A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches in height consisting of three
black arrows, the tips (points) of which are outlined in silver. One arrow is severely
curved about the circumference, the second less severely curved, starting and ending at
the outer limits and passing through the center, and the third straight and penetrating
the other two.
The two curved arrows represent enemy propaganda, distorting the truth, aimed at
friendly forces. The straight arrow represents truth and knowledge piercing enemy
propaganda and omitting light (silver metal) while the enemy propaganda attempts to block
and restrain the light. There is a secondary symbolism in that the three types of
propaganda—black (emanating from other than purported source), gray (doubtful
source), and white (emanating from purported source) - are represented by the degree of
curvature of the arrows. The black and silver serve to gain attention by its contrast but
is subtle in that conservative colors are used.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 5th Psychological
Operations Battalion on 31 January 1967. It was redesignated for the 5th Psychological
Operations Group on 29 January 1976. The insignia was redesignated effective 16 October
2004, for the 5th Psychological Operations Battalion.
The funny part is that some members of the unit say that the insignia was a trick
they played on the Army. They designed it as a peace symbol during the Viet Nam era as a
silent protest. I don’t know if we can believe this story because these insignia are
usually designed by the Heraldry office of the United States Army, but it is
possible…
The 5th PSYOP Battalion Coat of Arms.
Shield: Vertical (Dark Green), a stylized silver arrow arching from right to left,
two black arrows at center; a vertical arrow intersecting a curved arrow.
VICTORY THROUGH INFLUENCE
Dark green and silver gray are the colors traditionally associated with
Psychological Operations. The pile symbolizes military fortitude and power, also denotes
the unit’s designation, “V” (Roman 5). The two black arrows signify the
Greek letter “psi” used to symbolize “psychology,” also alludes to the
mind. The combination of the pile and the psi symbol suggests the “power over the
mind,” the battalion mission. The arched arrow at the bottom pierced by the pile
indicates the battalion’s persuasion to block enemy propaganda. The coat of arms was
approved effective 16 October 2004.
Constituted: 3 March 1951 in the Regular Army as the 5th Loudspeaker and
Leaflet Company, Army
Activated: 19 March 1951 at Fort Riley, Kansas
Reorganized and Redesignated: 8 June 1953 as the 5th Loudspeaker and Leaflet
Company
Reorganized and Redesignated: 24 June 1961 as the 5th Psychological Warfare
Company
Reorganized and Redesignated: 25 June 1965 as the 5th Psychological
Operations Battalion
Inactivated: 20 June 1975 in Germany
Redesignated: 30 December 1975 as the 5th Psychological Operations Group;
concurrently withdrawn from the Regular Army, allotted to the Army Reserve,
and activated at Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Reorganized: and redesignated 18 September 1990 as Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 5th Psychological Operations Group
Inactivated: 15 September 1994 at Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Redesignated: 18 November 2003 as Headquarters, Headquarters and Service
Company, 5th Psychological Operations Battalion, withdrawn from the Army
Reserve, and allotted to the Regular Army (organic elements concurrently
constituted)
Activated: 16 October 2004 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
BERET FLASH
A shield-shaped embroidered item with a semicircular base 2-1/4 inches in
height by 1-7/8 inches in width overall, edged with a 1/8 inch black outer
border; Per pale Argent (Silver Gray) and Argent, surmounted by two flanches
palewise Vert and Celeste, chief flanch extending past fesspoint and edged
Sable, charged by a pallet of the last.
PARACHUTE WINGS OVAL
An oval shaped embroidered item 1-3/8 inches in height by 2-1/4 inches in
width overall, edged with a 1/8 inch black outer border; Per pale Argent
(Silver Gray) and Argent, surmounted by two flanches palewise Vert and
Celeste, chief flanch extending past fesspoint and edged Sable, charged by a
pallet of the last.
PACOM Battalion Challenge Coin
5th PSYOP Battalion Challenge Coin
The 5th Psychological Operations Battalion is a subordinate unit of the 4th
Psychological Operations Group. The 5th POB has regional responsibility for the Pacific
area covered by Pacific Command (PACOM). The Battalion produces and disseminates written
propaganda. It also has the ability to operate in the radio broadcast field.
