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Special Operations
Military Should Consider ‘Interagency A-Teams,’ Says Analyst
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By Grace V. Jean
In response to greater demands for interagency cooperation in military operations, analysts are batting about proposals to bolster Army Special Forces A-Teams with members from other government agencies.
“Why can’t we take that 12-man A-team, make it a 9-man A-team, and throw one CIA guy in there, one State Department person and maybe one from another agency?” said Roger Carstens, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. “That way, when it comes time to do a mission, you already have Title 10, Title 50, Title 22 on an interagency A-team.”
The military has encountered problems during reconstruction and rebuilding operations in Iraq and Afghanistan because it lacks certain legal authorities. Other agencies, such as the CIA, which falls under Title 50, and the State Department, which falls under Title 22, can provide those authorities. But collaboration has not been easy.
Unless these turf tussles get resolved, military troops, and particularly special operations forces, will have difficulties conducting their missions, he said. “You don’t want to show up in Africa and not be able to buy a well or pay for fresh water because that’s not a Title 10 financed capability.”
Congress will have to intervene to give the respective agencies the authorities they will need to operate in this new environment.
“I think everyone just needs to sit down at the table,” said Carstens.
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