Security Cooperation for the Army National Guard

By U.S. ArmyFebruary 16, 2011

Security Cooperation for the Army National Guard

What is it'

According to JCS Pub 1-02, Security Cooperation includes "All Department of Defense (DoD) interactions with foreign defense establishments to build defense relationships that promote specific U.S. security interests, develop allied and friendly military capabilities for self-defense and multinational operations, and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access to a host nation." From an Army National Guard (ARNG) perspective, Security Cooperation forces are mobilized to engage in "self-defense and multinational operations."

What has the Army National Guard done'

The ARNG has a long history of Security Cooperation engagement. Engagement activities include building partnerships, mostly military-to-military; peacekeeping; providing national and security assistance; and conducting humanitarian, counterdrug, and counterterrorism operations. Each year, the ARNG provides over 60 percent of the Soldiers requested by the Army Service Component Commands (ASCCs) to support military exercises worldwide. For example, in 2010 the ARNG provided approximately 25,000 Soldiers to support 48 military exercises in 104 partner countries. A few key exercises include Beyond the Horizons in Central America, Yama Sakura in Japan, Austere Challenge in Germany, and Bright Star in Egypt.

In 2010 the ARNG's State Partnership Program (SPP) provided approximately 4,000 Soldiers to participate in key military exchanges with 62 SPP partner countries, to include the National Guard's mobilization and deployment of Agriculture Development Teams (ADT) in Afghanistan. These ADTs are a good example of the National Guard building partnerships as an operational force that is actively engaged in an era of persistent conflict across the spectrum of conflict.

What does the Army National Guard have planned for the future'

In addition to its ADTs, the ARNG has proposed creating conceptually similar Security Assist and Advise Teams (SAATs). As proposed, the SAATs will meet other specialized requirements of the geographic combatant commanders (GCCs) for those countries at risk within the technical areas of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosives (CBRNE) Consequence Management, Disaster Preparedness, Border/Port Security, Counter Drug, and Military Professional Development. The ARNG is committed to participating in security cooperation events across the spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commander (CCDR) Theater Security Cooperation Plans.

Why is this important to the Army National Guard'

Security Cooperation gains importance as the ARNG addresses its force "relevancy" and "balance," and continues to maintain a driving OPTEMPO as an operational force within the Army. Ultimately, the importance of Security Cooperation is determined by the CCDRs, as they identify Guard force requirements through the Global Employment of the Force (GEF) process in support of their respective Theater Security Cooperation Plans.

Resources:

For additional details on these and other Security Cooperation related activities, sign into AKO to view: <a href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/117596 " target="_blank"> Global MinuteMan quarterly publication </a>