SOFLE Unites BATARG and USSOCOM

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

10.04.2023

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Danilo Reynoso 

USS Bataan (LHD 5)

The Special Operations Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE) is a five-man team, embarked with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). The team isn’t only Marines Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), but also personnel from Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW), U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and a liaison officer from the 26th MEU (SOC).
The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is comprised of Bataan, San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), along with the 26th MEU (SOC). The Bataan ARG’s mission is to provide a forward-deployed, flexible, sea-based Marine Air Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations in order to support the theater requirements of geographic combatant commanders. USSOCOM designates specific SOFLE teams to deploy with ARG/MEUs to improve the ability to access and leverage the special operations information environment, improve coordination with the respective theater special operation commands (TSOC) and their theater special operation forces (SOF) elements, and facilitate interdependent ARG/MEU/SOF operations, activities, and investments in order to support the geographic combatant commands’ steady state and crisis operations. This support provides a forward tactical communications capability for the Bataan ARG 26th MEU (SOC) increasing coordinated capabilities.
Army Staff Sgt. Eric Johnson, assigned to 112th Signal Battalion (Special Operations) (Airborne), under the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), is a satellite communications noncommissioned officer by trade. Aboard the Bataan, he is part of the SOFLE as a communicator, handling items such as, but not limited to radios, computers, networking equipment, etc.
“As the SOFLE, I process and disseminate intelligence products and the exchanges necessary to create and maintain situational awareness to support general services, operational awareness, and for fusion into the joint common operational picture” said Johnson. “I utilize the full spectrum of SOF capabilities across Naval Special Warfare, Air Force Special Operations Command, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, United States Army Special Operations Command, and Joint Special Operations Command to derive releasable products and keep the decision makers informed of everything going on within the theater.”
The SOFLE team better equips Bataan ARG 26th MEU (SOC) commanders by keeping them informed of SOF operations. By expanding the operational picture for combatant commanders, SOFLE helps assist in operational organization and increase combined capabilities between the MEU and SOF enterprise. “The coordination and synchronization efforts of the SOFLEs will help prevent fratricide, enable information sharing, maximize opportunities, and maintain mutual situational understanding throughout current and future operations with the overarching intent of fostering and institutionalizing CF-SOF interdependence, integration, and interoperability,” said Johnson.

• Date Taken: 10.04.2023
• Date Posted: 12.02.2023 08:19
• Story ID: 458797
• Location: U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY