Most ISA trainees are from Army Special Forces, meaning many have skills in CQC, sniping, counter-sniping and general tactical engagements. In 2003 four troops: A,B,C, and D made up the squadron. Intelligence organizations should create cross-functional teams to better integrate intelligence functions and direct greater attention to the IE. This has been more visible in their operations in Afghanistan, Operation Winter Harvest and Operation Queens Hunter. The ISA's HUMINT collectors gather information from human sources via coercion and interrogation depending on the asset. Operation Anaconda highlights how vital of a role the ISA plays in the battlespace. What are the barriers or challenges to doing so? Where is the boundary between routine information gathering and formal intelligence? The exact makeup of ISAs force structure is hard to determine. [15][16] Colonel Jerry King became the ISA's first commander. Both information operations (IO) and intelligence have long been core components of U.S. military operations, and information is the essence of both communities. For the four main battalions, numbering in total over 300 operators, there are different roles members could fall into. Like all units, the Intelligence Support Activity contains operational detachments as well as support detachments such as intelligence analysis, medical, logistics. [6], The unit is known by many names. It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. 122 . IO personnel should work with intelligence personnel to improve coordination and routinize processes. Potential solutions require improving processes, prioritizing OIE, expanding training and education opportunities, and allocating personnel to optimize support for OIE. . intelligence support. [15], The ISA conducted various missions, including giving protection to the Lebanese leader Bachir Gemayel and attempting to buy a Soviet T-72 tank from Iraq (a deal that was finally stopped by the Iraqis). There's a lot of fascinating special operation history in the Netflix thriller "Lou," but going into details would reveal Jason McCarthy of goruck.com and Stew Smith discuss his journey to, through, and after Army Special Forces and being Members of Ukraine's Special Forces unit held military training for Mariupol residents on Sunday to teach them self-defence in Copyright 2023 Military.com. Its worth noting that Bravo troop was never compromised while conducting espionage against the Assad regime in Syria. You respond to one of the recruitment opportunities that pop up a few times a year from one of the units that performs these types of selections. To achieve mission needs and priorities the OEE must be able to provide all support and sustainment activities areas of resource. . Contents hide 1 Capabilities 2 Selection and training 3 History and engagement Capabilities The unit HQ is at Pope Field, North Carolina. tactical _____, despite being an evolving concept, supports tactical action, including counterinsurgency, G-2 TRADOCs OE estimate provides discussion of near-term elements while our. The unit conducts close survelliance with cameras, even going as far as covertly entering terrorists safe houses and planting hidden cameras. Intelligence Support Battalion LEADERSHIP. The ISA collects specific target intelligence prior to SMU missions, and provides signals support, etc. [citation needed]. More aircraft were deployed, and eventually included eavesdropping on Honduran guerrillas too, as well as Nicaraguan Army units fighting against the Contras. Highlights include one year as the G-2 of Task Force Eagle in Bosnia where he provided multi- disciplined intelligence support to high visibility peace enforcement operations in the Balkans and as the G-2 of Task . The unit would be immediately deployed to any country where a terrorist act against the United States had taken place, and would start providing critical intelligence, as well as setting up landing zones and . These techniques include intelligence gathering, infiltration and intelligence support. (Source) Sending agents that not only act, but look like the people of the country they seek to infiltrate makes for an even more effective cover. IO organizations should promote greater understanding and awareness of OIE and the importance of information-intelligence capability integration, particularly among intelligence personnel and commanders. The work accomplished by the FOG was successful, however the second attempt (called Operation Credible Sport) never took place because the air assets needed were not available.[11][14]. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- Leaders from the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) G-6/Ground Intelligence Support Activity (GISA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACoE). In line with their proficiency in infiltration, they had an array of passports, credit cards and falsified documents to allow easy movement between territories. [11] The current organization of ISA is classified but does contain at least three squadrons (Operations, SIGINT and Mission Support/Communications). Intelligence assets are rarely sufficient to satisfy every requirement. The search for General Dozier saw a massive deployment of Italian and U.S. forces, including thousands of Italian national police, the Carabinieri. FOG became permanent and renamed ISA on March 3, 1981. The ISAs execution of SIGINT monitoring was so successful that the month-long operation was extended to three years. Such as procuring equipment, getting funding for operations/training, and human resources functions. However, the CIA couldnt provide these answers so Delta turned to the FOG. Gaining entry into the ISA is not easy; candidates already must be part of a special operations forces group. One such organization, the Red Brigades, composed of far-left communist-leaning extremists, kidnapped U.S. Brigadier General James Dozier. Special Recon, Direct Action. Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. More technical training on SIGINT, such as transmission and signals interpretation is also a component of the training. Intelligence oversight is a way to ensure that the IC works with the law and balances collecting essential information and protecting individuals' interests and privacy. The fleet was comprised of 15 different types of aircraft for a combined total of 40 aircraft, all decked out with SIGINT interception technology. Traditions (religious, political, societal). As a result, intelligence organizations do not understand intelligence needs for OIE or routinely provide OIE-specific intelligence products, and related requests for intelligence support are not prioritized. (Source). The commander provides this focus through the articulation of the To set up this activity, make a bulletin board or display in a wing of your office, or launch an online gallery on a platform such as Slack, social media, Imgur, or the iCloud. From 5 miles away and 4,575m above the ground, operatives could target insurgents communications via cellphone. Not only did this demonstrate that the ISA was functionally effective, it showed that it could operate alongside not only various elements of the US military, but foreign military elements as well. Terrorist Threat in Guinea: A 12-Month Forecast, Sahel Security 2023: African Union Forecast, 7.3. Even when there is an understanding and awareness of these communities' respective roles and responsibilities, commanders and staffs often do not fully consider and integrate information activities, capabilities, and operations as components of all military activities and operations. It must also be digitized so that it is readily discoverable, retrievable, and usable by our many users. programs offered at an independent public policy research organizationthe RAND Corporation. The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include: HUMINT (HUMan INTellgence) Within these battalions, there is a cyber ops teams, technology ops teams and mission support teams. Saddam Hussein was eventually captured during Operation Red Dawn. Intelligence Support Activity A Complete Guide - 2020 Edition Paperback - March 15, 2021 by Gerardus Blokdyk (Author) See all formats and editions Kindle $76.99 Read with Our Free App Paperback $83.27 1 New from $83.27 What are your Intelligence Support Activity processes? Little is known about the organization or its activities, but it is clear that they serve as a military intelligence unit and have partaken in numerous missions around the globe. Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service. The debris revealed a spider hole and as an operator prepared a grenade, Saddam poked his head out of the hole. Go to Change area in the lower-left corner of the page, and select Sales Insights settings. Intelligence support to sustainment does not "conduct lethal targeting, nor do they own any organic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets." [9] Additionally, they are not responsible for securing computer networks from cyber-attack, negating the impact of enemy counterspace systems, or countering adversary EW. James M. Lose, USMC Introduction In the early and mid-1990s, even as the US Department of Defense worked to reduce its Cold War-size budgets, it found its military forces becoming embroiled in numerous "low-intensity conflicts" around the world. The eventual shootout that ended Pablos life may not have directly involved the ISA, however, its efforts certainly aided in the eventual locating and killing of the cartel boss. The ISA remained extremely secret; all of its records were classified under a Special Access Program initially named OPTIMIZE TALENT. U.S. Army Medical Department International Programs and Global Health Engagement, page 42 Table 6-28: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Interagency and International Services, . The unit selects operatives for deployments based on their language proficiency and their ability to blend in with the locals. This was detailed in two books, "BOHICA" by Scott Barnes an ISA operative on this mission and "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" by Monika Jensen-Stevenson and William Stevenson both detailed the covert mission of Operation Grand Eagle. Under the umbrella group of Joint Special Operations Task Force 20, the Intelligence Support Activity helped track down and locate Saddam Hussein. However, through OSINT collection we know that there are three primary squadrons: Sometimes referred to as HUMINT or Ground squadron, Operations Squadron functions as ISAs HUMINT collection squadron. At one point during the Global War on Terror, ISA along with a component from the Airforce and Delta began to build a fleet of ISR aircraft. They also have direct action elements within their battalions, alongside specialists in HUMINT and SIGINT. 82K views 1 year ago The Army's Intelligence Support Activity is now the most REQUESTED video I have! (Source). I am currently an Engagement Manager employed with Downer Professional Services, achieving the advancement of Capability Development within the Department of Defence. The Italian police and intelligence agencies have never officially disclosed how they located General Dozier in late January 1982. [11], In early 1982, the ISA was needed to support a SIGINT mission in El Salvador, a mission that the CIA, the NSA, and INSCOM were not able to accomplish. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2020. