Special operations forces eye terrorists (Rumsfeld)

WashTimes ^ | 8/12/2005 | Rowan Scarborough

[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.

[SevenMinusOne]

Giving SOCOM more and more flexibility is exactly the right direction (SecDef Rumsfled has done more than any other SecDef in history at understanding this) -

We can already see that some in the Big Green are having their feathers ruffled...and are more concerned about "hold their power" than being as effective as possible at killing these SOB terrorists!

Let's continue to hope Rumsfeld pushes this through -

You can read the rest at the link -

[ncountylee]

Need a new Phoenix shooter program with out borders.

[DogBarkTree]

Good hunting and G*d speed to them.

[EagleUSA]

Yes, we need to re-instate the taking out of senior bad-boys at the top levels in terrorist-supporting countries --
"Read my lips..no more shooting of top people in bad countries..." (has to be put in the trashcan where it belongs)

[GarySpFc]

This is a step in the right direction. If never fails that regional commands want to micro-manage special ops operations.

[livius]

Bureaucrats are always into "holding their power" and many bad things have happened as a result. I hope Rummy gets this through.

[dila813]

Rummi is only trying to make other units more flexible. Units have complained that SOCOM has at times got in the way of the mission.

[shield]

bttt

[SFC Chromey]

Kid of like 'Doctors without Borders' only different :)

[SFC Chromey]

kid = kind

[SevenMinusOne]

This is a step in the right direction. If never fails that regional commands want to micro-manage special ops operations.

Exactly right -

[ncountylee]

Kid of like 'Doctors without Borders' only different :)

No, the same but different score card.

[dljordan]

"Need a new Phoenix shooter program with out borders."

You don't think we have one?

[Joe 6-pack]

"...the same but different score card."

And with .50 cal scalpels...

[Parley Baer]

If the dimocRATS get back in power they will draft and executive order to prevent this kind of thing and build a fire wall to prevent information sharing.

[ncountylee]

And with .50 cal scalpels...

LOL - Love the mental picture. Plastic surgeons use before/after photos and the shooters could do the same.

Rag head before - after no head or rag.

[Cobra64]

Rag head before...

Correction.

"Sheet-head" after.

[standing united]

Sounds to me that another liberal has leaked another military plan to the media.

Why don't the MSM investigate who it is leaking these plans to everyone before they are even excuted?

Biased? Of course they are not. Bwaaa ha ha ha!

[Dick Vomer]

Kind of like 'Doctors without Borders' only different :)

I think it's excactly like "Doctors without Borders".... goes anywhere and kills disease and helps people around the globe.... where do I sign up?

[Americanexpat]

I remember hearing about the Phoenix Program from Nam. We had guys reportedly tracking down the VC infrastructure and taking them out with "extreme prejudice". Fell apart after the Spec Ops offed a double agent. A lot of people in and out of the government don't have the guts to fight a war the way this one needs to be fought.