Special Operations Support Command (Airborne)
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| Special Operations Support Command (Airborne) | |
|---|---|
| Active | November 1, 1995 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Special Operations support |
| Role | SOSCOM's mission is to assure combat service support/health service support, and signal support to Army Special Operations Forces around the world. |
| Part of | United States Army Special Operations Command United States Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Bragg |
| Nickname | SOSCOM |
| Motto | Assured Support |
The Special Operations Support Command (Airborne) or SOSCOM is a new unit. Developed in response to the ever increasing responsibilities of the special operations forces across the globe, SOSCOM was deemed necessary by the Pentagon because of the increasing size of U.S. special operations forces.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The Special Operations Support Command (Airborne), activated on November 1, 1995, is the newest major subordinate unit in the United States Army Special Operations Command. Army Special Operations Forces responded to continuing force reductions with a streamlined logistics structure with existing United States Department of Defense drawdown and realignment procedures. It pooled logistical and theater Army SOSCOM assets to create a centralized, U.S.-based SOSCOM, with soldiers deployed worldwide. This centralization brought the Special Operations community within doctrinal force projection and support concepts. Its activation realigned the command and control organizational structure of the following units: 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion (Airborne), 528th Special Operations Support Battalion (Airborne), Material Management Center (Airborne) and five Special Operations Theater Support Elements (SOTSE). It also concentrates a dedicated, regionally oriented, combat and health services, communications planning, coordination and liaison base to assure support for all Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) units.
[edit] Special Operations Theater Support Elements
The SOTSE soldiers are embedded in theaters' Army staff. They plan and coordinate with theater Army, SOSCOM and ARSOF to ensure support during operations and training. As a theater Army staff member, these officers and non-commissioned officers' knowledge of theater-specific requirements and capabilities assist units in coordination with the theater.
[edit] Material Management Center
Material Management Center provides the ARSOF with centralized and integrated material management of property, equipment maintenance, logistical automation and repair parts and supplies.
[edit] 528th Special Operations Support Battalion & 112th Special Operations Signals Battalion
Specializing in advanced communications and resupply capabilities, members of the 112th SOSB (A) and the 528th SOSB (A), have the mission of supporting ARSOF. In their respective fields, signal and support soldiers provide supplies, maintenance, equipment and expertise allowing Special Operation Forces to "shoot, move and communicate" on a continuous basis. Because ARSOF often uses SOF-unique items, soldiers assigned to these units are taught to operate and maintain a vast array of specialized equipment not normally used by their conventional counterparts. To meet the needs of ARSOF, the two battalions have developed logistical and signal packages that are deployable on a moments notice. Soldiers assigned to these units are airborne qualified.

