US Special Operations Forces as a Tool for the “Sixth Generation War”
Forces of special operations of the United States of America are considered by the American government as one of the most effective tools for strengthening their military and political influence in the third world countries.
These are the formations of the air, naval and land forces created to accomplish certain tasks in order to achieve political, military, economic goals in territories captured by other states or in zones that are of great interest to the States. The peculiarity of these formations is that they are in full combat readiness not only in the conditions of warfare, but also in peacetime. More often, the actions of special operations forces are illegal in nature and are directly under the control of the highest military leadership. Until the end of the 70 of the last century, the main task of these units was to maintain regimes acceptable to the Americans and to eliminate those political forces and governments that impede the embodiment of American regional interests. Later, in connection with the buildup of military presence, the main task of the MTR was the fight against terrorism. Also, the list of tasks of special units includes participation in the fight against the international drug business and other types of crimes.
The government and the military of America have identified a number of basic and additional tasks.
The government regards special operations forces as a very effective tool for anti-terrorist operations. They are in a certain way organized, trained and equipped in order to identify, prevent, deter, localize and eliminate all possible threats of terrorists. The fight against terrorism is carried out in two versions - a set of measures aimed at reducing vulnerability from possible threats and anti-terrorist operations aimed at the destruction of terrorists and their activities.
The MTR is also entrusted with a mission to combat the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons to protect the interests of America and its citizens.
MTR formations may also be involved in the conduct of special intelligence in various countries of the world to collect and process intelligence information of strategic or operational importance.
Units can conduct short-term actions to capture, incapacitate or destroy facilities in order to maintain regular military forces in the process of fulfilling their strategic objectives.
They can conduct raids, ambush, storm objects, lay mines, deliver air strikes, designate targets for the use of precision weapons, and support regular operations.
A very common task for the SSO is the conduct of "unconventional war" in the territories of the enemy. Its essence lies in the fact that the units, relying on the local population loyal to the Americans, organize the insurgent movement on enemy territory, providing it with the necessary armament, equipment, conducting training and support.
Recently, another type of task performed by special operations forces has appeared - these are information operations. Its essence lies in achieving superiority through the dissemination of information, the impact on the consciousness and information systems of the enemy.
Very close to this task is the execution of psychological operations, the essence of which is reduced to the distribution of specially selected information in order to influence people’s consciousness, their emotional state and, thus, their behavior.
These units also conduct operations related to civil administration in zones of military conflicts. They provide for the establishment of a temporary administration to address the problems of the population, as well as their protection and reduction of military influence during operations.
In addition, the SSO have a large number of additional tasks. This includes participation in coalition cooperation, rescue and search operations, the provision of humanitarian assistance.
Most clearly demonstrates the basic principles of the activities of the units of their operations in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan.
After the notorious 11 of September 2001, when around 5 killed thousands of people in New York, the US military was tasked with destroying the international terrorist Islamic organization Al Qaeda, as well as overthrowing the Afghan regime, which supported. To this end, the Americans, together with other coalition states, have launched an antiterrorist military operation on the territory of Afghanistan, known as "Enduring Freedom."
The operation involved a high level of information support. A stake was also made on conducting psychological special operations against the militants. The PSO group includes around 1200 specialists who are responsible for providing information to the entire American army.
In order to carry out Operation Enduring Freedom in the territory of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, a regional battalion of psychological operations was sent, reinforced by a group of tactical PSOs, as well as specialists from logistics and staff planning.
The EU-1 ZOE aircraft, which are equipped with the Commando Solo broadcasting system, also operated from Pakistan air bases, were also deployed to Uzbekistan. In addition, units of the communications command with civilian administrations of the ground forces reserve were also involved. The management was carried out by a specially created group at the Ministry of Defense, which included representatives of the State Department, the CIA, some media and USIA.
According to Americans, psychological operations are considered to be one of the most effective factors in the course of hostilities, which can reduce the level of casualties among the military and civilians, as well as help in the performance of military tasks.
According to the Doctrine of the United Psychological Operations, the main objectives of the Enduring Freedom are to discredit the Al-Qaida leadership and the Taliban, demoralize and stop the resistance of the Al Qaeda militias, explain the causes of the emergence of American troops in Afghan territory, use of ethnic and religious contradictions interests of the people of Afghanistan, winning the sympathy of the local population and inclination to cooperate. It was also intended over time to incline the local political elite to their side in order to establish the long-term influence of the States in the region.
The whole operation was divided into three main stages. At the first stage, the most active groups were PsO Air Forces of America and Ground Forces, which operated from the territories neighboring Afghanistan. The second stage, after the Taliban retreat from the major cities, focused on the southern and western regions of the state. During this period, PSO groups were deployed in the liberated territories. At the third stage, the focus shifted to the organization of interaction with the local population, the restoration of local authorities, participation in humanitarian organizations.
With the start of surgery using aviation the US military destroyed the broadcasting centers and secured a monopoly on local radio. But since no visible success was observed, the whole operation was called into question. In addition, dissatisfaction of the world community around the American bombing was growing in the world, which resulted in riots from the eastern states. In addition, some European countries also condemned the Americans. The Taliban began to admit Western journalists to their territories, which only worsened the situation of the American military. Children and refugees killed by mistake fell into the frame. Even President George W. Bush then sharply criticized information structures for inefficiency. Then, Official Washington urged journalists not to succumb to Taliban provocations, and in addition, pressure measures were taken in order to completely isolate the Taliban in the information plan. There have been cases and pressures on independent media. Al Jazeera was forced to sign an agreement with CNN for the so-called exchange of information. In addition, the Voice of America and Radio Liberty broadcasts were expanded and $ 20 million was allocated to resume broadcasting on Free Afghanistan radio. An advertising specialist, S. Beers, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of State for Information Policy. An amount of $ 400 million was allocated to carry out propaganda in 78 countries, primarily eastern ones. And in Islamabad, an information press center was created, which enabled the Western media to work ahead of the curve by seizing the initiative in covering events.
The second stage was marked by the decision of the Taliban to proceed to the guerrilla war. It only untied the hands of the Americans. They stepped up propaganda, calling for a side with the coalition and surrender for security reasons. In a short time, such proposals began to attract an increasing number of ordinary militants and field commanders of Al-Qaida. In addition to the defeat of the remnants of the Taliban and al-Qaida, the US military forces were to provide information support for the entry of the peacekeeping international contingent and the political reorganization of Afghanistan under the leadership of the States. The primary task at this stage was the agitation of the local population with calls to support the interim government and the peacekeeping contingent of the United States and Britain.
At the third stage, in the course of establishing contacts with the local administration, the issues of restoring infrastructure — hospitals, schools, television and radio networks, and the provision of humanitarian assistance came to the fore. In addition, the United States wanted to ensure pro-American coverage of Afghan events in the Western media. To this end, a press center was created for Western media outlets that provided information support to journalists, provided communication tools and access to gather information about the course of the operation, selected arrested Taliban leaders, and assisted in conducting propaganda among the local population.
Experts recognized that in the conditions of Afghanistan the most effective method of propaganda. Broadcasting lasted up to 10 hours per day. And since there were not enough radio receivers in the country, 100 thousands of devices with a fixed frequency were dropped. The transmitted information was intended to discredit the militant leaders. To do this, American experts selected texts from the Koran, with which they refuted the theses of the Taliban propaganda. At the beginning and at the end of the broadcast folk Afghan music sounded.
Printed products were no less effective means of propaganda. During the operation, about 18 million copies were distributed. And since a large population was not highly educated, the emphasis was placed on the pictorial effect of agitation. The texts were very simple. In them, the Americans explained their goals and in every way showed benevolence towards the local population and tried to discredit the Taliban regime.
Humanitarian aid was also used with American symbols and propaganda drawings. All in all, about 1 million sub-packs were dropped. But this kind of propaganda was ineffective, since most of it was dumped either over the deserts or over parts of the Taliban. And only when the food began to be delivered by road, the attitude changed a little.
Were used and non-standard methods of propaganda. So, for example, a meeting was held in Kabul for the relatives of those killed in New York, and the relatives of those Afghans who died during the American bombardments. The purpose of this meeting was to demonstrate that terrorism, in particular, al-Qaida, was to blame.
At the moment, the psychological operations of the American armed forces in Afghanistan are continuing, and it is too early to talk about their results. But anyway, the US government is unlikely to achieve complete success, since the social institutions of Afghanistan are extremely conservative and inaccessible for external influence.
Operations were carried out in Iraq.
Thus, in the spring of 2004, a unit of marines was sent from America to Iraq, whose task was to fight against the strengthening of the insurgency, in particular, to search for and destroy the main links in the structure of the rebel movement.
One of the operations was carried out in May of that year. Then the group "Raider" has developed an operation to identify one of the intermediaries of the rebels, who was given the code name "X", which attracted attention after his accomplice was captured. It was found that this man plays an important role in organizing the rebel struggle against coalition forces. "X" together with the organization created by it had been in operational development for a long time, but it was so cunning that it avoided arrests and surveillance for a considerable period of time, which made it possible to assume his involvement in intelligence services. As it turned out later, it was true.