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR3161.html. TRADOC G-2 supports the Armys Combat Training Centers, deployed forces, all of the Armys educational institutions and capability development activities. The Intelligence Support Activitys operations in El Salvador, under Operation Queens Hunter, demonstrated the effectiveness of the newly founded squadrons mastery of SIGINT and cross-departmental cooperation. The claymore is a greatsword originating from the Scottish Highlands, and the belt surrounding the badge is seen on Scottish clan badges (the belt signifies that the wearer is a member rather than the chief of the clan - the chief wears the badge without a belt surround). In 2003, the Intelligence Support Activity was transferred from the Army INSCOM to Joint Special Operations Command, where it was renamed the Mission Support Activity. There are also teams within the ISA who can conduct direct action missions should the need arise. (Source). Members of FOG infiltrated Nicaragua using false passports. One approach is to assign IO liaison officers to intelligence organizations. 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The current badge depicts an American bald eagle grasping a claymore, surrounded by a kilt belt, inscribed with the Latin phrase "Veritas Omnia Vincula Vincit" ("Truth Overcomes All Bonds"). So, on 3 March 1981, the FOG was established as a permanent unit and renamed US Army Intelligence Support Activity (USAISA). The ISAs HUMINT collectors gather information from human sources via coercion and interrogation depending on the asset. Get the weekly email from Grey Dynamics that makes reading intel articles and reports actually enjoyable. The third known squadron is the Mission Support Squadron. When conducting more integrated operations with other parts of the military, the skill of intelligence support comes into play. Infiltration relies much less on stealthy engagement, and much more on subtlety and effective tradecraft. These missions include finding Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, locating Army Gen. James Dozier when he was kidnapped by the Red Brigade in 1981 and taking out observation points in Afghanistan to protect friendly forces in the area. Additionally, ISA operates a number of fixed and rotary wing aircraft and these pilots fit somewhere into the puzzle that is ISA. What distinguishes them is how each community compiles, sorts, analyzes, and uses information. Biography. [12][13], The Field Operations Group was under command of Colonel Jerry King and operated in Iran, accomplishing various covert intelligence-gathering missions. Gaps in understanding, including the lack of a shared lexicon, impede close coordination between the intelligence and IO communities, risking missed opportunities and reduced effectiveness. In the Email engagement (standard) section, select Grant Permissions. . Intelligence leadership should assign primary responsibility for analysis of the IE to a single organization, which would establish a foundation for institutionalizing capability integration and raise awareness of the associated challenges. Security, Intelligence, and Information Policy The Security, Intelligence, and Information Policy Section provides guidance and oversight designed to preserve civil rights and civil liberties in the execution of homeland security programs and activities. In 2009, the unit was referred to as INTREPID SPEAR, until this was revealed to have been leaked in an email to the Pentagon. PLA Engagement with Latin America in Support of PRC Strategic Objectives. Memorandum for Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, by Lt. Gen. Philip C. Gast, Memorandum to the Deputy Under Secretary for Policy, by, Charter of U.S. Army Intelligence Support Activity, circa mid-1983, After Action Report for Operation CANVAS SHIELD, by 902nd Military Intelligence Group, 30 July 1985, Brief History of Unit (ISA), circa mid-1986 (presumed), United States Army Intelligence Support Activity 1986 Historical Report, United States Army Intelligence Support Activity 1987 Historical Report, Termination of USAISA and "GRANTOR SHADOW", by Commander, USAISA, 31 March 1989, Update - now 1st Capabilities Integration Group, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 04:50. The army once maintained the ISA, but after the September 11 attacks, the Pentagon shifted direct control to Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, NC. Like many special operations groups, their active arsenal is not likely a small rigid loadout, it is a range of various weapons that are available to suit the units needs. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. (Source). This report is part of the RAND Corporation Research report series. Little is known about the organization or its activities, but it is clear that. These members function as case officers. The trials of the ISA in Queens Hunter were not the only time the team was tested in South America. Under the guiding hand of JSOC, the ISA operated alongside other JSOC and CIA elements, under the codename Gray Fox. Prior to Saddams capture, over 40 members of his family were captured and interrogated to determine his whereabouts with little success. The United States Army Intelligence Support Activity (USAISA), frequently shortened to Intelligence Support Activity (ISA), also known at various times as Joint Reconnaissance Evaluation Group (JREG), Mission Support Activity (MSA), Office of Military Support (OMS), Field Operations Group (FOG), Studies and Analysis Activity (SAA), Tactical Afghanistan: The Fox and The Anaconda. Once admitted, candidates must pass the operations training course, which teaches infiltration techniques, advanced air operations, offensive and off-road driving, personal defensive measures and communications. Support for OIE is often sidelined by other intelligence priorities, partly as a result of shortfalls in how IO staffs request intelligence support and partly due to the relatively low priority of IE- and OIE-related support within intelligence organizations. 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