Monday June 23, 2014
What is it?
Section 1206 of the NDAA for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, as amended and regularly extended, provides the Secretary of Defense with authority to train and equip foreign military for two specified purposes – counterterrorism and stability operations. It is a Title 10 program with Section 1201 extending it through FY17. FY14 funding is projected at $350 million across the military services with a one-time $75 million for implementation in East Africa, of which the Army will execute $59 million.
The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC) is responsible for executing Army Section 1206 authorizations through its Foreign Military Sales program. Some of the types of materiel and services provided to foreign partners in support of 1206 includes Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, weapons, wheeled vehicles, Soldier equipment, medical supplies, radios, night vision devices, ammunition, training aids, training, and field service representatives /contractor logistics support
USASAC objectives are to build partner capability; to support the engagement strategies of combatant commanders around the globe; and to strengthen U.S. global partnerships.
What has the Army done?
Since the 1206 program began in FY07, the Army has executed 501 cases with a total value of $1.6 billion for more than 30 countries in U.S. Africa, Central, Europe and Pacific Commands and provided foreign partners with the capability to conduct counterterrorist and stability operations. During FY14’s first appropriation, or Tranche 1, Army’s case value was $18.5 million supporting combatant command (COCOM) foreign military partners in AFRICOM and CENTCOM.
During Tranche 2, 42 cases are expected to be implemented with an estimated value of $100 million supporting foreign partners in EUCOM and AFRICOM. There is also a separate appropriation to support African Union operations in Somalia valued at $59 million.
What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
To fully support urgent and emerging requirements inherent in this program, Army is developing long-term contracts in coordination with the COCOMs to expeditiously procure and deliver appropriate materiel and services.
Why is this important to the Army?
Section 1206, is used to “shape” the environment and provide foreign partners with the capability to independently conduct counterterrorism operations in their country/region, or to have interoperability with U.S. and allied forces. A recent example of its importance are 1206 recipients Kenya and Uganda, which have used 1206 training and equipment in support of their deployments with the African Union to fight Somali militants.
Resources:
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