Synchronizing Effects: The Role of SOF in LSCO Targeting Pt 1 (Ep. 37)

This is part 1 of a 2-part interview focused on the Targeting Process and Joint Fires. Targeting is not only a means for putting indirect fire or air support onto a specific target at a specific time. Targeting is a holistic approach to bring effects at the right time and place to achieve a desired outcome. This includes lethal and non-lethal as well as kinetic and non-kinetic means to effect the enemy or the civil component. The outcome of the targeting process is used to drive operations and move personnel, equipment, and or capabilities to the right location at the right time to achieve the desired endstate. The Targeting Process and integration of Joint Fires is trained in a Multi-Domain Large Scale Combat scenario at the Combat Training Centers to prepare Special Operations and the Army for the first battle of the next war. About the Guest:

SFC Dillion Luedtke: Dillion grow up watching his father, an Airborne Artilleryman, deploying multiple times, ultimately leading Dillion to seek out a life of service as well with a passion for the Airborne and fires community leading him to Special Forces. Dillion is an 18C Engineer SGT with training in Joint Firepower Course and Joint Fires and Effects Course. Dillion has operational experience in CENTCOM and AFRICOM with 3rd SFG (A). About the Host:

CPT Weston Rich is a member of SOF Plans at the NTC and former member of Burro Team, the Special Operations Training Detachment OC/T Team at NTC. Prior to his time at NTC, Weston served as a Detachment Commander with 1st SFG (A) and as an Infantry Officer with 3-509th IN (ABN)/4/25 ID (now part of 2/11 ABN DIV). Following his time at NTC, Weston will attend Carnegie Mellon University. This episode covers:

- How a Detachment conducts the targeting process, who is involved, who should be involved, what is the outcome of the targeting process

- Differences in SOF targeting since the end of the Global War on Terror and what the future looks like; SOF no longer main effort and now is supporting effort for Division / Corps; dynamic targeting will not be the norm; airspace will be denied or contested

- Understanding the High Priority Target List for the Div/Corps or Joint components (land, air, or maritime components)

- HATS: High Priority Target List, Attack Guidance Matrix, Target Selection Standards, Target Synch Matrix (using Decide Detect Deliver, Assess methodology)

- Base principles and fundamentals learned from training and previous operations still apply to Multi-Domain Large Scale Combat Operations

- Div/Corps work off 96 hour targeting cycle – assess execution of day prior, delivering / executing effects for day of, conducting conditions checks for tomorrow, 48 hours out they are doing meat and potatoes of targeting and product making (detect), 72-96 hours out target nominations based of HPTL (decide)

- SF Detachments infiltrate prior to conventional units and must be integrated with BDE/DIV/CORPS targeting process prior to infil so that the Detachments can nominate targets and prosecute targets prior to conventional forces infil

- How OC/Ts and role players coach Detachments to conduct bottom up targeting process, starts with Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield, developing Named Areas of Interest, analyzing HPTL and determining what is likely in their area of operations and what they can effect

- Theater Air Control System: method to request air component resources and request air assets in the Air Tasking Order, also working through BDE Aviation Element

- Targeting is not just kinetic / lethal it is also non-kinetic / non-lethal; requires analysis (i.e. CRAVER or other methodologies ); simple sabotage Please like, subscribe, and share these episodes with ARSOF any conventional Soldiers and Leaders to spread the knowledge of ARSOF in LSCO.

To provide feedback please email the host, CPT Rich, at [e-mail].

Produced, edited, and sound engineering by Micah Popp of Salty Sounds