Origin - the 5th Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company
5th Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company logo
The unit was first constituted on 3 March 1951 in the Regular Army as the 5th
Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company. It was activated 19 March 1951 at Fort Riley, Kansas. It
was reorganized and redesignated 8 June 1953 as the 5th Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company
5th Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company
Veritas - Volume 10, Number 1, 2014
5th Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company 1951-1953 Booklet
The 5th Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company 1951-1953 Booklet is in two sections. The
first is “The job of an L&L Company.” This section explains the platoons and
sections of an L&L Company. The second is “The company history.”
What are the duties of a Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company? The Korean War era Booklet
says:
The L & L Company is a combat support weapon. It does its job with
loudspeakers, set up close to the front line, hurling out messages to the enemy, and with
leaflets thrown out by the thousands over enemy troops from airplanes or artillery shells.
An L & L Company is also an American propaganda agency. It is the voice of
the United States Army addressing the enemy. Its words are as official as the commanding
general’s signature. Thus, each broadcast and each written message must be carefully
prepared, must be accurate, and must conform to established policy. In a sense, the L
& L men are simply the transmitters of messages from a whole people.
The men in L&L companies are carefully picked and trained for their jobs. The
loudspeaker announcers must be experts in the enemy language; the leaflet writers must be
skilled in the art of propaganda. But it takes many more men than these to run a
“Psywar” company – artists to design the leaflets; pressmen and
lithographers to print them; intelligence specialist; mechanics; administrative and mess
personnel.
5th Loudspeaker & Leaflet Members Study a Leaflet they just
Printed
An L&L Company is made up of the following subordinate units:
Publication Platoon: The Intelligence Section is responsible for obtaining
up-to-date factual information on enemy morale, monitoring enemy radio broadcasts and the
interrogation of enemy prisoners. The Propaganda Section is composed of artists, writers
and linguists that produce the written and illustrative material that forms the leaflet.
The camera and plate section includes skilled technicians whose job it is to prepare the
photographic plate for the platoon presses. The Press Section operates the offset presses
mounted in the vans. Each press is capable of turning out thousands of leaflet impressions
per hour. The Processing Section is where the finished leaflets or news sheets are packed
into bundles for dissemination by artillery shells and bombs.
Loudspeaker Platoon: Headquarters and three sections. It is composed of
linguists and radio mechanics that are responsible for one of the most important elements
of combat psychological warfare, making loudspeaker appeals to the enemy.
Company Headquarters Platoon: Headquarters; administration; transportation;
food; training, supply and operations.
Intelligence Specialist Monitors a Foreign Language Radio Broadcast
In January 1952, the company instituted a program of monitoring radio broadcasts to
train unit linguists. The Propaganda Section was designing and writing leaflets for
Seventh Army maneuvers. A variety of leaflets was finished by 1 March, ready for
production in quantity for stockpiling. Several others were produced later for divisional
maneuvers. The company newspaper, The Leaflet, furnished training for both Propaganda and
mechanical section personnel.
In April 1952, the company took part in a company exercise in the training area.
This two day exercise included printing leaflets, combat problems and various alerts.
Later that spring the Company took part in a Seventh Army CPX. The unit published
several newspapers in the field. In July 1952, elements of the unit again trained with the
Seventh Army, printing leaflets in the field for civil affairs and the “Military
Government.”
In September 1952, the unit took part in a war game with some members placed behind
the lines while others dropped prepared (canned) leaflets and used loudspeaker appeals to
demoralize aggressor troops.
We know a little bit about what the unit did in 1953 from a Corporal assigned to the
Propaganda section. In a letter home he writes:
March 31, 1953
I just got through work a few minutes ago. The company is going to put on a
demonstration in a few weeks to show some of the other units in Germany how a
psychological warfare unit works; its purpose, etc. The demonstration is going to be
presented in the form of a recorded show as well as actual appeals by the loudspeaker team
and a leaflet will actually be dropped on the men to whom the demonstration will be
presented. Tonight I have been helping to type up copies of the script for the recorded
part of the show which one of the writers of the propaganda section is preparing. I think
that we are going to begin recording it tomorrow; I am to be one of the voices in the
thing, and I am rather anxious to see how I will sound on tape...
By 1954, the 5th L & L was a unit of experts: linguists, artists and writers who
learned how best to exploit basic emotions and hardships of soldiers. Many of them were
trained at the Psychological Warfare Center, Fort Bragg, NC where the company's commanding
officer, Capt. Fred W. Wilmot spent two years as an instructor.
The company maintained four platoons: Headquarters, Operations, Publications and
Loudspeakers. Approximately 90% mobile, the unit's mission was to support tactical troops
with psychological warfare in the field. During wartime, the company would be constantly
on the lookout for reports of bad food, poor readership, weak supply lines, inferior
weapons and physical hardships. These morale and supply problems offer PSYOP opportunity
to demoralize the enemy.
