Looking back on 2018, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC) achieved many personnel and mission accomplishments. USASAC continued to lead the Army Materiel Command’s security assistance enterprise. As the “Army’s Face to the World”, it builds partner nation’s capacity through foreign military sales cases.
Numbers were up in most categories for the year. Notably, $22 billion in new business – the highest since fiscal year 2009; a 6 percent increase in total Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program value; and nearly 2,500 items shipped on time 97 percent of the time.
But, accomplishments are not limited to numbers.
Several changes in USASAC leadership included Maj. Gen. Jeff Drushal assuming command July 16. Maj. Gen Stephen Farmen, USASAC previous commanding general relinquished command Feb. 7. Robert Moore, who has served as the deputy to the commanding general since 2010, assumed the role as USASAC’s first executive director while awaiting Drushal’s arrival.
Other leadership changes included Col. Kevin Lambert assuming leadership of the Office of the Program Manager - Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program (OPM-SANG) during a change of charter ceremony in June.
Two change of responsibility ceremonies saw Sgt. Maj. William A. Covey join OPM-SANG and Command Sgt. Maj. Brad Owens join the U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization (SATMO) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Other personnel accomplishments included the New Cumberland employees moving into a new building; the ribbon-cutting ceremony was May 10.
Six employees graduated from the USASAC Mentor Program at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Mentors were paired with mentees for the yearlong program designed to broaden their knowledge of the organization and develop skills such as preparing and presenting a briefing to senior leaders.
Highlights from USASAC’s Regional Operations Directorates include:
AFRICOM
Africa Command (AFRICOM), with $184 million in new business, ramped up active cases to 782 for a total program value of $3.3 billion. There are 40 countries in AFRICOM with FMS cases, whose primary tools for implementing U.S. strategy are posture, presence, programs, exercises, engagements and operations.
Its largest cases in fiscal year 2018 include a building partner capacity case for Uganda construction equipment, spares, support equipment and training; a Uganda building partner capacity case for Huey II training, spares, contractor field service representative and weapons integration; a Tunisia case for small arms; and a building partner capacity case for Uganda C2 Node communication equipment and electronic equipment.
The final 21 M1A1 tanks were successfully delivered in Casablanca, Morocco, Aug. 21, meeting the promise to deliver all 222 tanks within three years. These tanks contribute to the modernization of the tank fleet and enhance its ability to meet current and future threats. Four Black Hawk helicopters were delivered in Tunisia in June, completing the delivery of eight helicopters. The helicopters give Tunisia the capability to counter violent extremist organizations within Tunisia.
EUCOM
European Command (EUCOM), with $9.6 billion in new business, brings its total up to 1,689 active cases with a total program value of $28 billion. There are 42 countries in EUCOM with FMS cases.
Some FMS milestone cases in fiscal year 2018 included Poland WISLA PATRIOT with Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS); Netherlands’s AH-64E Apache Upgrade; Sweden PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3); and the Greece EDA OH-58D helicopters and spare parts.
CENTCOM
Central Command (CENTCOM) manages nearly 2,000 active cases totaling $132 billion for 17 countries in CENTCOM with active Security Assistance Programs. Case highlights included implementation of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems for Saudi Arabia.
Another major case was the purchase of UH-60M Black Hawks for Afghanistan.
INDOPACOM
Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), with $570 million in new business, ramps up its active cases to 975 for a total program value of $1.9 billion. There are 36 countries in INDOPACOM with 22 countries with FMS cases.
Some of the accepted cases for FY18 include a Javelin missile case for Australia supporting modernization and interoperability of military equipment; a Nepal case for M16A4 rifles; and M4 Carbines supporting United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Operations Missions.
Significant deliveries supporting partners included PAC-3 CRI missiles and stingers to Republic of Korea (ROK). Indonesia received a new capability and delivery of eight AH-64E and hellfire missiles. Thailand included urgent requirement deliveries of M4A1s for the Royal Thai Army (RTA) Kings Security Force and TOW II missiles for the Royal Thai army and navy. Philippines armed forces accepted a case for mortars and mortars to assist with operations in the southern Philippines. India was added to the list of countries within the Arms Export Control Act that receive favorable treatment as close partners and allies of the U.S. Australia received urgent M16 parts to support Papua-New Guinea during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Nov. 18.
SOUTHCOM
Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), with $60 million in new business, brings its total up to 320 active cases with a total program value of $2.6 billion. There are 33 countries in SOUTHCOM with 28 countries with FMS cases.
Top FMS cases in FY18 included four excess defense articles (EDA) C-23B + Sherpa aircraft for Brazil and M4A1 for Trinidad-Tobago. Deliveries included EDA M109A5 to Brazil, sniper rifles to Colombia, four Bell 412EP helicopters to Argentina, and a building partner capacity case for Glock 17 pistols to Trinidad-Tobago.
NORTHCOM
Northern Command (NORTHCOM), with $12 million in new business, brings its total up to 91 active cases with a total program value of $1.9 billion. There are three countries in NORTHCOM with two countries with FMS cases.
The top FMS case in FY18 included 108 night vision devices for Mexico’s armed forces for national defense, combating cartels and protecting its borders. USASAC is also working to assist the Mexican Office for National Defense in sustaining its UH-60Ms.
SATMO
In 2018, SATMO prepared, ordered and employed 59 Security Assistance Teams positioned globally in 37 countries in support of Army Security Assistance requirements and missions. SATMO activated three battalions, also known as Regional Security Assistance Commands (RSACs) in October 2018.
Two Teams operating within the SOUTHCOM area of operations received significant honors in 2018: the Guatemalan Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) members were presented with the Medalla Monja Blanca by Guatemalan President Jimmy Lorales and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative TAFT Team was presented with the 2017 DOD Top Maintenance Award for providing the highest levels of training, advice and assistance in building nation partner capacity.
The Afghanistan UH-60 Pilot & Maintenance Training Aviation TAFT, a SATMO mission qualification team comprised of military personnel and contracted professionals successfully trained 31 UH-60A/L pilots and 26 crew chiefs. This training allows the Afghan air force to independently conduct multi-ship combat operations in Afghanistan.
OPM-SANG
OPM-SANG’s Contracting Division renewed three major contracts: Training and Support Services Contract – Ground, valued at $940 million; Training and Support Services Contract – Aviation, valued at $347 million and Initial Entry Rotary Wing/English Language Training valued at $149 million. They also executed 303 contract actions valued at $404 million in FY18 alone.
OPM-SANG’s Aviation Division continued with the development of its five operational lines of effort: manning, training, equipping, services and facilities in support of Saudi Arabia National Guard and their 24 UH-60M, 23 AH-6i and 12 AH-64E helicopters and numerous flight simulators.
MOI-MAG
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