IWTSD Subgroups
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Purpose of the Subgroups

The mission of the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) is to identify, prioritize, and coordinate interagency and international research and development (R&D) requirements for irregular warfare. Through the Department of Defense's Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate and funding provided by other agencies, the TSWG rapidly develops technologies and equipment to meet the high-priority needs of the irregular warfare community, and addresses joint international operational requirements through cooperative R&D with major allies.

IWTSD Subgroups


History and Organization

In April 1982, the National Security Decision Directive 30 assigned responsibility for the development of an overall United States policy on terrorism to the Interdepartmental Group on Terrorism (IG/T), chaired by the Department of State. TSWG was an original subgroup of the IG/T, which later became the Interagency Working Group on Counterterrorism (IWG/CT). In its February 1986 report, a Cabinet-level Task Force on Counterterrorism, led by then Vice President Bush, cited TSWG as assuring, "the development of appropriate counterterrorism technological efforts."

 

TSWG's 10 subgroups are chaired by senior representatives from DoD, other federal agencies, and national organizations with special expertise in those functional areas.