Overview

U.S. Special Operations Command has publicly acknowledged that special operations forces (SOF) require conventional force support. Review of the 2009 force design update for the Band V Special Forces Group shows that Special Forces (SF) operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the structure of the modular Brigade Combat Team influenced the development of the SF Group Support Battalion (GSB) and the SF forward support companies (FSCs). As SF's primary mission, unconventional warfare should provide a central, unique, and specific influence in both organizational designs for all units within the SFG. Three case studies analyzing historical UW operations in France and Greece are evaluated for economy, integration, and simplicity. The evaluation results in recommendations for the GSB and FSC that include limiting expansion of the GSB's common user land transportation (CULT) fleet, increased capability within the support operations (SPO) section, and the capability to coordinate for sustainment support from multiple levels of sustainment providers.