What U.S. teams support a Foreign Military Sales purchaser in country?

Often, when the USG provides new equipment to a country, there is a need for technical assistance and training. Whenever there is a new Presidential determination that a country is eligible for U.S. SA/SC, the country will often require help to interface with the U.S. logistics system. Various teams sent to the country from the U.S. often provide this technical assistance and training. To ensure that all aspects of the SA/SC mission are integrated into an overall effective program, all such teams are under the supervision of the overseas SCO while they are in the international partner’s nation.

The use of these teams is an integral part of the TPA, providing both initial and follow-on support for the country. The following is a brief discussion of the general types of teams that may be provided.

Quality assurance teams (QATs) are often provided whenever a new item of military equipment is transferred to an international partner. The mission of the QAT is to receive, inspect, and prepare the U.S. equipment for initial operation. They are not a training team. The QAT is assigned to make sure that the equipment has not been damaged during transit and, if it has, to repair the equipment and ensure that it is operational when provided to the purchasing country. QATs are usually very small teams temporarily assigned in country; they perform their mission and leave the country promptly, thereby minimizing the cost to the international partner.

Technical assistance teams (TATs) are DoW and/or contractor personnel temporarily assigned in-country to maintain or repair equipment provided under an FMS program. These teams can also be used to set up and place into operation such things as repair parts warehouses, personnel records systems, and technical libraries. TATs are often used when a country finds itself having problems in maintaining U.S. equipment or interfacing with U.S.-management techniques. The primary purpose of a TAT does not normally include training, although some degree of training will be provided by virtue of the team performing their mission.

Extended training service specialists (ETSS) are DoW personnel (military or civilian) who are technically qualified to provide advice, instruction, and training in the installation, operation, and maintenance of weapons, equipment, and systems. These are the long-term training teams utilized for in-country training of foreign military personnel. English language instructors are an example of ETSS.

Contract field services (CFS) are furnished by DoW contract with U.S. industry to provide advice, instruction, and training in the installation, operation, and maintenance of weapons, equipment, and systems. CFS will be used only when DoW personnel with the required skills are not available or it is not practical to use them. CFS may be funded under IMET with DSCA approval.

Technical assistance field teams (TAFTs) are DoW and/or contractor personnel permanently assigned in country who are used to provide in-country technical support to foreign personnel on specific equipment, technology, weapons, and supporting systems when Mobile Training Teams (MTTs) and ETSS are not appropriate. TAFTs are often the bridge between purely technical assistance and pure training. TAFT members are technical experts in their fields and often provide formal and informal training to their counterparts as part of their primary mission of ensuring the continued operation of the equipment or support system. TAFTs are often used to set up operational maintenance and supply systems that will interface effectively with continental U.S. (CONUS) activities. In this sense, TAFT members are both doers and trainers. TAFTs set up and operate the systems, but they also train their counterparts to assume full operational control as quickly as possible.