What all types of military operations come under the category of special operations?

Question

What all types of military operations come under the category of special operations?

Answer 1

US special operations units from all services are organized under the unified command of US Special Operations Command, located at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL. US SOCOM and it's mission was established by law in TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART I > CHAPTER 6 > § 167.

The law states that US SOCOM shall be responsible for the following activities:

(1) Direct action.

(2) Strategic reconnaissance.

(3) Unconventional warfare.

(4) Foreign internal defense.

(5) Civil affairs.

(6) Psychological operations.

(7) Counterterrorism.

(8) Humanitarian assistance.

(9) Theater search and rescue.

(10) Such other activities as may be specified by the President or the Secretary of Defense.

The roles of Special Operations are codified by law. Now let's talk about the difference between Roles, Missions and Functions, terms that those outside the military confuse quite a bit.

Roles are broad and enduring purposes for which the entity was created by law.



Missions are tasks assigned to combatant commanders by the National Command Authority (President/Secretary of Defense)

Functions are specific responsibilities assigned by the NCA to enable fullfillment of their roles.

There are also tasks, capabilities, objectives and operations.

The mission of US SOCOM is..."Provide fully capable Special Operations Forces to defend the United States and its interests. Plan and synchronize operations against terrorist networks"...pretty vauge huh?

US SOCOM is comprised of the following commands: Army Special Operations Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Marine Special Operations Command, Naval Special Warfare Command and Joint Special Operations Command.

The specific units of the command are:

16th Special Operations Wing (USAF)

919th Special Operations Wing (USAFRC)

27th Special Operations Wing (USAF)

193rd Special Operations Wing (ANG)

352 Special Operations Group (USAF)

353 Special Operations Group (USAF)

US Air Force Special Operations School

18th Flight Test Squadron

US Special Forces (Army)

75th Ranger Infantry Regiment (Army)

160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment "Nightstalkers" (Army)

4th Psychological Operations Group (Army)

95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Army)

Special Operations Sustainment Brigade (Army)

JFK Special Warfare Center (Army)

Sea Air Land (SEAL) Teams (USN)

SEAL Delivery Teams (USN)

Special Boat Teams/Special Boat Units (USN)

Marine Special Operations Battalions (USMC)

Marine Special Operations Advisor Group (USMC)

Marine Special Operations Support Group (USMC)

Marine Special Operations School (USMC)

Combat Applications Group (Cover name for 1rst Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta-Delata Force) (Joint Special Operations Command)

Naval Special Wafare Development Group (Former SEAL Team 6) (Joint Special Operations Command)

Intelligence Support Activity (Joint Special Operations Command)

24th Special Tactics Squadron (AFSOC component of Joint Special Operations Command)

Each unit has it's specialties with the codified functions:

For example the Rangers are experts at seizing airports and airfields, a type of direct action function.

Each of the functions/activities are broad and apply to each unit differently. For example, a direct action for a SEAL platoon might be an anti-shipping attack in a harbor and destroying a mountain top radar site for a Ranger unit.

Hope this helps, take care.