A SOT-A (Special Operations Team-Alpha) is an element of the United States Army Special Forces. SOT-A teams conduct signals intelligence–electronic warfare operations in support of United States Army Special Operations Command and Joint Special Operations Command missions.
Contents
History
SOT-A's are the direct descendants of the Army Security Agency's Special Operations Detachments (USASASODs).
Capabilities
SOT-As are low-level SIGINT collection teams that intercept and report operational and technical information derived from tactical threat communications through prescribed communications paths. The mission of a SOT-A is to conduct SIGINT/EW in support of information operations (unilaterally or in conjunction with other SOF elements) to support existing and emerging SOF missions worldwide. They detect, monitor, and exploit threat communications through communications transmission intercept and direction finding. SOT-As also can deploy with SFODAs to provide SIGINT support for contingency, direct action, force protection, or MTT support. These functions may require SOT-As to:
Insertion/Extraction Techniques
SOT-A team members can operate in remote and denied areas. In addition to their linguistic and SIGINT skills, SOT-As are trained in tactical and fieldcraft techniques.
SIGINT (Signals Intelligence)
Advanced training
Advanced training may include:
Organization
Currently, there are three SOT-A sections per battalion at every Special Forces Group. A SOT-A team generally consists of four members.