McCullough - Ultimate Guide to U.S. Special Forces Skills, Tactics, and Techniques

Edited by
Jay McCullough

Skyhorse Publishing

Copyright 2012 by Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

ISBN: 978-1-61608-208-6

Printed in Canada

TK

Jay Mccullough

November 2009

North Haven, Connecticut

Special Forces operational detachments A (SFODAs) must conduct a detailed mission analysis to determine an appropriate method of infiltration. SF maritime operations are one of the many options available to a commander to infiltrate and exfiltrate a detachment into (or out of) a designated area of operations (AO) for the purpose of executing any of the SF missions. A thorough understanding of all factors impacting waterbornerelated missions is essential due to the inherently higher levels of risk associated with even the most routine waterborne operations. The objective of this chapter is to outline mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support availabletime available and civil considerations (METT-TC) and planning considerations needed to successfully execute all types of waterborne operations.

1-1. Over five-eighths of the earths surface is covered by water. SF units conduct waterborne operations to infiltrate a designated target area from these water-covered areas. Regardless of whether an AO has exposed coastlines, coastal river junctions, or harbors, many areas will have large rivers, lakes, canals, or other inland waterways located within their boundaries. These maritime or riverine features represent exploitable characteristics that special operations forces (SOF) can use to their advantage.

1-2. Throughout the world, military equipment sales programs by various countries have caused a proliferation of advanced radar technologies and coastal air defense systems. As local governments seek to exercise greater control over their indigenous territories, these facilities and the associated risks to SOF units normal means of infiltration and exfiltration will continue to increase. Waterborne infiltrations and exfiltrations keep the highvalue air, surface, or subsurface infiltration assets offshore and out of the detection and threat ranges of coastal defense installations.

1-3. Waterborne operations are a means to an end. Despite the increased use of sophisticated coastal surveillance systems and active surface and air interdiction efforts on the part of regional governments, local inhabitants continue to engage in various illicit activities; for example, smuggling and illegal fishing just as their forebears have for centuries. In many parts of the world, long coastlines, extensive waterways, and small undermanned and underpaid navies exacerbate these problems. The clandestine nature and high probability of success for these illicit operations mirrors SF units requirements for successful infiltrations into, or exfiltrations out of, potentially hostile areas of responsibility (AORs).

1-4. Personnel involved in waterborne operations require extensive knowledge of hydrography, meteorology, navigation, and maritime operations (MAROPS). They must be able to conduct realistic premission training, gather information, plan, rehearse, and use the appropriate waterborne operations technique to accomplish their assigned mission.

1-5. Commanders use sophisticated techniques and equipment to conduct waterborne operations. When used correctly, these factors give commanders another means to move teams and influence the battlefield. The skills and techniques used in waterborne operations are equally applicable to all SF missions, especially direct action (DA), special reconnaissance (SR), unconventional warfare (UW), and foreign internal defense (FID). Internal mission support taskings and humanitarian assistance (HA) missions may also require waterborne operations capability.

1-6. The successful execution of any operation is directly related to thorough and detailed planning. Mission planning begins with a detailed analysis of METT-TC questions (), with qualifiers pertaining to waterborne operations, that the SFODA must consider when selecting a method of infiltration.

Table 1-1. METT-TC analysis