Branch United States Army | Size Brigade | |
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Active November 1, 1995 – present Country United States of America Type Special Operations Support Role SOSCOM's mission is to assure combat service support, health service support and signal support to Army special operations forces around the world | ||
The 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) or 528th Sustainment Brigade (SO)(A)/SBSO(A) was activated on 16 December 2008, as part of the overall United States Army Special Operations Forces logistics transformation. The brigade replaced the Special Operations Support Command (Airborne) (SOSCOM) as combat service support and combat health support unit for all Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) units.
Contents
Units
The Sustainment Brigade consists of the 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion (Airborne), the Special Troops Battalion (former 528 Support Battalion), the 528th MI Battalion, the Army Special Operations Forces Support Operations Cell, six ARSOF Liaison Elements and two Medical Role II teams. Together the units of the brigade ensure that US Army Special Operations Forces are equipped to perform their missions.
Army SOF (ARSOF) Liaison Elements (ALEs)
ARSOF Liaison Elements (ALEs) are embedded in each regional theaters' staff. They plan and coordinate with theater Army, Special Operations Command and Army Special Operations Command to ensure support during operations and training. As a theater Army staff member, these officers and non-commissioned officers' knowledge of theater-specific requirements and capabilities assist units in coordination with the theater.
Army Special Operations Forces Support Operations Cell
Army Special Operations Forces Support Operations Cells coordinate and synchronize the requirements of ARSOF with conventional Army logistics infrastructure in a deployed environment.
Special Troops Battalion and 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion
Specializing in advanced communications and resupply capabilities, members of the 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion (Airborne) and the Brigade Troops Battalion (former 528th SOSB (A)), have the mission of supporting USASOC. In their respective fields, signal and support soldiers provide supplies, maintenance, equipment and expertise allowing Special Operation Forces to "shoot, move and communicate" on a continuous basis. Because USASOC often uses Special Operations Forces-unique items, soldiers assigned to these units are taught to operate and maintain a vast array of specialized equipment not normally used by their conventional counterparts. To meet the needs of USASOC, the two battalions have developed logistical and signal packages that are deployable on a moment's notice. Soldiers assigned to these units are generally airborne qualified.