Template:Refimprove Template:Use dmy dates A SOT-A (Special Operations Team-Alpha) is a signals intelligence–electronic warfare (SIGINT-EW) element of the United States Army Special Forces.[1] They are low-level SIGINT collection teams that intercept and report operational and technical information derived from tactical threat communications through prescribed communications paths. The mission of a SOT-A is to conduct SIGINT/EW in support of information operations (unilaterally or in conjunction with other SOF elements) to support existing and emerging SOF missions worldwide.
SOT-A's are the direct descendants of the Army Security Agency's Special Operations Detachments (USASASODs).
Capabilities
SOT-As can detect, monitor, and exploit threat communications through communications transmission intercept and direction finding. SOT-As also can deploy with Special Forces Operational Detachments-A (SFODAs or A-teams) to provide SIGINT support for contingency, direct action, force protection, or MTT support. These functions may require SOT-As to:[1]
- Deploy with a SFODA.
- Deploy independently and then join a deployed SFODA.
- Operate independently or with other SOT-As.
- Operate and train on advanced collection equipment provided by national intelligence agencies.
Insertion/Extraction Techniques
- Patrolling
- Helicopter Touchdown,
- Helocast
- Personnel
- Small Boat
- Rappel
- Fast Rope
- Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction (SPIE)
- Parachute
- Static-Line
SOT-A team members can operate in remote and denied areas. In addition to their linguistic and SIGINT skills, SOT-As are trained in tactical and fieldcraft techniques.
SIGINT (Signals Intelligence)
- Foreign languages
- Arabic
- Russian
- Korean
- French
- Spanish
- Farsi
- Chinese
- Indonesian
- Thai
- Morse Code intercept (>20 GPM)
- Analysis and reporting
- Tagalog
Advanced training
Advanced training may include:
- Survival Evasion Resistance Escape
- Ranger School
- Mountain Survival Course/Mountain Leader Course
- Jumpmaster
- Army Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course
- Army Combat Diver Qualification Course
- Military Free-Fall Parachutist Course
Organization
Currently, there is one SOT-A section per battalion at every Special Forces Group. A SOT-A team generally consists of four members.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "FM 3-05.102 Army Special Operation Forces Intelligence" (PDF). Headquarters, Department of the Army. 31 August 2001. pp. Glossary-23. http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm3-05-102.pdf.
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