Private Len Matublewski on Loudspeaker
Private Matublewski of the 5th L&L reads a script into a loudspeaker placed far
enough away from his position not to draw enemy fire on himself.
Nine to twelve loudspeaker teams were maintained for field maneuvers. Like leaflets,
loudspeaker messages could also be white, gray or black
Planning a Campaign
There was another NATO demonstration in September, 1955. Here a group of enlisted
men pretend to be officers and plan a campaign in view of a NATO audience. Although they
wore Captain and Lieutenants rank, they are SP3 Schneider, and PFCs Khari, Kelman, Coons
and McChonarie.
The unit was reorganized and redesignated on 24 June 1961 as the 5th Psychological
Warfare Company, and on 25 June 1965 as the 5th Psychological Operations Battalion. The
Battalion was inactivated on 20 June 1975 in Germany.
U.S. Army Europe PSYOP Quarterly
In January 1966, the 5th PSYOP Battalion printed a book entitled U.S. Army Europe
PSYOP Quarterly in Boeblingen, Germany. The 31 page booklet had both modern and
historical PSYOP articles. Some of them are: VC leaflets: a crude credibility; Der Chef
dies twice (A famous mistake made by British radio propagandists); Voice of the Third
Reich (a study of German Propaganda Minister Josef Goebbels); and Surrender Leaflets of
WWII. This indicates that even though the Battalion was not involved in the shooting war
they took a great part in the Cold War against the Soviet Union and its Combloc
nations. The quarterly mentions A Company of the 5th PSYOP Battalion in some depth:
"Ready" and "Mobile" best describe A Company, 5th
Psychological Operations Battalion, Lenggries, Germany. The company is kept at constant
readiness to move-out on short notice and quickly set up loudspeaker and leaflet
operations.
The men of this psychological operations unit are airborne qualified and can
"jump" into any area where their operations are needed-if necessary behind enemy
lines. The equipment (Photo processing, printing and loudspeaker units) is light and also
air transportable. Company A has an intelligence analysis team that researches and
formulates propaganda ideas; an Artist and Writers team that writes, edits and
artistically prepares leaflet and loudspeaker broadcast texts and tapes; a loudspeaker
broadcast team that handles the actual mechanics of loudspeaker broadcasts; and a
reproduction team that prints the leaflets.
Each man in A Company wears the green beret of a Special Forces soldier. Their
unit, although an integral part of the 5th Psychological Operations Battalion, is attached
to and provides psychological operations support for 10th Special Forces Group. Home for
these men is Prinz Heinrich Kaserne, located on the side of a mountain in the northern
edge of the Bavarian Alps overlooking the Isar River and the picturesque village of
Lenggries.
There was also an article on the Propaganda Museum:
A traveling "Museum of Propaganda" is being assembled by the 5th PSYOP
Battalion. The display, mounted in several collapsible cases, will consist of instruments
and artifacts that should illustrate the high points of psychological operations during
the present century. Already a sizeable collection is on hand, including Viet Cong
leaflets and East German soccer balls.
Members of the 5th Battalion Jump over Germany
This old film prepared by the 5th PSYOP Battalion in Germany
depicts three members of the team attached to the 10th Special Force Group
infiltrating enemy territory by parachuting with an airborne PSYOP system on
their backs. As they approach the enemy, one soldier goes to the ground so
the team commander can use the microphone, loudspeaker, amplifier, and tape
system in his pack to broadcast. The other soldier turns his back to the
enemy so the loudspeakers he is carrying in his pack faces them.
PSYOP veteran
Pat Smith pointed out that there was a celebrity in this picture.
In the film,
the Tactical PSYOP Team commander that is lifting the loudspeaker flap is
First Lieutenant John Warren Pershing III, General Blackjack Pershing's
grandson. He would go on to serve as a company commander in the 5th PSYOP
Battalion, and as an ODA Commander in Vietnam. He retired as a Colonel.
Leaflets in the Air
At the same time, in an airmobile van, propaganda leaflets are
being prepared for dissemination behind enemy lines. Plates are photographed
and then engraved on an aluminum master, which will be used to print the
leaflets. This master depicts a parachutist in the air, likely threatening
the enemy with the death and destruction that parachutist will create.
