FM 6-20-10: Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for The Targeting Process
APPENDIX H
TARGETING CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS
SOFs are specially trained, equipped, and organized. They conduct operations against strategic, operational, or tactical targets in pursuit of military, political, or psychological objectives. Army special operations forces (ARSOF) consist of the following:
Navy special operations forces (NAVSOF) consist of SEAL teams and SEAL delivery teams. Air Force special operations forces (AFSOF) consist of special operations wings that can provide fire support and/or delivery of SOF. SOF are an integral part of the joint targeting process.
SOF operate in areas denied to other forces due to political, tactical, environmental, or geographic reasons. Their missions include all of the following:
- Foreign internal defense (FID).
- Unconventional warfare (UW).
- SR.
- Direct action (DA).
- Counterterrorism (CT).
- CA.
- PSYOP.
They may also be tasked to perform collateral activities, such as security assistance, humanitarian assistance, antiterrorism, and other security activities. SOF may be involved in counterdrug operations, personnel recovery, and special activities. These missions are fully explained in Joint Pub 3-05 and FM 100-25. The SO missions that may require fire support are DA, SR, and to a lesser extent FID and UW.
SOF are task-organized to conduct these SO missions. For the purpose of this manual, SF, Ranger, and SEALs conduct missions requiring targeting. CA, PSYOP, ARSOF, AFSOF, and general-purpose (GP) force assets support those requirements.
Special operations are often conducted before the arrival of GP forces or against targets far from established support bases. Operating in denied areas requires detailed planning and coordination. Units supporting special operations should be familiar with Joint Pub 3-05.5.
SOF support requirements include the following:
The discriminate and precise use of force with minimal collateral damage in these areas are important to the success of an operation.
Special operations normally require a 120-hour mission planning period. The planning time considers the increased intelligence-gathering activities and rehearsals needed when infiltrating SOF into denied areas. The planning time includes planning for support from other components. Conversely, because of the time needed, units that operate on shorter planning schedules often find it difficult to coordinate and integrate SO support.
The joint force special operations component (JFSOC) is a functional component for SO. It normally exercises day-to-day OPCON of assigned or attached SOF through a system of internal service components. Based on guidance from the JFC, the JFSOC commander allocates forces against strategic or operational targets, for combined or coalition support operations, as well as for tasks supporting component commanders. The missions often include coordination with PSYOP, CA and SOA assets. The missions are verified during the joint targeting process.
The SOCCE is provided to a supported operational headquarters by an Army special operations task force. The mission of the SOCCE is to synchronize SOF operations with GP force operational and intelligence requirements. The synchronization is necessary to enhance the SOF and GP force missions. It also helps reduce the possibility of fratricide. Fratricide danger increases as GP forces begin operating in formerly denied areas and physical integration of forces is possible.
The SOCCE directly controls deployed special operations forces under tactical control (TACON) to the GP force commander. It is normally collocated with the supported commander's command post and provides the required communications links with deployed SOF elements. It ensures that intelligence data and FSCMs are exchanged between the GP maneuver forces and the deployed SOF elements.
Terminal guidance operations (TGO) involve electronic, mechanical, visual, or other assistance to aircraft, missiles, ships, and artillery assets. It facilitates target acquisition throughout the operational area by ground elements. TGO may be conducted independently or in conjunction with GP forces and/or other SOF. They may be conducted during war or in support of OOTW. In a conventional environment, TGO are conducted on the threat side of the FSCL. TGO may also be conducted in denied areas or in a nonconventional environment where coordination lines have not or cannot be defined.
A terminal guidance operation is one type of SOF direct action mission. As with all SO, the interface between the ground element and the strike platform requires detailed planning and coordination. Fire support planning incorporates all available weapon systems that are in, or may be introduced into, the joint operational area. Units involved in TGO should be familiar with the following:
SOF SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS
COMMAND AND CONTROL
TERMINAL GUIDANCE OPERATIONS
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