Asymmetric Warfare Group

The Asymmetric Warfare Group is a unit of the United States Army created during the War on Terrorism to craft doctrine for asymmetric warfare. The unit is stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland and reports through the 20th Support Command to Army G-3/5/7. [army.mil: [http://www.army.mil/aps/08/information_papers/prepare/Army_Asymmetric_Warfare_Group.html Information Papers - Asymmetric Warfare Group] ]

Mission

The AWG conducts operational advisory assistance to Army and Joint Force Commanders enabling them to identify and close capability gaps, enhance training, and exploit enemy vulnerabilities in order to mitigate and defeat asymmetric threats and help form a mentally agile and adaptive Army culture.

Mission statement

The Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG) is the Army’s new rapid deployable unit. The AWG is organized to conduct continuous and simultaneous operations throughout the world to help units defeat specified asymmetric threats against the United States. Simply put, the AWG is the US expert in asymmetric warfare. [ [http://www.awg.army.mil/ Asymmetric Warfare Group] ]

Key Tasks

* Serve as the global conventional U.S. Army expert in asymmetric warfare
* Deploy, integrate, coordinate and execute battle command of AWG trained and ready forces
* Assist in identification, development, and integration of countermeasure technologies
* Establish linkages with all internal, combatant command, and national intelligence agencies
* Analyze asymmetric threats
* Observe, collect, develop, validate, and disseminate emerging tactics, techniques, and procedures.
* Support JTF (Joint-task Force) commanders and units in countering AW threats

History

The AWG traces its origin to the 2003 Army Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Task Force. The Army G3 directed the establishment of the Asymmetric Warfare Regiment (AWR) in June 2004. The AWR eventually changed its title to the Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG).

Baiting controversy

In September 2007, the Washington Post revealed allegations of a 'baiting' operation involving the AWG. [cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/23/AR2007092301431.html?referrer=emailarticle|title=U.S. Aims To Lure Insurgents With 'Bait'|last=White|first=Josh|coauthors=Joshua Partlow|date=September 24, 2007|accessdate=2008-08-20] [cite news|url=http://rawstory.com/news/2007/US_Sniper_tactics_of_bait_and_0925.html|title=U.S. sniper 'bait and kill' tactics may be a war crime|last=Edwards|first=David|coauthors=Adam Doster|publisher=September 25, 2007|accessdate=2008-08-20] The AWG was reported to have ordered soldiers to "bait" and then shoot alleged insurgents in Iraq. [cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-483668/US-snipers-target-Iraqi-insurgents-luring-bait.html|title=US snipers target Iraqi insurgents by luring them with 'bait'|date=24 September 2007 |accessdate=2008-08-20] [cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Sep25/0,4670,USIraqSnipers,00.html|title=U.S. Snipers Accused of 'Baiting' Iraqis|last=Jelinek|first=Pauline|coauthors=Robert Burns|date=September 25, 2007|publisher=foxnews.com / AP|accessdate=2008-08-20] [cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/nov/11/usa.iraq|title=Murder trial sniper says US used 'bait' for suspect Iraqis|last=Smith|first=David|date=November 11 2007|publisher=guardian.co.uk (The Observer)|accessdate=2008-08-20] [cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/weapons-left-by-us-troops-used-as-bait-to-kill-iraqis-403421.html|title=Weapons left by US troops 'used as bait to kill Iraqis'|last=Sengupta|first=Kim|date=25 September 2007|publisher=The Independent|accessdate=2008-08-20] Charges of planting evidence and murder were brought forth in 2007 against Specialist Jorge Sandoval and Staff Sergeant Michael Hensley, both of whom were acquitted of murder but found guilty of having planted evidence in an attempt to cover up the shooting. Sandoval testified that the AWG had given soldiers spools of wire, plastic explosives and AK-47 rounds so that snipers could boost the number of suspected insurgents they killed by shooting whoever picked up the materials. [cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-28-soldier_N.htm|title=U.S. soldier acquitted on murder charges|date=9/28/2007|publisher=USA Today / AP|accessdate=2008-08-20] cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23192301-5003402,00.html|title=US soldier found guilty of murder|date=February 11, 2008|publisher=news.com.au|accessdate=2008-08-20] In early 2008, another soldier was convicted by a court martial of murdering an unarmed Iraqi citizen and then planting a gun on his body. [cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/25/AR2007092502136_pf.html|title=Charges Against Snipers Stir Debate on 'Baiting'|last=White|first=Josh|coauthors=Ann Scott Tyson|date=September 26, 2007|publisher=washingtonpost.com|accessdate=2008-08-20]

References

External links

*United States Army, [http://www.army.mil/professionalwriting/volumes/volume3/april_2005/4_05_4.html Professional Writing Collection description of unit]