Pilot Team Operations

Question 1

Pilot Team

Answer 1

A DELIBERATELY STRUCTURED organization comprised of Special Forces Operational Detachment members (likely augmented by interagency & other skilled personnel) designed to infiltrate a designated area to CONDUCT PREPARATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT (PE) ACTIVITIES AND ASSESS THE POTENTIAL TO CONDUCT UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE (UW) in support of USG objectives.

Pilot Team as a
Vanguard Element

Pilot Team as a
Feasibility Assessment Team

Question 2

Irregular Warfare

Answer 2

(struggle among…state and non-state actors.. for legitimacy and influence over relevant populations… weaker party seeks to disrupt or negate the military capabilities and advantages of a more powerful military force… usually serving as established regime.

Question 3

Policy Interest Flow

Answer 3

Political Feasibility Assessment (Political-driven calculus)

Operational Feasibility Assessment (Intelligence-driven calculus)
If a Policy decision is made to Support Resistance: Military may have a supporting role (which determines the mix of traditional or irregular warfare efforts and/or mix of CF and SOF efforts)

Unconventional Warfare (USG STR) Area Studies of denied environment and Resistance(s) capabilities. (Based on Theater Intelligence and Mission Letters)

Resistance Capability Assessment(s) of Capabilities and Potential (Political)
UW Feasibility Assessment of USG and/or Allies, Partners and Surrogates’ Potential to Enable Resistance (Operational)

Question 4

When does PTO take place

Answer 4

Phase 1: preparation

Phase 2: Initial Contact

Phase 3: Infiltration

Question 5

Phase 1 PTO

Answer 5

Authorities and Permissions
-Title 50 vs Title 10
Building the team
Deploy into theater 
Initial planning

Question 6

Phase 2 PTO

Answer 6

USG establishes contact with representatives of a resistance organization to assess the compatibility of U.S. and resistance interests and objectives

Largely a political negotiation

Detailed area assessment ISO expanding understanding of the OE

Focus on human terrain analysis both within and out of the resistance

Question 7

Phase 3 PTO

Answer 7

PT clandestinely infiltrates the operational area IOT link up with resistance force and conduct or confirm a feasibility assessment

If the operational assessment is favorable, the PT coordinates for infiltration and reception of follow-on SF teams and supplies

Time constrained assessment – Prioritize what questions you need to answer, and get as much done as time allows

As follow-on SF teams LU with the resistance force, they begin their own operational assessment to confirm or deny the assumptions of the UW campaign plan

Circumstances MAY DICTATE THE INFILTRATION OF SF TEAMS WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A PRIOR PT EFFORT, trusted asset, or a completed feasibility assessment

Question 8

Feasibility Considerations

Answer 8

Feasible based on physical and human infrastructure

Appropriate based on the characteristics of the resistance

Question 9

Feasibility Assessment

Answer 9

Planning remains limited until leadership validates certain assumptions. This is a time when “ground truth” is valued by decision makers.

The assessment analyzes the feasibility, acceptability, and adequacy of a mission (METT-TC)

It also addresses whether the potential gain or desired effect outweighs or otherwise justifies the potential losses or cost.

Question 10

Area Assessment

Answer 10

Immediate - Initial Assessment: Items essential to the operational detachment immediately following infiltration. Detachments must satisfy these requirements as soon as possible after arriving in the JSOA.

1) Location and orientation
2) Physical conditions for the detachment

3) Overall security, to include the-
- Immediate area
- Attitude of the local populace
- Local enemy situation
- Status of the local resistance element

ENEMY
SECURITY AND POLICE UNITS
CIVILIAN POPULACE
WEATHER / TERRAIN
GUERILLAS
AUXILIARIES AND UNDERGROUND
LOGISTICS
MED
ATTITUDES
HOUSING / FOOD / WATER