On December 1, 1989, the Department of the Army established the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as the Army's 16th major Army command to enhance the readiness of Army Special Operations Forces.
The change streamlined the command and control of U.S. Army Reserve Special Operations Forces. Army support to the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) located at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., also was enhanced as a result of the new command and control structure. USSOCOM is the Congressionally-mandated unified command responsible for all Department of Defense Special Operations Forces - Army, Navy, and Air Force.
As the Army's component of USSOCOM, USASOC provides Special Forces, Ranger, Special Operations Aviation, Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs Forces to USSOCOM for deployment, if required, to other combatant unified commands around the world.
As a major Army command, USASOC reports directly to Department of the Army. USASOC commands both the active Army and U.S. Reserve Special Operations Forces. The MACOM also provides oversight of Army National Guard Special Operations Force readiness, organization, training, and employment in coordination with the National Guard Bureau and State Adjutants General.
Lt. Gen. Gary E. Luck was appointed USASOC's first commander
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The stylized spearhead alludes to the shoulder sleeve insignia worn by the 1st Special Service Force and signifies the heritage and traditions that the U.S. Army Special Operations Command will perpetuate. The unsheathed black dagger symbolizes total military preparedness and has long been associated with Army Special Operations Forces. The insignia is worn and displayed with the addition of a black and red airborne tab above, indicating the airborne status of the command.
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