Role of Special Forces Liaison Elements in Future Multinational Operations

This thesis examines how might Special Forces liaison elements (SFLEs) improve interoperability between US forces, allies, and coalition partners from now until 2020. Given the history and current nature of US national security interests and defense strategy, it appears that the military will continue to conduct future operations within a multinational framework. It is also likely that in future operations, US commanders will continue to share the responsibility of leading such diverse organizations and face situations involving an equal or greater number of variables than those experienced during the Gulf War and subsequent combined operations. Thus, US commanders will require a conduit, such as SFLEs, also referred to as coalition support teams (CSTs) or liaison coordination elements (LCEs), to achieve the full synergistic effects of unified combat power. The study concludes that to ensure SFLEs remain capable and flexible to the emerging needs of US forces as well as multinational partners, SFLEs must as a minimum have compatible communication systems with US forces, enhanced regional expertise that includes vast knowledge of traditional as well as arcane languages and cultures, and an improved understanding of Joint and Army procedures and equipment at the operational levels.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.