The Battalion was redesignated on 30 December 1975 as the 5th Psychological
Operations Group and concurrently withdrawn from the Regular Army, allotted to the Army
Reserve, and activated at Upper Marlboro, Maryland. It was reorganized and redesignated on
18 September 1990 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Psychological Operations
Group. The Group was inactivated on 15 September 1994 at Upper Marlboro, The unit was
redesignated on 18 November 2003 as Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Company, 5th
Psychological Operations Battalion, withdrawn from the Army Reserve, and allotted to the
Regular Army with its organic elements concurrently constituted. The Battalion was
formally activated on 16 October 2004 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Prior to 2004, the 3 existing regional Battalions of the 4th Psychological
Operations Group (Airborne) had pooled their resources to cover psychological operations
responsibilities in the Pacific Command region. Eventually those resources had been formed
into a task-organized provisional unit. It had been designated in 1997 as the Pacific
Command Psychological Operations Battalion and relied heavily on assets from the 8th
Psychological Operations Battalion. This unit was inactivated with the activation of the
5th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne). At the time of its formal activation,
the 5th Psychological Operations Battalion was the sixth subordinate battalion of the 4th
Psychological Operations Group (Airborne).
PACOM Patch
On 27 October 2004 the U.S. Army issued a story entitled: “New PSYOP Battalion
Activates at Fort Bragg.” The article said in part:
Colonel Jack Summe
Colonel Jack Summe, 4th PSYOP Group Commander said:
“The Army’s newest psychological operations battalion was formally
activated during a ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C. The 5th Psychological Operations Battalion
is the latest addition to the 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), and is a
much-needed supplement to PSYOP forces engaged in the fight against terrorism. The 4th
PSYOP Group [in 2004] is the Army’s only active-duty PSYOP unit. Today
represents the culmination of a vision that began seven years ago, at that time, no one
foresaw the huge demands of the Global War on Terror on the entire PSYOP community …
and at that time the 4th PSYOP Group was organized with only five total battalions, and
only three regional battalions. After its activation, the 5th PSYOP Bn. became the sixth
subordinate battalion of the 4th POG. The battalion will assume responsibility for all
PSYOP activities in the U.S. Pacific Command, or PACOM, theater of operations, which
includes the Far East and the Pacific Rim.”
SGM Friedman (Ret.) presents an Afghan War Rug to
Major General Herb "Buzz" Altshuler at Ft. Bragg. NC
Major General Herbert L. Altshuler, commanding general of the U.S. Army Civil
Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), said that 5th PSYOP Battalion was
a critical addition to 4th POG:
“Our psychological operations capabilities reside primarily in our regional,
tactical and media development battalions. The four regional battalions of the 4th
Psychological Operations Group are each oriented to a different major geographical
combatant command. The 1st Battalion, for example, operates in Central and South America,
the 6th in Europe and Africa, and the 8th in the Middle East. And now, the 5th
Psychological Operations Battalion … (has) evolved in support of operations in the
Pacific and the Korean Peninsula as a provisional organization made up of assets drawn
from its parent headquarters and sister battalions.”
Prior to the battalion’s activation, the three existing regional battalions
pooled their resources to cover PSYOP responsibilities in the PACOM region. That
task-organized provisional unit, which was officially deactivated during the ceremony, had
been designated in 1997 as the PACOM Psychological Operations Battalion and relied heavily
on assets from the 8th Psychological Operations Battalion.
Colonel Summe added:
“Although not really adequate to provide the total depth and breadth of
PSYOP support to each region of the world, this task organization ensured that each
regional combatant command received equitable PSYOP support. The creation of PACOM PSYOP
Battalion was the right response to a world that required constant, low-level, peacetime
PSYOP engagement. But that peacetime mission ended, the instant terrorists attacked the
United States on Sept. 11, 2001. This task organization existed for almost seven years,
until the events of 9/11 forced the Department of Defense to reexamine PSYOP requirements
for the Global War on Terror. This reexamination resulted in what we are witnessing today
-- the official recognition of the 5th Psychological Operations Battalion and furthering
the increase of the overall 4th PSYOP Group force structure to include two line companies
per regional PSYOP battalion.”
MG Altshuler said the members of the new battalion would make an immediate and
positive impact on U.S. PSYOP activities and force structures around the world:
“These bright, motivated and talented Soldiers have already made the 5th
PSYOP Battalion an indispensable member of the PACOM team. Today, we have made it an
organic part of our larger PSYOP family.”
