The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command closed fiscal 2016 with $14.8 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 currently managing more than 5,722 FMS cases valued at $175.9 billion in 147 countries.
USASAC is divided into regionally aligned Combatant Commands (COCOM) 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 $7.4 billion in new business and more than 2,000 active cases totaling $126 billion. There are 18 countries in CENTCOM. Over the last year, CENTCOM has been consistent with spikes due to high dollars sales, including aircraft, armor and air defense materiel. A major case for FY16 included Saudi Arabia's PATRIOT III for $1.65 billion and a refurbishment case for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles for the United Arab Emirates at $477 million. Other major cases include a contract logistic support package for Iraq for its M1A1Abrams tanks at a cost of $77 million and a $345 million case for the purchase of UH-60M Blackhawks by Saudi Arabia.
• AFRICOM, with $615 million in new business, ramping up active cases to 691 for a total program value of $3 billion. There are 41 countries in AFRICOM, whose primary tools for implementing U.S. strategy are posture, presence, programs, exercises, engagements and operations. Its largest cases include Morocco's Radio Frequency TOW missile case for $137 million; Kenya's Huey II Helicopter spare parts case for $90 million; and Tunisia's OH-58D Kiowa case for $65 million.
• EUCOM, with $4.5billion billion in new business bringing their total up to 1,545 active cases with a total program value of $18.3 billion. There are 42 countries in EUCOM. Top FMS cases include the United Kingdom's AH-64 Apache block upgrade at a cost of $2B and the Netherlands' $755 million CH-47 Chinook case and France's Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems at $43 million.
• NORTHCOM, with 106 active cases worth $1.9 billion with its two countries (Mexico and Canada. Top cases include Canada's $10 million case for Follow-On Combat Vehicles, $6.3 million for ammunition and $2.6 million for training and support elements.
• PACOM, with $2.1 billion in new business and 990 active cases totaling $23.7 billion. There are 21 countries in PACOM, which develops and executes FMS cases for partner nations in Asia and the Pacific. Among the high-dollar cases were India's AH-64E Apache Program at $932 million and Australia's CH-47F Chinook case for $119 million.
• SOUTHCOM, with $104 million in new business and 314 active cases totaling $2.6 billion. There are 28 countries in SOUTHCOM. Top cases for the fiscal year include Argentina's Bell 412EP utility helicopter case, totaling 57 million; and Brazil's 11 million case for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers technical services package.
Fiscal 2016 also brought with it several changes in leadership. USASAC's 27th commander Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald retired Sept. 1, after 36 years of active duty service. The organization welcomed its new commander Maj. Gen. Stephen Farmen, who previously served as the commanding general of the Joint Munitions and Lethality Life-Cycle Management Command and Joint Munitions Command at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill.
Leadership changes at the Office of the Program Manager-Saudi Arabian National Guard in Saudi Arabia include Brig. Frank Muth, who assumed the title of OPM-SANG Program Manager during a July 14 change of charter ceremony in Riyadh from now retired Brig. Gen. Paul Laughlin. OPM-SANG also welcomed its newest senior enlisted advisor and sergeant major, Master Sgt. Sesilio Astorga, who assumed responsibility from outgoing Sgt. Maj. Michael James Mingle.
Changes in leadership at the U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization include its newest senior enlisted advisor Command Sgt. Major Michael Lamkins, who assumed responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Hester during an Aug. 26 ceremony.
USASAC again grew when it gained another subordinate organization. In response to their expanding mission, the Ministry of Interior-Military Assistance Group (formerly called the "Facilities Security Forces-Training Advisor Group" or FSF-TAG) was restructured, transitioning from the administrative control of U.S. Central Command to USASAC. MOI-MAG is headed by Program Manager Col. Gary McGinnis and Deputy Program Manager Col. Kevin Beall. Its goal is to advance shared national interests and U.S. foreign policy and the organization serves a vital mission in support of military sales by training, advising and assisting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior in the protection of its critical infrastructure and public security capabilities.
In its 51st year, USASAC continues to serve the nation as "The Army's Face to the World," employing hundreds of employees at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.; New Cumberland, Pa.; Fort Belvoir, Va.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and in various geographic locations throughout the globe in support of its worldwide mission
USASAC will continue its vital mission of building partner capacity, supporting Combatant Command engagement strategies and strengthening U.S. global partnerships in support of U.S. National Security.
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