Development of a Rapidly Deployable Special Operations Component Command (SOCC) Core Concept for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ)

Abstract

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) is the primary point of development, direction, and coordination for all NATO Special Operations-related activities. NSHQ could enhance the effectiveness of NATO Special Operations Forces (SOF) and increase the probability of mission accomplishment when NATO SOF assets are collectively employed in a combined manner by adding an operational command and control capability. This would be in the form of a Special Operations Component Command (SOCC) Core. The SOCC Core is an advanced party of 70-150 personnel who provide an organic, rapidly deployable headquarters (HQ) capability for NSHQ. NSHQ does not currently have the ability to provide NATO with a rapidly deployable asset package, which would include a full suite of operational command, control, communication, computers, and intelligence (C4I) capabilities equipped with organic SOF and their enablers. The purpose of this thesis is to examine equipment and deployment configurations that will fulfill the mission requirements of the SOCC Core. An analysis of alternatives is conducted to determine which equipment types and configurations achieved the desired robust mission capability at the lowest possible cost. The focus is on the make-up of the four sub-components of the SOCC Core. These sub-components are the Operations Center (OPCEN), All-Source Center (ASC), Support Center (SUPCEN), and the Signals Center (SIGCEN). Possessing a rapidly deployable SOCC Core would be a sound step toward establishing and ensuring interoperability among allied SOF units and commands and would enhance the employment of NATO SOFs.