Shortly before the deactivation of the PACOM Bn. during the ceremony, the unit
was presented with the Army Superior Unit Award for its role in the recent successes of
PSYOP in the PACOM region, according to the citation.
Lieutenant Colonel Kyle D. Hickman (left), commander of the 5th PSYOP Battalion,
receives his unit's colors from Colonel Jack Summe, 4th PSYOP Group commander, during the
battalion's activation ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Lieutenant Colonel Kyle D. Hickman, commander of 5th PSYOP Battalion and former top
officer of the PACOM Battalion, said he and his troops were ready to get to work:
“To the Soldiers of the 5th Psychological Operations Battalion, you look
magnificent, and our future is bright. Together, we will continue the fine traditions of
those that came before us and prepare ourselves to accomplish any challenge that our
nation requires of us.”
Colonel Summe said the years of hard work put into standing up the PACOM PSYOP
Battalion would not be lost in the expansion of the unit’s duties as the 5th PSYOP
Battalion:
“In the year since Lieutenant Colonel Kyle Hickman has been in command of the
PACOM PSYOP Battalion, we have witnessed a shift in responsibility from simply providing
PSYOP exercise support in the Pacific to becoming a vital and active part of the fight
against global terrorism in the PACOM region of the world. Our job in influencing foreign
audiences to support U.S. government objectives has been nurtured with great skill and
expertise in the PACOM PSYOP Battalion, and I expect no less from Lieutenant Colonel
Hickman and the fine Soldiers and civilians of the newly organized 5th Psychological
Operations Battalion.”
With the activation of the Military Information Support Operations Command
(Airborne) (Provisional) and the 8th Military Information Support Operations Group
(Airborne) (Provisional) in August 2011, the 5th Military Information Operations Support
Battalion (Airborne) was reassigned to the latter from the 4th Military Information
Support Operations Group (Airborne). In 2017 the name was officially changed to the 5th
PSYOP Battalion.
Today the 5th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne) has responsibility for
all psychological operations activities in the US Pacific Command (PACOM) Theater of
Operations, which includes the Far East and the Pacific Rim.
Panzer Kaserne
The Leaflets
In July 2012, I heard from former Private First Class Leonard Mather who said:
I was assigned to the 5th Loudspeaker and leaflet Company in 1954 because of an
undergraduate degree in Psychology. Captain Fred C. Wilmott was our Commander and second
in command was Lieutenant St. Marie. We operated out of Field Marshall Irwin Rommel's old
WWII quarters on the Panzer Kaserne located in Boeblingen, Germany, part of the Stuttgart
community. We did a lot of PSYOP, and dealt with a lot of displaced persons from Poland,
Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Greece and other nations where the Communists were either in
power or trying to gain power. My nations of interest were Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
My languages were French and Polish.
After the end of the Korean War the 5th L&L did change radically from what
they had done from 1951 to 1953. We had PSYOP teams. My Military Occupational Specialty
was 1620. I was an Intelligence-Analyst-Linguist; a jeep driver; a writer (for pamphlets);
and a photographer/printer who designed the pamphlet. The writer and I would come up with
the text. The mobile unit would make the leaflet. These could be air dropped or broadcast.
All this occurred during maneuvers and war games. I was often tasked with greeting the
NATO officers from France. After leaving the army I pursued my Masters and Doctorate in
psychology.
WARNING
This war game leaflet is designed to frighten the enemy by telling them of the
deadly Kreuzotter snake. The adder (Vipera berus) is a medium-sized poisonous snake from
the family of vipers. This same theme was also used by propaganda troops at Ft. Bragg who
prepared leaflets warning the enemy of North Carolina’s deadly snakes.
Meet “Combine Connie”…
This is a war game “radio” leaflet and lists five different propaganda
stations on the back where you can hear Connie’s seditious messages. Combine Connie
was Dorothea Kovelas who broadcast on American Forces Network Europe. She asked the men to
visit “Connie’s Inn,” because she hated maneuvers but loved soldiers.
Exercise Combine was held a number of times after WWII. It was an aggressive
maneuver where in 1951 most of the American troops in Germany, about 160,000 strong, took
part. The Seventh Army tested the defense of the dangerous 85-mile front where the border
of the Soviet zone swings west toward Frankfurt. In the early morning, armored combat
teams of the crack American Constabulary thrust westward in a surprise attack. Paratroops
dropped near Frankenthal to secure a Rhine bridgehead and partisan guerrillas closed in
near Kaiserlautern and "destroyed" a supply dump.
