A SOT-A (Special Operations Team-Alpha) is a signals intelligence–electronic warfare (SIGINT-EW) element of the United States Army Special Forces. They are low-level SIGINT collection teams that intercept and report operational and technical information derived from tactical threat communications through prescribed communications paths. The mission of a SOT-A is to conduct SIGINT/EW in support of information operations (unilaterally or in conjunction with other Special Operations Forces (SOF) elements) to support existing and emerging SOF missions worldwide. SOT-A's are the direct descendants of the Army Security Agency's Special Operations Detachments (USASASODs). Capabilities SOT-As can detect, monitor, and exploit threat communications through communications transmission intercept and direction finding. SOT-As also can deploy with Special Forces Operational Detachments-A (SFODAs or A-teams) to provide SIGINT support for contingency, direct action, force protection, or MTT support. These functions may require SOT-As to: Deploy with a SFODA. Deploy independently and then join a deployed SFODA. Operate independently or with other SOT-As. Operate and train on advanced collection equipment provided by national intelligence agencies. Insertion/Extraction Techniques Patrolling Helicopter Touchdown, Helocast Personnel Small Boat Rappel Fast Rope Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction (SPIE) Parachute Static-Line SOT-A team members can operate in remote and denied areas. In addition to their linguistic and SIGINT skills, SOT-As are trained in tactical and fieldcraft techniques. SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) Foreign languages Arabic Chinese Farsi French Indonesian Korean Russian Spanish Thai Tagalog Morse Code intercept (>20 GPM) Analysis and reporting Advanced training Advanced training may include: Survival Evasion Resistance Escape Ranger School Mountain Survival Course/Mountain Leader Course Jumpmaster Army Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course Army Combat Diver Qualification Course Military Free-Fall Parachutist Course Organization According to a 2001 field manual, there is one SIGINT section with six SOT-A per each Special Forces Group. A SOT-A team consists of four members. References United States Army Special Operations Command