Defense Security Cooperation: A Proven Access Enabler for Operational Commanders

摘要

Foreign access is an essential element to the success of U.S. Joint Force Transformation. Existing in parallel to the access requirements associated with transforming the military's global footprint is the ongoing requirement associated with contingency response. Combatant commanders can increase the likelihood of obtaining overseas access through the use of proactive security cooperation programs that support the self-interests of potential host nations. This work examines the scope of security cooperation activities within the Department of Defense. Illustrative examples of security cooperation in new reach areas of the Horn of Africa, Central Asia, and the Asian Littorals will be used to demonstrate the effectiveness of security cooperation as an access enabler for operational commanders. As America enters the 21st Century, the requirement for overseas access will not abate; it will most likely increase in response to emerging threats associated with terrorism and global dysfunction. Combatant commanders will be reliant upon the goodwill of friendly and neutral nations for future access. Security cooperation provides the means to positively influence the willingness of foreign governments to permit access to their territory. Combatant commanders must capitalize on the access enabling power of security cooperation. Security Cooperation activities described in this paper include humanitarian demining in the country of Djibouti; peacekeeping exercises in Uzbekistan, known as CENTRAZBAT; the transfer of a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter to Azerbaijan under the Excess Defense Articles program to help it interdict smugglers on the Caspian Sea; in the Philippines, training the Armed Forces in counterterrorism tactics and providing military hardware, humanitarian aid, and civic assistance; and providing IMET programs for the Indonesian Armed Forces to help them develop an officer corps. (40 refs.).