I am worried about you
The PSYOP units in Germany sometimes made German-language training leaflets. This
one shows a lovely woman thinking of her sweetheart and the text:
I am worried about you.
Please, be careful!
Donīt be a stupid hero!
Stupid heroes die young.
I want to have you healthy and alive.
Please, be careful, when they send you in the battle
A Russian-language War Game leaflet
This training leaflet depicts a sad young Russian girl talking to her soldier on the
telephone. He is away at war and she is alone. The text on the front is:
Natasha is calling in vain
The back is all text:
Soviet soldier
How often do you hear from your family?
Are you sure that everything is in order with your family and with your friends?
Do you see them?
Do you trust your leaders?
In the past 5 decades this unit has appeared, disappeared, and appeared again. The
Company was re-designated on 24 June 1961 as the 5th PSYWAR Company, and on 25 June 1965
as the 5th PSYOP Battalion. The Battalion was inactivated on 20 June 1975 in Germany, then
re-designated on 30 December 1975 as the 5th PSYOP Group and allotted to the Army Reserve.
It was re-designated on 18 September 1990 as Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 5th
PSYOP Group. The Group was deactivated on 15 September 1994, then re-designated on 18
November 2003 as Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Company, 5th PSYOP Battalion, and
allotted to the Regular Army. The battalion was formally activated on 16 October 2004 at
Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Training
5th PSYOP Battalion at “Flintlock 5” - September 1972
Flintlock is an annual regional exercise among African, allied and U.S.
counterterrorism forces that has taken place since 2005. Flintlock is directed by the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and sponsored by U.S. Africa Command.
Occurring in nations across the Sahel region of Africa, the exercise develops
capacity and collaboration among African security forces to protect civilian populations.
Flintlock participation has included ground and air forces from over 16 countries across a
broad spectrum of operations. Exercise Flintlock is designed to foster regional
cooperation to enable our African partners to stabilize regions of North and West Africa,
while reducing sanctuary and support for violent extremist organizations.
Past participants include Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco,
Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Canada, Tunisia, Italy, France, Germany, The
Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Philippines
PSYOP Soldiers in the Philippines
Jonathan T. Harris wrote a paper titled Operation Ultimatum
about the actions of the 5th PSYOP Battalion in the Philippines. Some of his
comments were (edited for brevity):
One of their activities was Operation Ultimatum in 2006 to advise
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in removing the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
from Jolo, Sulu, located in the Southernmost part of the Philippines.
Operation Ultimatum was a series of operations lasting between August 2006
to October 2007. The 5th Psychological Operations Battalion was an integral
unit in the success of Operation Ultimatum, most evident through the Abu
Solaiman Operations and Department of Defense Rewards Program. The ASG aimed
to promote an independent Islamic state in the Southern Philippines. Their
manpower is between two hundred to five hundred fighters; they engage in
kidnappings, bombings, beheadings, assassinations, and extortion.
Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines - PowerPoint
The AFP and Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines
(herein referred to as "Allies") had early successes, which resulted in the
ASG fleeing to safer territory in the Sulu Archipelago. The Allies
considered the risks and adjusted to them when they expanded their
operations to include Sulu. Their objectives were to deny insurgents and the
terrorist sanctuary; restrict insurgent and terrorist mobility; deny
insurgent and terrorist access to resources and separate the population from
the insurgent and terrorist. in February 2006, 250 US soldiers arrived in
Jolo for joint exercises. They remained afterward and began conducting Civil
Military Operations to gain trust. The activities included building
deep-water wells, roads, schools, medical civic action programs, and dental
civic action programs. First, they planned to separate the people from the
terrorists by highlighting terrorist brutality against the people. Then they
planned to separate the population from the insurgents by advertising the
improved socio-economic conditions.
On August 1, 2006, Operation Ultimatum began with a synchronized
amphibious landing alongside prepositioned ground forces. Throughout
Operation Ultimatum, the Allies developed a rapport with journalists by
directing them to the Allies commander. They encouraged journalists to
contact them for explanations on developing situations. That process allowed
the Allies to control the narrative and provide quick, accurate information.
The Department of Defense Rewards Program was one of the most effective
tools utilized by Allies. However, early on, the citizens of Sulu did not
trust the Allies to reach out. Due to that, they provided money for simple
tasks, such as returning unmanned aerial vehicles. However, over time as
they began to win the support of the civilians, they offered more valuable
intelligence.
