Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs (SAF/IA) – SAF/IA is committed to enabling conflict prevention and joint/coalition operational success through sustained security cooperation activities in air, space and cyberspace domains. Its focus is on maintaining and building trust with existing and new partners for mutual security interests while strengthening U.S. and global security.
SAF/IA operates in multiple mission areas:
- Political-Military Assessment
- Security Assistance
- International Armaments Cooperation
- Foreign Disclosure & Export Control
- Comparative Weapons Analysis
- International Professionals Development
Army Secretariat for Security Assistance and Exports Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Exports and Cooperation (DASA[DE&C]) – DASA(DE&C) is the Army’s lead for SA, international armaments cooperation, and export policy. The DASA(DE&C) also serves as the Army’s representative to a number of bilateral and multilateral international fora.
DASA(DE&C)’s mission is to proactively engage across the spectrum of security cooperation and have greater flexibility in satisfying changing global requirements. DASA(DE&C) is the U.S. Army lead for exports, technology transfer, armaments cooperation, and for equipping and training our international partners. That involves managing, leading, and directing policy, resources, and strategy for the conduct of the Army’s global security cooperation programs, with direct tasking authority over the Army’s designated executive agents for the execution of their delegated SC responsibilities.
U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC) – The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, under DASA (DE&C), is responsible for managing SA programs and Foreign Military Sales for the Army. USASAC is known as the “Army’s Face to the World” because it serves as the primary entry point for U.S. Army materiel- and service-related FMS requirements. Headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., the mission of USASAC is leading the Army Materiel Command Security Assistance Enterprise, developing and managing SA programs and FMS cases to build partner capacity, supporting GCC engagement strategies, and strengthening U.S. global partnerships.
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Directorate of International Cooperation (USD(AT&L/IC)) – The International Cooperation (IC) directorate in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics supports the USD(AT&L) in carrying out his responsibilities and exercising his authorities on all international matters. The directorate develops and monitors the implementation of defense policies on international cooperation in coordination with U.S. government agencies, foreign governments and industry. The office develops and monitors the implementation of international armaments cooperation policies within DoD in close coordination with other U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, and U.S. and foreign industry.
While the United Arab Emirates purchased its F-16Es and F-16s through Direct Commercial Sale, weapons, spares, and support for the aircraft came through an FMS case. Lockheed Martin photo
State Department Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM) – PM’s efforts on security assistance, including work with DSCA, are focused on two offices: The Office of Security Assistance (PM/SA) and the Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers (RSAT). PM/SA directs more than $6 billion annually in grant assistance to allies and friends through policy development, budget formulation, and program oversight, working through three teams.
PM/RSAT advances U.S. foreign policy and national security interests through its management of bilateral/multilateral political-military and regional security relations and the sale/transfer of U.S.-origin defense articles and services to foreign governments. RSAT is the State Department’s principal entry point for bilateral and regional political-military questions from the U.S. government interagency and foreign governments. It is also a key link between the Departments of State and Defense, interfacing with the OSD, Joint Staff and the GCCs on regional security issues.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – One of DSCA’s top partner agencies in Humanitarian Assistance and Foreign Disaster Relief and Emergency Response, USAID provides assistance in more than 100 countries, including improving global health and environmental sustainability, helping societies recover from conflicts, and providing humanitarian assistance in the wake of natural and man-made disasters.
When disaster strikes, USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) sends regional and technical experts to the affected country to identify and prioritize humanitarian needs. In the wake of a large-scale disaster, OFDA can deploy a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to coordinate and manage an optimal U.S. government response – often including DSCA’s Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief and Mine Action Division (HDM) – while working closely with local officials, the international community and relief agencies. OFDA also maintains stocks of emergency relief supplies in warehouses worldwide and has the logistical and operational capabilities to deliver them quickly.
The Combatant Commands (COCOMs) – A Combatant Command is a unified or specified command with a broad continuing mission under a single commander established and designated by the president, through the SECDEF and with the advice and assistance of the CJCS. Combatant Commands typically have geographic responsibilities (such as U.S. European Command) or functional responsibilities (such as the U.S. Transportation Command). DSCA works with the COCOMs to develop and execute effective country programs.
Joint Staff Directorate for Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5) – The J-5 assists the CJCS in four key areas: current and future military strategy, planning guidance, and policy; political-military advice and policies; military positions on projected and ongoing international negotiations; and interagency coordination within these three areas. DSCA works closely with the J-5 on strategic issues related to security assistance and security cooperation matters, including train and equip, and the security assistance budget development.
This article first appeared in the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency – Defense Solutions for America’s Global Partners 2014 publication.