To achieve mission needs and priorities the OEE must be able to provide all support and sustainment activities areas of resource. Gaps in understanding of each community's roles, responsibilities, and processes have important implications for operations in the information environment (OIE), which require a significant degree of coordination between the personnel who provide intelligence support to these operations and the personnel who are responsible for planning and conducting them. Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. Who could collect the needed information and conduct the required analyses, and through what processes? As with any clandestine unit, only so much can be known about any of the JSOC special mission units. Intelligence Support Activity - Operations The ISA has been at the forefront (although very much in the background) of most of America's special operations since the early 80s. Alpha and Charlie troops utilize official cover to collect human intelligence. Afghanistan: The Fox and The Anaconda. during those mission. Centra Spike agents operated all around Colombia, as well as neighbouring countries where the cartels influence extended. Elements of the former ISA assisted in intelligence collection and analysis operations prior to and during the 2 May 2011 U.S. Special Operations Forces mission which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. Before it operated under the name ISA, the group was referred to as the Field Operations Group (FOG). This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. CAG are the top of the food chain when it comes to DA, while ISA is arguably top of the food chain for intel. Fulfilling a Crucial Role: National Intelligence Support Teams Capt. 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. His areas of focus are extremism in the Western world, military privatization and the impact of climate change on global security. That operation had highlighted the U.S. shortfall in intelligence gathering. Candidate, Pardee RAND Graduate School, Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND, and Ph.D. Student, Pardee RAND Graduate School. Gaining entry into the ISA is not easy; candidates already must be part of a special operations forces group. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2020. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR3161.html. 1st Civil Affairs Group. 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. What distinguishes them is how each community compiles, sorts, analyzes, and uses information. The Intelligence Support Activity (ISA), the 1st Capabilities Integration Group (Airborne), or simply The Activity is a component of the US Army and acts as a dedicated intelligence group for SOCOM. With the expansion, the FOG has renamed the ISA and officially established as a unit on January 29th, 1981. 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 . More aircraft were deployed, and eventually included eavesdropping on Honduran guerrillas too, as well as Nicaraguan Army units fighting against the Contras. Talk about close target recce. Thats pretty frickin ballsy. Two people with a lockpick kit and a camera. Or these operatives can clone a cellphone, allowing them to send and receive communications to and from the phone from a remote locations. Operatives infiltrated internet cafes in Baghdad and conducted flyover operations in aircraft filled with signal interception gear. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. He also leads the Armys enterprises for Critical Thinking, Mad Scientist Initiative, Foreign Military Studies Office, Global Cultural Knowledge Network, and the Operational Environment Center. (Source). Eliciting information from select sources, The exploitation of documents, media and materials. It later took on other roles like SIGINT as battlefield requirements changed over time. The United States Army Intelligence Support Activity ( USAISA ), frequently shortened to Intelligence Support Activity or ISA, and nicknamed The Activity, is a United States Army Special Operations unit originally subordinated to the US Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM). It is a Tier 1 unit under the direct supervision of the Department of Defense along with SEAL Team 6, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, and . The terrain was extremely rugged, the enemy was far more entrenched than anticipated, and Murphys Law was in full effect. In 1989, the then USAISA commander John G. Lackey sent a telex "terminating" the USAISA term and his special access program GRANTOR SHADOW. (Source). In theory, all decisions made by AI are data driven. In addition, he commanded units in the 10th Mountain Division and served in other key intelligence positions throughout the Army. [11], The ISA has also conducted an operation to search for US MIAs (soldiers reported as Missing In Action) allegedly held in South-East Asia in secret POWs camps in the 1980s. According to The Secret War by William M. Arkin, published in the Los Angeles Times on October 27, 2002, "The Army created a highly compartmentalized organization that could collect clandestine intelligence independent of the rest of the U.S. intelligence community and follow through with covert military action. (2.) Clothing worn by locals, even in specific areas. This is especially useful in countries where men and women socializing is frowned upon outside of the family. The training processes of other military groups however grant general insight into the selection and training of the ISA. Foreign language skills, although highly desired, are not a prerequisite to becoming a member of the ISA, though to be a SIGINT/HUMINT operator in the field with other Special Mission Units, working clandestine operations in non-permissive environments, knowing a minimum of several languages is usually indispensable (e.g. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. As a civil servant Mr. Greco received the Civilian Meritorious Service Medal, the Superior Service Medal and the Commanders Award for Civilian Service. The third known squadron is the Mission Support Squadron. The cover of these operatives is typically much harder to develop since it requires a reason to be in and out of the target country on a frequent basis, and to have inauspicious ties to the target country. In the Email engagement (standard) section, select Grant Permissions. Through their mastery of SIGINT, the ISA quickly got on the task of intercepting radio and telephone transmissions. The ISA initially had only support activity and HUMINT gathering functions. Originally the ISA operated as a tactical arm of the National Security Agency. It has also gone by a number of two-word Special Access Program names, including OPTIMIZE TALENT, ROYAL CAPE, CENTRA SPIKE, CAPACITY GEAR, GRANTOR SHADOW, TORN VICTOR, QUIET ENABLE, OPAQUE LEAF, CEMETERY WIND, GRAY FOX, TITRANT RANGER, and INTREPID SPEAR. Answer (1 of 7): Best way would be to join the Military, and go into either a signal intelligence mos (like Counter electronic warfare operator/technician), or a HUMINT (human intelligence) MOS like linguist. ISA operatives are highly skilled in the various arts of HUMINT gathering including: (Source). Operation Anaconda highlights how vital of a role the ISA plays in the battlespace. People know ISA mostly for its involvement in Operation Anaconda. Candidates must have previous training in tactics, such as CQC, sniper, counter-sniper and source development[clarification needed]. Now, shes a third-term Virginia congresswoman. 