The 5th POB is a regionally oriented Psychological Operations unit.
They possess' area-specific knowledge language skills and can shape the
environment through PSYOP activities. Thus, they were necessary to support
information operations. In addition, they provided services to improve the
population's perceptions of the Philippines government and enhance support
for the rule of law. Their activities included publicizing Allies Civil
Military Operations; driving wedges between the people and ASG through
information operations; advertising and facilitating the Rewards for Justice
program; and helping the Philippines convey the harm caused by ASG.
Philippine children with a "Call for Peace" backpack
In 2009, the 4th PSYOP Group showed off their unique talents and skills to the Fort
Bragg community at their annual Regimental Week open house and technology demonstration.
Michelle Butzgy discussed the various PSYOP Battalions in an 11 June Paraglide
article entitled: “Fort Bragg Soldiers work at winning hearts and minds around the
world.” She pointed out that the 5th PSYOP Battalion often thinks outside the box.
Hats and mouse pads help spread the target message, according to Captain Adria Horn of the
5th PSYOP Battalion. Her area of operation is Pacific Command, from India to Korea. Her
country is the Philippines:
These are used to fill a need or a void. For example, mouse pads in Internet
cafes repeat the message ‘Improvised Explosive Devices kills.' We know that
repetition has a positive influence. The battalion also produces and uses comic books
aimed at certain age groups. If they can, they outsource the work. A PSYOPS team can also
use the love of sports and music to spread their target message.
The mission of the Joint Task Force in the Philippines is to support the
comprehensive approach of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in their fight against
terrorism in the southern Philippines. At the request of the Government of the
Philippines, JSOTF-P works alongside the AFP to defeat terrorists and create the
conditions necessary for peace, stability and prosperity.
PSYOPS plays an integral military role in The Philippines Government's hold on law
and order and promotion of democracy. The country has had numerous military coups and is
beset with internal conflicts, convoluted social make-up and corruption. The Government is
currently fighting Communist rebels and is heavily involved in actions against Muslim
secessionists in its Southern States, notably Muslim Mindanao. The Philippines are a prt
of the War on Terrorism, and has allowed co-operation with US Forces in matters relating
to PSYOPS and Civil Military Operations.
PSYOP Troops often prepare comic and coloring books for Children
The website Strategy Post mention PSYOP in the Philippines in an article
entitled: Information Warfare: Post-Modern PSYOP In the Philippines. It says that
psychological operations are enjoying some success in the southern Philippines. The first
target of the American Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) was the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The Americans convinced the Filipinos to stop
kicking down doors and treating scared villagers like a bunch of terrorists.
Reward Poster for Abdul Basit Usman
The second mission two is to weaken the three anti-government groups in the
Philippine Islands, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Abu Sayyaf, and the Communist New
People’s Army. The new more respectful treatment of the people has created an
environment where they are more willing to cooperate with the government. Money is the
prime motivator through a variety of rewards programs. Methods can be simple. Boys
remembering a poster pointed out IEDs targeting a joint American/Filipino convoy to
authorities for a $4,000 reward. The program has given away about $100,000 year to date.
The task force is working to get not only the right message, but the right medium.
The Internet does not work here, people are too poor. Television also is ineffective due
to the lack of electrical power. Radio works here, but only if you use local talent. Cell
phone texting also works here for now. But this is a “dynamic” environment and
those who do not constantly look for the right medium and message will find their efforts
unheeded.
Information support has its limits, particularly among the rank and file of the
insurgent and terrorist groups. The matrices are mixed, attacks are down, but their
membership is up. It is recognized that even the best information support and civil
actions will only deal with 80 percent of the war and that 20 percent lethal action will
be required to deal with the rest.
Filipino Soldier places Reward Poster on a Wall
U.S. Special Operations Forces in the Philippines 2001-2014 adds:
PSYOP, though not conducted initially, were eventually employed. Military
information support teams (MISTs) provided a range of services aimed at improving the
target population’s perceptions of the Government of the Philippines legitimacy and
enhancing support for the rule of law. Activities included publicizing the Armed Forces of
the Philippines Civil-Military Operations School, advertising and facilitating the Rewards
for Justice Program and helping the Government convey the harm caused by transnational
terrorist organizations.
