by many to be the foundation of a number of American SOF units such as the US Special Forces and the US Rangers, quite arguably began in Canada. Indeed, Canada’s SOF and “SOF-like” forces from the daring raids of French-Canadian partisans in the struggle for North America, to Loyalist raiders during the American Revolution, to various units in the Second World War and the postwar era, have always provided an important contribution to Canada’s national security and interests. Quite simply, history demonstrates that SOF is an important national capability and one which our nation has relied on for centuries. While the original emphasis on special men/women, special train- ing and special missions has remained true, SOF have nonetheless evolved. The traditional mission sets have changed and our cur- rent understanding of SOF reflects the more nuanced and complex security environment in which SOF operates today and its pivotal responsibilities therein. SOF are now doctrinally defined as: ...organizations containing specially selected personnel that are organized, equipped and trained to conduct high- risk, high value special operations to achieve military, political, economic or informational objectives by using special and unique operational methodologies in hostile, denied or politically sensitive areas to achieve desired tactical, operational and/or strategic effects in times of peace, conflict or war. v INTRODUCTION This book captures some of the complexities that define Canadian special operations forces, as well as the contemporary operating environment. Based on presentations and papers delivered at the Royal Military College of Canada/Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (RMCC/CANSOFCOM) Symposium “SOF: A National Capability” held at RMCC on 6-8 December 2010, this volume provides insights and perspectives of both SOF practi- tioners and scholars. It also marks a growing effort to develop a distinct Canadian body of SOF knowledge to both assist the pro- fessional development of the SOF community and, importantly, to assist with raising awareness of the pivotal role SOF plays in con- tributing to advancing Canadian national interests and security. As such, the book begins by describing the Canadian SOF legacy, which clearly articulates the country’s longstanding experience with SOF and SOF-like organizations and how SOF has evolved through the decades to meet the nation’s needs. Under the broad theme of SOF as a national capability and enabler, the volume then moves on to look at crucial components of force development and ways in which SOF help to shape the area of operations. Subse- quently, SOF: A National Capability explores important issues such as the role of SOF as an economy of effort/economy of force option in the contemporary operating environment and it also examines the budding media-SOF relationship. In sum, SOF: A National Capability provides important insights into the contributions of SOF in general and within the Canadian case in particular. This volume is meant to increase understanding and encourage discussion on this very important national capability. vi CHAPTER 1 THE CANADIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES’ LegacY COLONEL BERND HORN, PhD In October 2001, the Canadian minister of national defence (MND) was repeatedly criticized by the media for the perceived failure of not doing enough to assist our American brethren in Afghanistan in the aftermath of the tragic terrorist attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, in the early morning hours of 11 September 2001 (9/11). During one such scrum, the MND finally revealed that Canada was indeed helping. In fact, he made mention that Canadian “commandos” were supporting the American effort in theatre. The revelation came as a