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. Also available in print form. Used to be USASED. Intelligence Support Activity - Role The Activity's primary role is to gather actionable intelligence in order to pave the way for special operations undertook by units such as Delta Force (known as 'operational preparation of the battlespace'). Like all units, the Intelligence Support Activity contains operational detachments as well as support detachments such as intelligence analysis, medical, logistics. Unconventional warfare is defined as "activities that are conducted to enable a resistance movement or insurgency to coerce, disrupt, or overthrow a government or occupying power by operating through or with an underground, auxiliary, and guerrilla force in a denied area." 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? The ACE is comprised of four directorates: G6 Command, Control, Communications & Computers, Office of Internal Review and Audit Compliance, G-2 OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT ENTERPRISE WEBSITE, OE TRAINING APPLICATIONS HUB (CAC LOGIN REQUIRED), There are core OE narratives that describe the changing and complex conditions the Army will face whether we have a mission next month, next year, in 2035 or beyond. [3][4][5] Within JSOC, the unit is often referred to as Task Force Orange. 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. Change 1 was issued on May 12, 2017. Commanding Officer Biography. 122 . 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 ISA remained extremely secret; all of its records were classified under a Special Access Program initially named OPTIMIZE TALENT. However, the CIA couldnt provide these answers so Delta turned to the FOG. Drawing upon decades of experience, RAND provides research services, systematic analysis, and innovative thinking to a global clientele that includes government agencies, foundations, and private-sector firms. Colonel John Lackey served as unit commander from 1986 to 1989. Highly detailed knowledge of an infiltration location is also key. The monitoring of guerilla factions allowed the Salvadoran Army to successfully defend against their attacks. Being highly proficient in the collection of HUMINT and SIGINT has made them a very effective, yet specifically dedicated, intelligence task force. Initially, Delta Force turned to the CIA for information regarding the number of guards, how they were armed and what security measures they had in place. The ISA consistently attaches itself to other units, either as a temporary or more permanent component. Before entering Civil Service, Mr. Greco served 22 years on active duty as an Army intelligence officer in a variety of important command and staff positions. . Partnership engagement encompasses all activities associated with cooperating and collaborating with US allies and friends in the research, development, production and support of weapon systems and related equipment. Subscribe to the weekly Policy Currents newsletter to receive updates on the issues that matter most. Additionally, these operative can remotely turn on a cellphone thats been turned off, which allows them to hear everything going on near it. Meaning that the government of the country these troops are operating in known that they work for the US government, however they dont necessarily know that theyre a spy. The selection process for the ISA prioritizes both a physical skill for field operations and a skill for intelligence operations. [12][13], The Field Operations Group was under command of Colonel Jerry King and operated in Iran, accomplishing various covert intelligence-gathering missions. The IC regularly briefs the groups listed below on its activities and, where appropriate, coordinates . 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. It was Delta Forces first mission and a horrific failure. Exactly who would execute the direct-action operations, would be determined after the intelligence determine the situational necessities. [11][19], On 17 December 1981, the senior U.S. Army officer in NATO Land Forces Southern European Command, Brigadier General James L. Dozier, was kidnapped from his apartment in Verona, Italy, by Italian Red Brigades terrorists. As previously mentioned, its members cross train with the CIA, Americas most comprehensive civilian intelligence agency. (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. The exact makeup of ISAs force structure is hard to determine. Welcome. Nowadays the ISA focuses on the preparation of the battlespace for military operations across the globe. The United States Army Intelligence Support Activity (USAISA), frequently shortened to Intelligence Support Activity or Mission Support Activity, and nicknamed The Activity, the Army of Northern Virginia, [1] or Office of Military Support, is a United States ArmySpecial Operations unit originally subordinated to the US Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) but now part of the Joint . 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 SIGINT group of the ISA gathered signal intelligence via aircraft, that was then passed on to NSA analysts. 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. (Source), Additionally, the ISA has acted as a pseudo-security element for the CIA. Dozier kidnapping, Operation Winter Harvest, US Army Intelligence and Security Command, United States Army Special Operations Command, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, "The Pentagon's Spies: Documents Detail Histories of Once Secret Spy Units", "Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)", "Meet the Shadow Warrior Leading the Fight Against the Islamic State", "Task Force Orange: Supporting Delta Force", "Prepared Statement to be Given by MG William E. Odom, Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of Army Before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on 8 June 1982", International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence, "Memorandum for Director, Defense Intelligence Agency", "United States Army Intelligence Support Activity 1986 Historical Report", "United States Army Intelligence Support Activity 1987 Historical Report", "Secret Army Intelligence Unit Lived On After 1980 Iran Mission", "Army Regulation 6909504 Military Intelligence Civilian Excepted Career Program", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intelligence_Support_Activity&oldid=1142221543, "The Activity", "The Army of Northern Virginia". Isa focuses on the preparation of the JSOC special mission units select,!: //www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR3161.html easy ; candidates already must be able to provide all support and activities! 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