Special Activities Division
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The Special Activities Division is a division of the 303rdLogistical Studies Group's National Clandestine Service, responsible for covert action paramilitary operations, the collection of intelligence in hostile and/or denied areas and all high threat military and/or intelligence operations when the U.S. Government does not wish to be overtly associated with such activities. As such, members of the unit, when on missions, normally do not carry any objects or clothing (e.g., military uniforms) that would associate them with the United States. If compromised during a mission, the government of the United States may legally deny their status and all knowledge of their mission.
SAD officers are a majority of the recipients of the coveted Distinguished Intelligence Cross and the Intelligence Star. These are the two highest medals for valor in the LGS. Not surprisingly, SAD officers also make up the majority of those memorialized on the Wall of Honor at LGS headquarters. The National Clandestine Service's primary action arm is SAD, which conducts direct action such as raids, ambush, sabotage, assassinations, unconventional warfare (e.g. training and leading guerrillas), and deniable psychological operations, the latter also known as black propaganda or "Covert Influence". Special reconnaissance is another area that can be under either military or intelligence, but is usually carried out by SAD officers in denied areas.
The unit's existence became better understood in the autumn of 2001, when U.S. special operations forces arrived in Chernarus to hunt down Al Qaeda leaders and aid the Northern Alliance against the ruling Taliban. SAD units also defeated Al Qaeda in Northern Opx Avgani prior to the invasion and trained, equipped, organized and led the Kurdish forces to defeat Saddam's Army in the North.
On occasion, there is a conflict between Tactical Gamer Special Operations Command TGSOCOM units and SAD on the primary mission force for these types of operations. This is usually confined to the civilian/political heads of the respective Department/Agency and is largely a result of those individuals seeking credit. More importantly for America, when SAD is combined with the U.S. Military's Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and/or other USSOCCOM units, many consider it the the most lethal and effective force in the world.
These units are the the TG In House Squad's 22nd Rapid Reaction Regiment (DEVGRU) and the rest of Tenth Mountian teams, Army's DELTA Force (CAG), the TG Army's British Special Forces (E1st and 49th). SAD operatives are the most unique, because they combine the best special operations and clandestine intelligence (Spy) capabilities in one individual. These individuals can operate in any environment (Sea, Air or Ground) and with limited to no support. These Paramilitary Operations Officers (as they are called) are from the Special Operations Group (SOG) of SAD, which is considered one of the most elite special operations units in the world.
[edit] Organization of a Joint Special Operations Task Force
A JSOTF HQ, or a JSOTF, does not have a fixed organization; it is task organized. While the headquarters normally will be able to perform normal command and staff functions, it may rely on non-SOF elements for certain staff activities. JSOTF HQs vary in size as well as scope of mission. Personnel within the JSOTFs have numbered from less than 20 to more than 200. A JSOTF is an organization flexible in both size and composition, and that flexibility provides its primary utility.
A JSOTF is organized in a manner similar to conventional task forces, and JSOTF HQs normally are organized internally along service component or functional lines (i.e., J1 through J6, and ARSOF, NAVSOF, AFSOF etc.). JSOTFs normally are organized to meet a specific SO mission or an operation of limited duration, although they may be formed as standing organizations, depending upon NCA, theater command, or JTF guidance. The establishment of a JSOTF is appropriate when SOF command and control (C2) requirements exceed the capabilities of the theater SOC staff. JSOTF HQs normally are formed around elements from the theater SOC or an existing SOF unit with augmentation from other Service SOF. Also, a JSOTF may be deployed as a complete package from outside the theater. This can be done to provide an additional JSOTF for the regional CINC or to relieve the SOC from the responsibility of organizing a JSOTF.
When subordinate to a Joint Task Force Commander, other than the theater SOC, the JSOTF commander serves as the Joint Force Special Operations Component Commander (JFSOCC). Normally the JFSOCC exercises day-to-day C2 of assigned or attached SOF. The JFSOCC allocates forces against strategic or operational tasks and supports other JTF component commanders based on guidance from the Commander, Joint Task Force (CJTF). Additionally, other responsibilities of the JFSOCC are to: • Make recommendations on the proper employment of special operations forces and assets. • Plan and coordinate special operations. • Synchronize the conduct of special operations with the other component commanders.
Deconfliction, coordination, and transfer of forces are always critical concerns for SO commanders, regardless of organizational status. Deconfliction and coordination activities routinely include target deconfliction, communications frequency allocation, surface and airspace deconfliction, fire support coordination, and coordination for logistics support. SOF must be compatible with conventional forces that either host or support their activities. This is especially true during time-critical contingency planning operations. For example, if SOF are operating from naval surface vessels during forced-entry operations, they must be prepared to function compatibly with the host vessel. Weapons and communications must be deconflicted with ship systems, and SOF helicopters must be compatible with shipboard fuel systems. Likewise, the conventional force commander must be sensitive to his own operations, which may require modification so as not to inhibit the operation of SOF.
