B-1. An ARSOTF provides a SOCCE to its supported operational HQ. In some cases, these SOCCEs may have the role of representing both the JFSOCC and the ARSOTF. The JFC or JTF identifies the requirements for a SOCCE and directs its deployment to a supporting unit. Both the potentially supported unit commander and the supporting SOF commanders must be proactive, however, in identifying such requirements. A supported conventional force commander who anticipates operations requiring synchronization or physical integration with SOF at any point during his operation should request a SOCCE as soon as the requirement is identified.
Within resource constraints, all such requests should be honored by the supporting SOF element. Similarly, SOF commanders who identify such requirements provide a SOCCE to the supported commander (conventional forces) at the earliest opportunity. Coordination for the deployment of the SOCCE to a supported unit is through the appropriate JFC.
B-2. SOF frequently operate with conventional forces. Physical contact between conventional forces and SOF is typically short term. It usually ends with a passing of responsibility, the passage of friendly lines, or the extraction of SOF. The focus, therefore, should be on synchronization (not physical integration) of conventional forces and SOF on the ground.
Synchronization involves the simultaneous or sequenced execution of separate actions in time and space to achieve a synergistic effect. Physical integration may not occur, but the synchronization of effect is necessary in all cases. The focal point for this synchronization is the SOCCE. In cases of prolonged contact, the role of the SOCCE becomes critical. Operation JUST
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CAUSE in Panama provides a historical example of prolonged SO to conventional force contact synchronized through SOCCEs.
B-3. The SOCCE is a C2 element based on an SFODB, augmented with a special communications package, equipment, and selected personnel as required by METT-TC. It may include a Ranger LNO team or representation, CA and PSYOP representation of such elements supporting SOF, special operations aviation (SOA) liaison, joint SOF liaison, or other elements as required. The SOCCE performs liaison or C2 as directed by its higher SOF HQ. The SOCCE may be an SFODB based on METT-TC. Any SFODB could be directed to conduct this mission.
B-4. The SOCCE operates in a manner similar to a TOC. It is not an operational base, nor does it deploy or recover SFODs or other SOF operational elements. It may, however, coordinate for such activity when required—for example, when an SFODA is recovered through linkup with conventional forces. The SOCCE is normally OPCON or TACON to the conventional forces at corps level. Specific command arrangements should be determined by the nature of the mission and the objectives to be accomplished. The SOCCE is not deployed below corps. If approved by the SOCCE’s higher SOF HQ, however, the SOCCE may temporarily support a division or brigade conducting independent mission-specific operations (such as in a JTF). Although, operations at division or brigade levels are normally addressed with an SFLE.
B-5. The SOCCE has OPCON of its assets. It performs all the functions of command minus support and is responsible for the planning, C2 of its personnel, augmentation, and attachments. It provides SOF C4I support to its personnel. The SOCCE advises and provides SOF SMEs to the conventional force commander and staff. It is not, however, a conventional force special staff element.
B-6. The SOCCE should arrive with a complete support package, including personnel, equipment, logistics, and communications to sustain operations for 30 days. All SOF-specific equipment, including prescribed load list (PLL), must accompany the unit.
B-7. The SOCCE may serve as a liaison between the JFSOCC and the corps commander for the entire spectrum of SO missions. The SOCCE is not responsible for the planning or execution of CA or PSYOP, except when such support is incidental to its own mission.
B-8. The SOCCE may exercise OPCON or TACON of deployed SOF operational elements from SF, Ranger, or sister Service elements, such as SEALs. These forces require augmentation from their respective HQ to be attached to the SOCCE. The SF elements could include the SFODAs, an SFODB, or even a SOT-A. If the forces controlled by the SOCCE exceed an SFODB commander’s ability to control, an FOB commander or another SF lieutenant colonel may command the SOCCE. The SOCCE is a command element and should never be subordinated to a staff element.
B-9. A SOCCE is not a JSOTF, nor is it an ARSOTF. It is not a standing C2 organization, and it will be constituted and subsequently terminated as the mission dictates, based on METT-TC.
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B-10. The composition of the SOCCE varies, depending on the JFSOCC mission, the tactical commander’s mission, the operational environment, and the nature or echelon of the supported HQ. The common considerations, regardless of the situation, are for the SOCCE commander to—
• Understand the mission and intent of the supported conventional force commander.
• Be self-contained and self-sufficient on SOF-unique assets (the SOCCE will require some support from the supported HQ—for example, rations).
• Be able to communicate.
B-11. The SOCCE has five employment options, as follows:
• SOCCE members may collocate with their conventional force counterpart. For example, the company operations warrant officer collocates with the conventional force intelligence section, and the executive officer collocates with the conventional force OPCEN.
• The SOCCE may collocate with a corps SOCOORD.
• The SOCCE may form its own OPCEN in the conventional force TOC or OPCEN. All SOCCE members perform their duties from this OPCEN.
• The SOCCE may form its own OPCEN in the conventional force OPCEN and may collocate key SOCCE personnel to the conventional force major staff sections, such as the conventional force intelligence and OPCEN.
• No single correct employment option exists. The SOCCE may select, combine, or modify the employment options, based on METT-TC.
B-12. Whichever option is used, a small SOCCE OPCEN should be established to ensure the conduct of the duties and responsibilities outlined in this appendix.
MISSION
B-13. The mission of the SOCCE is to synchronize SO, MOOTW, and conventional force operations between SOF and conventional forces as follows:
• Keep the higher SOF commander and the conventional force commander informed and integrated into each other’s operations, intelligence data, fire support coordination measures, unit locations, communications procedures, situations, status, and other activities based on the situation and METT-TC.
• Plan and coordinate linkup between SOF and the conventional forces.
• Exercise, when tasked by SOF higher HQ, OPCON and TACON of deployed SOF.
• Advise the conventional force commander and staff of the missions, capabilities, limitations, and employment of SOF (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
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• Resolve conflicts between deployed SOF and conventional forces regarding terrain, airspace management, frequency management, intelligence requirements, targeting priorities, fire support activities, and other activities based on METT-TC.
• Advise the area commander, conventional forces, and deployed SOF on—
§ Demobilization.
§ Integration.
§ Planning.
§ CA and PSYOP support.
§ Synchronization of CMO, demobilization, and MOOTW among the area commander, conventional forces, and deployed SOF.
ORGANIZATION
B-14. An SFODB forms the nucleus of the SOCCE. An SF major commands the SOCCE. Based on METT-TC, the SOCCE may be an SFODC commanded by an SF lieutenant colonel. (Refer to Figure 3-9, page 3-26, for the composition of the SFODB under TOE 31807.)
B-15. Based on METT-TC, the SOCCE may have augmentation of equipment and operational personnel (Figure B-1).
Figure B-1. SOCCE Augmentation
B-16. Any augmentation, equipment, or resources must be requested in a SOR before deployment. The SOCCE submits the SOR to its higher SF HQ for staffing and resourcing. All augmentation and equipment should be attached early and integrated into SOPs, rehearsals, and premission training.
B-17. In the event that one or more SOT-As are deployed within the SOCCE’s AOR, the SOCCE should receive a SIGINT or EW liaison team (MOS 98C) with the necessary equipment from the supporting TCAE.
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B-18. The SOCCE may dispatch liaisons to the conventional forces. The liaisons may come from the SOCCE, the SOCCE’s higher HQ, or other SOF.
The size and composition of the liaison element are dependent on METT-TC.
The SOCCE needs a minimum of 72 hours to coordinate and deploy a liaison element to the conventional forces. All requests for liaison from the conventional forces should go through the JFSOCC or JTF commander.