Joint Publication 3-05 Special Operations 16 July 2014 PREFACE 1. Scope This publication provides overarching doctrine for special operations and the employment and support for special operations forces across the range of military operations. 2. Purpose This publication has been prepared under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). It sets forth joint doctrine to govern the activities and performance of the Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis for interagency coordination and for US military involvement in multinational operations. It provides military guidance for the exercise of authority by combatant commanders and other joint force commanders and prescribes joint doctrine for operations, education, and training. It provides military guidance for use by the Armed Forces in preparing their appropriate plans. It is not the intent of this publication to restrict the authority of the joint force commander from organizing the force and executing the mission in a manner the joint force commander deems most appropriate to ensure unity of effort in the accomplishment of the overall objective. 3. Application a. Joint doctrine established in this publication applies to the Joint Staff, commanders of combatant commands, subunified commands, joint task forces, subordinate components of these commands, the Services, and combat support agencies. b. The guidance in this publication is authoritative; as such, this doctrine will be followed except when, in the judgment of the commander, exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise. If conflicts arise between the contents of this publication and the contents of Service publications, this publication will take precedence unless the CJCS, normally in coordination with the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has provided more current and specific guidance. Commanders of forces operating as part of a multinational (alliance or coalition) military command should follow multinational doctrine and procedures ratified by the United States. For doctrine and procedures not ratified by the United States, commanders should evaluate and follow the multinational command’s doctrine and procedures, where applicable and consistent with US law, regulations, and doctrine. For the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: DAVID L. GOLDFEIN, Lt Gen, USAF Director, Joint Staff i Preface Intentionally Blank ii JP 3-05 SUMMARY OF CHANGES REVISION OF JOINT PUBLICATION 3-05 DATED 18 APRIL 2011 • Merges material from Joint Publication (JP) 3-05.1, Joint Special Operations Task Force, which is consequently rescinded following approval of JP 3-05, Special Operations. • Expands the discussion of special operations joint task force, to include the addition of a vignette and a definition. • Clarifies and defines preparation of the environment, operational preparation of the environment, and advance force operations. • Revises special operations activities. • Defines and discusses counter threat finance. • Modifies doctrine in regard to command and control of special operations forces. • Expands discussion of intelligence support to special operations. • Adds sections on civil affairs operations, countering weapons of mass destruction, military working dogs, and engineer support. • Adds numerous vignettes throughout publication. • Adds Appendix A, “Joint Special Operations Task Force Organization,” and Appendix B, “Joint Special Operations Task Force Headquarters Staff Checklist.” • Modifies, adds, and removes multiple terms and definitions from JP 1-02, DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. iii Summary of Changes Intentionally Blank iv JP 3-05 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................... ix CHAPTER I OVERVIEW OF SPECIAL OPERATIONS Introduction ................................................................................................................. I-1 Special Operations ...................................................................................................... I-1 Designated Special Operations Forces........................................................................ I-3 Characteristics of Special Operations ......................................................................... I-5 Special Operations Across the Range of Military Operations .................................... I-8 CHAPTER II SPECIAL OPERATIONS CORE ACTIVITIES Introduction ................................................................................................................II-1 Special Operations Core Activities ............................................................................II-2 CHAPTER III COMMAND AND CONTROL OF SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES Introduction .............................................................................................................. III-1 Assignment of Special Operations Forces ............................................................... III-4 Special Operations Forces Joint Task Force ............................................................ III-4 Command and Control of Special Operations Forces in Theater ............................ III-5 Command and Control of Special Operations Forces across the Range of Military Operations ................................................................................................ III-12 Special Operations Coordination, Liaison, and Distributed Command Elements ............................................................................................... III-18 Interdependence of Conventional Forces and Special Operations Forces ............. III-23 Interorganizational Coordination ........................................................................... III-24 Multinational Forces and Operations ..................................................................... III-25 CHAPTER IV SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES Introduction .............................................................................................................. IV-1 Intelligence Support ................................................................................................. IV-1 Operational Contract Support .................................................................................. IV-5 Logistic Support ....................................................................................................... IV-5 Host-Nation Support ................................................................................................ IV-7 Multinational Support .............................................................................................. IV-8 Intergovernmental and Nongovernmental Organizations Support .......................... IV-8 Service-Provided Capabilities .................................................................................. IV-9 Communications Systems Support .......................................................................... IV-9 Public Affairs Support ........................................................................................... IV-10 v Table of Contents Combat Camera Support ........................................................................................ IV-10 Legal Support ......................................................................................................... IV-11 Protection ............................................................................................................... IV-11 Fire Support ........................................................................................................... IV-11 Air Support............................................................................................................. IV-12 Maritime Support ................................................................................................... IV-12 Space Support ........................................................................................................ IV-13 Meteorological and Oceanographic Support ......................................................... IV-14 Cyberspace Operations Support ............................................................................. IV-14 Electronic Warfare ................................................................................................. IV-15 Civil Affairs Operations ......................................................................................... IV-15 Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Support ............................................... IV-15 Military Working Dogs/Multipurpose Canines ..................................................... IV-16 Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Support Element ...................................... IV-16 Counter Threat Finance .......................................................................................... IV-16 Explosive Ordnance Disposal ................................................................................ IV-17 APPENDIX A Joint Special Operations Task Force Organizational Considerations ....... A-1 B Joint Special Operations Task Force Headquarters Staff Checklists .........B-1 C References ..................................................................................................C-1 D Administrative Instructions ....................................................................... D-1 GLOSSARY Part I Abbreviations and Acronyms .................................................................