SOT-A

A SOT-A (Special Operations Team Alpha^[1]) is an element of the United States Army Special Forces. SOT-A teams conduct signals intelligence–electronic warfare operations in support of United States Army Special Operations Command and Joint Special Operations Command missions.^[2]

History

SOT-A's are the direct descendants of the Army Security Agency's Special Operations Detachments (USASASODs).

Capabilities

SOT-As are low-level SIGINT collection teams that intercept and report operational and technical information derived from tactical threat communications through prescribed communications paths. The mission of a SOT-A is to conduct SIGINT/EW in support of information operations (unilaterally or in conjunction with other SOF elements) to support existing and emerging SOF missions worldwide. They detect, monitor, and exploit threat communications through communications transmission intercept and direction finding. SOT-As also can deploy with SFODAs to provide SIGINT support for contingency, direct action, force protection, or MTT support. These functions may require SOT-As to:

• Deploy with an SFODA.
• Deploy independently and then join a deployed SFODA.
• Operate independently or with other SOT-As.
• Operate and train on advanced collection equipment provided by national intelligence agencies.

Insertion/Extraction Techniques

• Patrolling
• Helicopter Touchdown,
• Helocast
  • Personnel
  • Small Boat
• Rappel
• Fast Rope
• Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction (SPIE)
• Parachute
  • Static-Line

SOT-A team members can operate in remote and denied areas. In addition to their linguistic, international Morse code (IMC), and SIGINT skills, SOT-As are trained in tactical and fieldcraft techniques

SIGINT (Signals Intelligence)

• Foreign languages
  • Arabic
  • Russian
  • Korean
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Farsi
  • Chinese
  • Verbal Binary Code
• Morse Code intercept (>20 GPM)
• Analysis and reporting

Advanced training

Advanced training may include:

• Survival Evasion Resistance Escape
• Ranger School
• Mountain Survival Course/Mountain Leader Course
• Jumpmaster
• Army Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course
• Pathfinder Course

Organization

Currently, there are three SOT-A sections per battalion at every Special Forces Group. A SOT-A team generally consists of four members.^[3]

References

1. "FM 3-05.102 Army Special Forces Intelligence" (PDF). Headquarters, Department of the Army. 31 August 2001: Glossary–23.
2. "FM 3-05.102 Army Special Forces Intelligence" (PDF). Headquarters, Department of the Army. 31 August 2001: 3–10–3–11.
3. "FM 3-05.102 Army Special Forces Intelligence" (PDF). Headquarters, Department of the Army. 31 August 2001: 3–21–3–23.