"Raider" conducted several operations, but they did not bring any results. Constant persecution forced the "X" to lie on the bottom, but in this position he did not stop the rebel struggle. In addition, the difficulty lay in the fact that no one could identify him. Finally, it was decided to conduct a series of raids against the “X” and its closest associates, in order to make them make mistakes. In addition, it was planned to establish closer contacts with local authorities for more information. As a result, in the field of view of several groups hit the van, which was installed surveillance. As a result, the MTRs were able to locate one of the closest comrades of "X", which subsequently allowed to neutralize the object.
It should be noted that until the American government started the war in Iraq, the SSO did not take part in such lengthy operations. In Somalia and Bosnia, the actions of the formations were aimed mainly at correcting artillery or aviation fire or gathering intelligence information. A serious test awaited the military in Afghanistan, but there their actions had almost the same character. And only in Iraq has the situation changed.
After the regular Iraqi troops were defeated, and most of its territory was in the hands of the coalition, mass partisan movements began in the country. The most effective weapons against them were the special operations forces of America. But, despite the predictions, military actions were conducted not in the desert, but on the streets of the city.
The outcome of such a confrontation was difficult to predict, because if the American Delta or SAS had experience in conducting operations in confined spaces, the Green Berets were specially prepared for special operations in the mountains and the desert. Accordingly, the losses were very significant. The US military on the move had to study the features of the introduction of combat in the conditions of the city. There were problems with weapons. As it turned out, the M16 rifle, familiar to the American commando, is not very effective when conducting combat at close range in conditions of constant dust. Therefore, it was often necessary to exchange them for Kalashnikovs or machine guns.
Another operation carried out by the SSO forces was called Marlboro. Its essence was to track and eliminate suicide bombers in Iraq. Of course, this operation, as well as all the others, was classified, so it is not possible to find out the details of its implementation. However, it is possible to draw certain conclusions from the information available to the public. The operation was characterized by good organization and interaction of all participants and groups, accuracy of information, as well as compliance with measures to conceal it. Despite the lack of time for good training, the fighters worked very effectively. The only drawback of the operation is the fact that there was only one sniper on the safety net, and the other three acted alone.
After the end of hostilities in Iraq, when the main part of the national army was defeated, the coalition countries created the so-called “Black Group”, which also included US special operations forces. The main task of the detachment was to capture and liquidate the surviving terrorist leaders, and the fight against suicide bombers. By the way, it was this group that conducted the search and liquidation operation for the sons of Hussein.
For a long time, the American and British governments, with the help of their special services, were preparing the "democratic revolution" in Libya, although the entire civilized world prefers a different name - the coup. But since the voluntary transfer of power was out of the question, the special services launched an active campaign to form Gaddafi’s opposition both in Libyan territory and abroad. Similar work was carried out in other Middle Eastern and North African states. It is clear that this activity was not advertised by the authorities.
In 2008, the MTR command began to create a special "African Command", which was called "SOCAFRICA" and was completed in 2009. The main tasks of the command involved a prompt response in the event of a crisis, special operations, interaction in the civil administration, and psychological operations. Almost from the first days of formation, the task was entrusted to the command of holding 40 events in African States 13. Moreover, the unit began to implement the program of free courses and seminars for the military of some African countries. At the same time, there were also measures aimed at establishing relations with the local administration and undermining public support for terrorist groups. Some work was done to discredit American regimes that were undesirable. The main activity of the formation was deployed in the north and in the center of Africa.
The first results of his activities were manifested in Tunisia and Egypt, where he managed to shift the ruling regimes without bloodshed. However, such a scenario did not pass in Libya, as evidenced by the active seven-month standoff of the PNS army and troops supporting Gaddafi. Failure is primarily associated with a higher standard of living for Libyans compared to neighboring states. The social policy pursued by the Gaddafi regime gave the indigenous population many benefits, including the possibility of free housing and government subsidies. In addition, the indigenous Libyan population - the Bedouins - have long been recognized as the best warriors. But the basis of the regular Libyan troops is not at all composed of them, but by foreign workers who came to Libya to work, as well as the urban population, who have long lost all their fighting skills. On the military training of such an army can not speak. However, after a few months, it was in their hands that the reins of the state appeared, and the rebels themselves turned into a powerful military formation. It is clear that without the help of foreign countries there has not been done.
