HQ$History - United States Special Operations Command

forming its acquisition functions and
operated within the Resources
Directorate (J-8). In 1992, General
Stiner consolidated the command’s
acquisition and contracting management
functions in a new directorate under a
Deputy for Acquisition, who was named
the command’s Acquisition Executive
and Senior Procurement Executive. To
discharge its acquisition responsibilities,
the command fielded systems meeting
component requirements. Emphasizing
a streamlined acquisition process, the
command’s procurement strategy was to
modify existing weapons or buy “nondevelopmental”
(off-the-shelf technology) systems—an
approach that permitted quick, economical
improvements to operational capabilities.
Since 1987, USSOCOM has fielded a number
of modified or new systems effecting nearly
every aspect of special operations. Some of the
more notable were the MC-130H Combat Talon
II long-range insertion aircraft and the
SOCRATES automated intelligence handling
system, both used in Operation DESERT
STORM, and the Cyclone-class patrol coastal
ships, used in Operations SUPPORT DEMOC-
RACY and UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. Other significant
acquisitions included the MH-47E
Chinook, a medium-range helicopter designed to
conduct insertion operations under all weather
conditions; the AC-130U Spectre gunship, used
for close air support and reconnaissance; and the
Mark V Special Operations Craft, a high performance
combatant boat capable of being transported
aboard C-5 aircraft. In 1997, the
Acquisition Center’s Naval Special Warfare
Rigid Inflatable Boat (NSW-RIB) Program provided
a long-sought capability for a high speed
SEAL insertion and extraction craft. The program,
which was completed under cost and
months ahead of schedule while exceeding every
performance objective, won the 1998 Defense
Department’s David Packard Award for excellence
in acquisition.
SOAL set the benchmark for acquisition
reform by developing and fielding new systems
faster than the norm. In 1998, the headquarters
implemented SOALIS, the primary tool for providing
information on all USSOCOM programs
and a paperless system that saved money for
26
Rigid inflatable boats
future investments. In 1999, SOAL developed
the Joint Special Operations Mission Planner
that provided the Theater Special Operations
Commands with a planning and command and
control tool. SOCCENT used this planner during
two operations. The SOF Intelligence
Vehicle, which provided tactical intelligence processing
and analysis to deployed units, won the
David Packard Award in 1997. In 2000, SOAL
was awarded the Defense Acquisition Executive
Award for the advanced ground mobility system
and for the multi-band intra-team radio.
Another notable achievement was SOAL receiving
the 2003 Packard Award for excellence in
logistics for the Special Operations Craft
Riverine program. This craft provides SOF
forces with a C-130 air transportable insertion
and extraction capability in a riverine environment.
Moreover, USSOCOM’s acquisition capability
was used a number of times during contingencies
to provide SOF with the latest technology or
to accelerate modifications. During DESERT
STORM, for example, the command modified
Chinooks with aircraft survivability equipment
before they deployed to the area of operations.
USSOCOM procured specialized cold weather
gear for SOF deploying to Bosnia during JOINT
ENDEAVOR. SOAL rapidly resourced statements
of requirements for SOF going into
Kosovo.
In 1998, General Schoomaker designated a
few key acquisition programs as “flagship systems,”
so called because they were deemed
essential to the future of SOF. In an era of tightly
constrained budgets, funding for these strategic
programs would be preserved, even at the