Adm.: "Pent-up" demand for special forces

WASHINGTON — The top commander of the U.S. military's elite forces is warning Congress that deep budget cuts across the military services will hurt special operations and make it difficult to meet the pent-up demand for his units, including in places like the Pacific and South America.

Adm. William McRaven, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, says aircraft and forces had to be shifted from other parts of the world to meet war demands over the last decade.

He says that as the Iraq and Afghanistan wars wind down, he must refocus efforts in other parts of the world and give his regional commands the ability to better handle local issues.

McRaven says special operations forces in the Pacific and South America need additional intelligence and surveillance capabilities.

CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reported earlier that McRaven was in charge of the mission that killed Osama bin Laden. His identity has thus far been the lowest-ranking one associated with the mission and its success, something that isn't likely to change given the Navy SEALs' reputation as "the quiet professionals."

In June, McRaven said in testimony before Congress that the escalating demands on U.S. special operations forces are hampering their training and could slowly eat away at their combat readiness.

McRaven said demand for the elite forces around the world continues to grow, so there often isn't enough time to train between deployments. And he said the helicopters and other equipment they need are not available to units in the United States who are preparing to deploy.

Special operations forces "cannot indefinitely sustain current levels of overseas presence," said McRaven, who has been nominated to replace Adm. Eric Olson as commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. "The resulting pressure on the force and our families is too great, and the pressure is creating a dramatic effect on our readiness."

He said the short breaks between deployments limit training in key language skills and the regional and cultural expertise that enable the commandos to work well in other countries. And he noted that most of the helicopters needed for training are either at the warfront or in maintenance, making it difficult for aircrews to hone their skills.

In the same appearance on Capitol Hill, however, McRaven told lawmakers that a small U.S. commando force should remain in Iraq after the end of the year, when all American troops are scheduled to leave.