The Abu Solaiman Operation
The death of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Abu Solaiman (his real name was Jainal
Antel Sali, Jr.), marked not only the significant degradation of ASG leadership but also
the adoption of numerous operational approaches that JSOTF-P had been seeking to impart to
its partners. The development of a supportive population, intelligence collection, and the
implementation of a law enforcement–based plan to capture him were all new elements
of the AFP approach to counter terrorism. In March 2006, the ASG bombed a food co-op in
Jolo City that resulted in the deaths of five Muslim citizens.
The PSYOP troops used it to drive a wedge between the Abu Sayyaf and the population
to enable effective targeting. The wife of one mid-level ASG member disapproved of her
husband’s activities and membership in the group and complained that the Abu Sayyaf
was not even feeding their family. She was instrumental in convincing her husband to turn
against the ASG, at least partly to claim the $5 million reward for information leading to
the capture or killing of Abu Solaiman as part of the United States’ Rewards for
Justice program. According to the JSOTF-P commander at the time, the woman brought her
husband leaflets touting a reward for Abu Solaiman, which had been produced jointly by
U.S. and Philippine PSYOP teams expressly for this purpose.
Staff Sgt. Roberto Flores receives the Army Commendation Medal from Secretary of
Defense Robert Gates. Flores is a Psychological Operations non-commissioned officer
assigned to the 5th PSYOP Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C. He and four other Soldiers were
driving back to their base on Basilan Island when they drove by a truck that had crashed
into a tree. Flores said:
We spotted an older man on the side of the road flagging us down and holding a
sixteen-year-old boy that had clearly just suffered a major head injury. He was bleeding
profusely from his face and head. We stopped and immediately everybody began to react. We
had no medic with us, so it was up to our combat life saver training, and first aid
training.
The group of Soldiers pulled three other injured Filipinos out of the wrecked truck.
Staff Sergeant Flores understands and speaks Tagalog. He was able to understand when
someone in the crowd pointed out a doctor. It would take 20 minutes to get to the Basilan
Regional Hospital. The doctor, whose vehicle was equipped with a siren, led the way. Staff
Sergeant Flores sat in the passenger seat of the truck carrying the two critically injured
males. He award certificate said:
If not for the first aide and quick action on the parts of [the team members],
it is likely that the 65-year-old male would not have survived the accident. Their efforts
have been directly attributed to the saving of his life.
Flores is a member of a Tactical PSYOP Detachment. His team is working with the armed
forces of the Philippines on Basilan to help them improve their own PSYOP capabilities.
Change of Command Ceremony of the 5th PSYOP Battalion
I like to think that I have a special relationship with the 5th
PSYOP Battalion since I aided them with their own lineage in 2014, and again
in 2021 when I helped them investigate their history in greater depth for a
better understanding of their past. Above, I show a copy of their 28 July
2021, A Company, 5th PSYOP Battalion, Change
of Command Ceremony, where Major Thomas L. Spence replaced Major Steven J.
De Jesus. I added the pages above because the first celebrates the legacy of
one of the giants of PSYOP, Colonel Edward Lansdale, who acted as an advisor
in both the Philippines and Vietnam. One of his most famous operations was
when he convinced a band of Communist HUK guerrillas that there was a
vampire in their area which made them flee to safer ground.
Alpha Company, 5th PSYOP Battalion Challenge Coin
Gift of Major Steven J. De Jesus
My friend John Chaney sent me this image of the patch worn by the current
Alpha Company, 5th PSYOP Battalion information support activities in The
Philippines. ASWANG is an umbrella term for various shape-shifting evil
creatures in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera
suckers, and other beasts. The aswang was the most feared among the mythical
creatures of the Philippines as their behavior can be interpreted as an
inversion of the traditional Filipino's values. The aswang is especially
popular in southern parts of Luzon, and some parts of Mindanao and Visayas,
especially the Visayan province of Capiz.
Ceremonies and Demonstrations
A psychological operations specialist from the 5th PSYOP Battalion discusses the
unit’s history and shows off some products to a guest of the unit’s Lineage and
Honors Ceremony on 3 March 2015, at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in
Fayetteville, N.C. The ceremony celebrates the constitution of the 5th Loudspeaker and
Leaflet Company and pays tribute to all past, present and future Soldiers of 5th PSYOP
Battalion. (Photo by Staff Sergeant Todd Pouliot).
The 5th PSYOP Battalion – Ft. Bragg NC – 24 July 2015
A Change of Command Ceremony for the 8th PSYOP Group
This has been a short look at the 5th PSYOP Battalion. Readers with comments or
additional information are requested to write to the author at Sgmbert@hotmail.com.
