Posted on 08/13/2005 10:04:06 AM PDT by SevenMinusOne
Special operations forces eye terrorists By Rowan Scarborough THE WASHINGTON TIMES August 12, 2005
U.S. Special Operations Command has drafted a war plan that sets up procedures for how its commandos will work with other regional commands across the globe to hunt for senior Islamic terrorists.
The complex plan from SoCom in Tampa, Fla., has been in the works since summer 2002, when Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld signed a secret directive authorizing it. His memo directed SoCom to come up with a plan for dispatching special operations forces on quick notice to virtually any spot in the world to kill or capture terrorists.
The Washington Times learned of the developing plan this week from defense sources, who said it is encountering resistance from some regional headquarters that object to SoCom operating autonomously in their territory. The plan has yet to be presented to Mr. Rumsfeld.
The sources, who were guarded in discussing the plan, said one of its key statements is that SoCom will "synchronize" counterterror missions with other regional headquarters that the Pentagon calls "combatant commands." These include Central Command, which is responsible for the Persian Gulf, and Pacific Command, which runs operations in Asia.
One source said the word describing the command-to-command relationship violates what many in the Pentagon want SoCom to do.
"Synchronize doesn't mean 'lead' or 'command,' " said the source, who asked not to be named.
Some of the commands also have said they can take on some of the duties SoCom is planning, such as strategic information operations, defense sources said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
ping
I thought this post was about Rumsfeld having some time of eye surgery.
the wife's boss was part of Pheonix. Rarely if ever talked about it, but wanted to hear ALL the stories that I had from Iraq and Bosnia.
Agreed - Though a sound segment does (and it is happening).
Funny -- I pretty much read the opposite in this article. I looks to me like the Wash Times asked SoCom a number of questions, and SoCom basically refused to respond with any useful information. Looks like good opsec to me.
Interesting. I'll have to read this later, see what the reaction was...
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