Security enterprise recalls successful fiscal year

By Ms. Adriane Elliot (OPMSANG)January 7, 2016

Security enterprise recalls successful fiscal year
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command closed fiscal 2015 with $20.5 billion in new business, making it yet another successful year in foreign military sales.

The command, which develops and manages the Army's security assistance programs and FMS, is managing more than 5,247 FMS cases valued at $171.9 billion in 144 countries.

USASAC is divided into regionally aligned Combatant Commands that cover every continent in the world providing the potential sale of equipment, spare parts, maintenance, training and simulation, technical documentation and facilities. The COCOMs consist of:

• CENTCOM, with $15.3 billion in new business and 1,915 active cases totaling $126 billion. There are 17 countries in the CENTCOM region. Over the last year, CENTCOM has been consistent with spikes due to high dollars sales, including aircraft, armor and air defense materiel. CENTCOM has averaged $6.5B in sales each of the last five years. UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters were a big seller in 2015 as well as Apache and Patriot PAC-3 missiles.

o USASAC accelerated provisions of arms and ammunition to counter the Islamic State and the Levant offensive in Iraq. Beginning on Jan. 6, 2014, in response to Prime Minister Maliki's request to Vice President Biden for assistance, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, USASAC, and the Life Cycle Management Commands worked tirelessly to successfully fulfill the prime minister's request for expedited support. That support continued through 2015 through the Iraq Train and Equip Fund where the U.S. government has committed $1.3 billion in aid to support counter-terrorism operations and helping build partner capacity.

• AFRICOM, with $1.6 billion in new business and 568 active cases totaling $2.4 billion. There are 32 countries in AFRICOM, whose primary tools for implementing U.S. strategy are posture, presence, programs, exercises, engagements and operations.

o In North and West Africa the U.S. is addressing growing threats from Al-Qaida affiliates and adherents, a growing Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant presence, and Boko Haram. FMS sales to Africa significantly increased and the two largest FMS cases ever for Africa were implemented this year, including M1A1 tanks with a value of $971.5 million to Morocco and UH-60M Black Hawk aircraft to Tunisia with a value of $405 million.

• EUCOM, with $1.4 billion in new business and 1,410 active cases totaling $15.2 billion. There are 41 countries in EUCOM.

o Top FMS cases include Turkey's $2.9B for Patriot missile firing units, GEM-T missiles and PAC-3 missiles, followed by the United Kingdom's AH-64E aircraft purchase at $2.4 billion and CH-47D aircraft to the Netherlands for a total of $797 million.

• PACOM, with $1.3 billion in new business and 927 active cases totaling $23.5 billion. There are 22 countries in PACOM.

o FMS case highlights include the Indian Air Force purchase of AH-64E Longbow Apache helicopters, a hybrid case valued at $932 million. The AH 64E helicopters will improve India's capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. It also increases India's defensive capability to counter ground-armored threats and modernize its armed forces. PACOM also contributed to various countries for United Nations' Missions and Peace Keeping Operations by supplying defense articles such as Up Armored Humvees, Night Vision Devices and generators. Values in excess of $4 million from the Global Peace Operations Initiative funds were provided for these efforts.

• SOUTHCOM, with $193 million in new business and 320 active cases totaling $2.5 billion. There are 29 cases in the SOUTHCOM region.

o The Mexico Secretariat De La Defensa Nacional (SEDENA) purchase of UH-60M Black Hawks and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. Even though SEDENA's case for UH-60M, valued at $584 million, was implemented in FY '14, it carried significantly impacts for FY '15 which involved support from many agencies within the Army Security Assistance Enterprise to accelerate the delivery schedule and support countries request to expedite deliveries of UH-60M between October and December 2015, to support ongoing Mexican Army and Air Force operations. SEDENA purchase of Humvees valued at $271 million have deliveries ongoing which contribute to the Mexican military's goal of updating its capabilities, while significantly increasing its capability to provide in-country troop mobility and security.

Fiscal 2015 also marked leadership changes for USASAC. Command Sgt. Maj. Rodger Mansker relinquished command and welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Dana S. Mason Jr., the organization's second command sergeant major. USASAC also welcomed its new chief of staff, Col. Phillip Chambers, following Col. Lawrence Fuller, who retired after 30 years of service. Chambers came to Redstone Arsenal from Saudi Arabia, where he served as the deputy for the Office of the Program Manager, Saudi Arabian National Guard in Riyadh. OPM-SANG a subordinate command of USASAC, welcomed its new deputy, Col. David Matthew Fee, and Sgt. Maj. Michael James Mingle.

USASAC celebrated its 50th anniversary July 19 with ceremonies at its current Redstone Arsenal headquarters and its original headquarters in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Serving the nation for more than a half-century USASAC remains "The Army's Face to the World," employing more than 860 personnel at Redstone Arsenal; New Cumberland; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and in various geographic locations throughout the globe in support of its worldwide mission

Fiscal 2015 was another banner year for USASAC, and the command will continue to build partner capacity, support engagement strategies of combatant commanders and strengthen U.S. global partnerships in support of America's national strategy.

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