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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsExclusive: New U.S. Commando Team Operating Near Iran
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are at a high point, as the Islamic Republic threatens to close off a vital waterway and two U.S. aircraft carrier battle groups sit in the seas off the Iranian coast. But across the Persian Gulf, the U.S. has a previously unacknowledged weapon in reserve: a new special operations team.
Danger Room has confirmed with the U.S. Special Operations Command that a new elite commando team is operating in the region. The primary, day-to-day mission of the team, known as Joint Special Operations Task Force-Gulf Cooperation Council, is to mentor military units belonging to the U.S. oil-rich Arab allies, who collectively are known as the Gulf Cooperation Council. Those Arab states consider Iran to be their primary foreign threat.
The task force provides highly trained personnel that excel in uncertain environments, Maj. Rob Bockholt, a spokesman for special-operations forces in the Mideast, tells Danger Room, and seeks to confront irregular threats. The U.S. military has not previously acknowledged the existence of the team, known as JSOTF-GCC for short.
The unit began its existence in mid-2009 around the time that the Iranian leadership rejected President Obamas offer of a new diplomatic dialogue and underwent a serious internal challenge to its legitimacy from Green Movement protesters. But whatever the task force does about Iran or might do in the future is a sensitive subject with the military.
Read more: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/01/jsotf-gcc/
MADem
(135,425 posts)Their operational theatre is right there in their name. It's not at all surprising, in any event, or even a big secret.
They were advertising for an armorer (civilian position):
https://acpol2.army.mil/fasclass/search_fs/search_fs_output.asp?fcp=zutpk3eFRtaToL2jp8hGuam0buidbYGdl6tQiGC7hLBnYH%2Bdk6s%3D
1. Serves as armorer and small arms repairer for JSOTF-GCC, Bahrain (CENTCOM) performing the full range of maintenance, repair, adjustment, overhaul and rebuild of small arms, foreign and specialized weapons, accessories and related equipment in the Task Force Gulf Cooperation Council (JSOTF-GCC) mission. Responsible for maintaining command assigned weapons and weapons of personnel deployed in support of Joint Special Operations Task Force - Gulf Cooperation Council (JSOTF-GCC). Manages the JSOTF-GCC Arms Room, ensuring safety and security of stored arms, and proper inventory accountability for personal and crew served weapons assigned to authorized individuals in support of operations.
and a logistics planner: https://acpol2.army.mil/fasclass/search_fs/search_fs_output.asp?fcp=zutpk3eFRtaToL2jp8hGuam0buidbYGdl6dXh2C7hLBnYH%2BZlqk%3D
1. Serves as a Regional Operations Logistics Planner in the JSOTF-GCC, J4 Engagements. Conducts analysis of current operations and plans and coordinates for future plans, branch and sequel plans. Coordinates planning efforts with higher, adjacent and subordinate headquarters. Presents a Daily Plans Update Brief to the J4 Logistics Director or Joint Special Operations Task Force - Gulf Cooperation Council (JSOTF-GCC) Commander to ensure planning efforts meet the Commander's intent and to receive updated planning guidance. Participates in the coordination of regional-wide plans, policies and programs necessary to supervise and manage logistics programs and activities in support of JSOTH-GCC units. Serves as Logistics Operations Plans Officer responsible for reviewing, evaluating, coordinating, monitoring and providing interface with DA, Army Materiel Command, other MACOMs and staff counterparts in the review and development of logistics concepts, annexes and plans. Responsible for top-level logistics planning continuity in the development of long range plans, contingency plans and OPLANS. (40%)
Gotta count those beans and bullets...! Don't know if they have any open positions at this late stage, but they weren't quiet about putting these job descriptions out.
newfie11
(8,159 posts)America the war monger.
greytdemocrat
(3,299 posts)I'm not buying it.