An important role in this reincarnation was played by the British Mi-6 and SAS units. It is no longer a secret that the third battalion of British royal troops, having experience of the war in Afghanistan, was in a state of full combat readiness for the transfer to Libyan territory. In early May, a British ship with special forces arrived in Libya, where by that time the SAS warriors were already there, and the weapons were stored in the British consulate. But it was in Benghaz, the landing site of the British, that the revolution began ... But the British military were not at all alone, although the Western governments in every way disowned the military presence in Libya. And this is despite the fact that already from the first days of the coup, the Libyan rebels were forced to enter the SS military clashes by unknown military units. All doubts were finally dispelled in 2011, when a representative of one of their human rights organizations, Peter Bookert, said that the PNS sappers managed to demine the passage near Ajdabiya, and the 50 of the mines were foreign-made. Of course, you can believe that a person can be taught to shoot for several months, but it is impossible to prepare professional sappers.
And after the UN resolution, its need to take all possible measures almost completely untied the hands of the Americans for the application of targeted air strikes at government targets. The main targets of the strikes were the destruction of air defense weapons, military bases, as well as armored vehicles. Already at the initial stage of the operation, the coalition forces were able to achieve almost all the assigned combat missions. According to the American command, the Libyan air force has practically ceased to exist, and the air defense system has weakened so much that American aircraft feel completely safe. The only plane that was lost by the coalition forces crashed as a result of a technical malfunction.
As a result of the destruction of the technique of government troops, they lost their superiority, which almost equalized the chances between opponents. And the armed conflict itself was transformed into local battles in certain localities.
British special forces are actively helping insurgents in organizing and conducting operations, and a certain number of special forces from some Western states accompany the rebels around Libyan territory. One of the main tasks of the special forces was to provide communication during the assault on Tripoli. This is concrete evidence of the conduct of the ground special operation, from which the NATO leadership was thus disowned. Despite the fact that the Americans refuse to participate in the current situation on the territory of Libya, the White House has repeatedly expressed assumptions about the use of American special operations forces to help the Libyan rebels. It was assumed that they will adjust the air strikes.
The CIA leadership sent several groups into the Libyan state to support the rebels in their ground operations only in February, although there is evidence that these groups were present there much earlier.
In order to better understand the role of the United States in the Libyan events, it is necessary to recall the actions of the Americans in Afghanistan. Then a new tactic of combat operations was worked out, when massive air strikes were combined with the actions of the troops of special operations forces on land. The main task of these units was to direct air strikes and to provide maximum assistance to anti-Taliban units. The Americans were pursuing a very simple goal - forcing the Afghans to fight against each other, they thereby reduced their own losses. Then this tactic brought a good result. Now they wanted to apply it on the territory of Libya. From the very beginning, American troops and alliance forces publicly refused to force a regime change, although it was clear to everyone that there was no other way. The situation changed when the governments of France, Great Britain and Italy sent their special advisers to Libya and began supplying weapons, as well as creating effective communication systems. Then they began to supply the rebels with intelligence information, and coordinated the attacks of NATO troops on the locations of government troops. Such half-heartedness is due to the fact that not all countries of the alliance supported the land operation in Libya. However, the victory of the forces of the alliance by the Libyan state made it possible for its participants to once again believe in their own forces, which were significantly undermined after the failures in Afghanistan. However, on the other hand, such a policy leads to an aggravation of anti-American and anti-NATO sentiments in the world community. And the leaders of some states are seriously considering to have weapons of mass destruction in service.
After the war in Libya, some experts view Syria and Iran as the next victims of the United States and NATO, which have developed and are actively implementing the principles of "unconventional war". A very large number of military-political tasks designed for a long period of time are embedded in this concept. Such a war is very convenient for countries such as America, because it makes it possible not to advertise its presence in the territory of the enemy, as well as in those areas that are of the greatest economic or political interest. Military operations are conducted with the help of the local population, forming partisan detachments, on the basis of which the SSO and create a coup.
In the same way as in Afghanistan, radio broadcasts were used to carry out propaganda activities and leaflets were distributed in which they spoke about the crimes of Gaddafi and his associates against the Libyan population. In addition, there were demands for the immediate surrender of weapons and the cessation of hostilities.
In addition, as part of the special operations forces of America, special forces of the Navy can be distinguished, which is called "seals" or "seals". This squad was formed in 1962 year and took an active part in the conduct of hostilities not only in Vietnam, but also in Afghanistan and Iraq. Seals are rightfully considered one of the most powerful US special forces. Moreover, it is to them that some military experts attribute the operation in Angola, in the port of Namib, the sinking of the Cuban dry-cargo ship “Havana” and the damage of the Soviet transport vessels “Captain Chirkov” and “Captain Vislobokov”.
Thus, studying the tactics of warfare by the Americans, it can be concluded that the United States of America has increasingly begun to use the tactics of “war of the sixth generation” when there are no definite boundaries of the front, and the army performs only a guard function. At the same time, the main military actions in enemy territory are carried out by special forces.
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