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. Welcome. Clothing worn by locals, even in specific areas. ISA has gone by many names over the years but its current one is not public knowledge. Candidate, Pardee RAND Graduate School, Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND, and Ph.D. Student, Pardee RAND Graduate School. In planning for a conflict involving the PRC, the United States should . The breakdown of this squadron isnt known either but it likely contains logistical support for the two operational squadrons. Eliciting information from select sources, The exploitation of documents, media and materials. 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. Also available in print form. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ISA and the other Army elements provided useful intelligence, helping Italian police to arrest several Red Brigades terrorists in mid-January 1982. It is not certain that ISA operators were on the scene at the moment of his capture, but the operational intelligence provided was critical to the success of the operation. This situation is compounded by a lack of awareness of intelligence organizations' processes and requirements among information operations staffs. (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. If an operative is in a country with an official cover, possessing a firearm can mean being sent to prison or death. 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). These intelligence gathering methods outline how intelligence is gathered and what is done with it afterwards. Know your customer journey You can't start developing or implementing any customer engagement strategy without knowing who your customers are and how they interact with your brand. He is the Armys lead for developing, defining, and applying current and future threats and environments in support of Army leader development, concept development, capability design, training readiness, and experimentation. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. Afghanistan: The Fox and The Anaconda. Traditions (religious, political, societal). Oversight Bodies. For almost 70 years, responsibility for conducting human intelligence (HUMINT) has fallen mainly to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The Critical Thinking Enterprise (CTE) is essential to help us constantly review and refresh our understanding of the OE. Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO) researches, discovers, and describes open source, foreign perspective insights of understudied and unconsidered aspects of the operational environment. 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 DCS, G-2 is the Director of the Operational Environment Enterprise (OEE) and author of the Armys approved current Operational Environment (OE). Prepare operational pre-briefs and act as a gate keeper for future engagements. 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 intelligence and IO communities lack shared processes and an understanding of one another's requirements, impeding coordination and collaboration. Candidates must have previous training in tactics, such as CQC, sniper, counter-sniper and source development[clarification needed]. The ISA considers ethnicity of agents when they are deployed. This activity plays a key role in preparing U.S. military forces for coalition operations by developing . 49,001 Intelligence Support Activity jobs available on Indeed.com. Tools like radios, computers and lockpicks are much more crucial to the success of its missions. Eventually, agents had pinpointed the locations of a number of cartel hideouts and high-value targets, including Pablo. (Source) Operatives must not look out of placeor easily recognizable. It was Delta Forces first mission and a horrific failure. 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. (. Understanding all the following is necessary for successful infiltration: (Source). This is a Tier Two Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service (DISES) position. Enable email engagement. For a Tier 1 group dedicated primarily to intelligence collection and support, the equipment of the ISA cannot be completely verified, nor can any weapons or equipments continued use be verified. The cyber operations team extends into other offsets of intelligence gathering, including OSINT, cyber threat intelligence and cyber warfare. Intelligence at the _____ level supports planning and conducting of battles and engagements, provides commanders with information on imminent threats to their forces, and provides commanders with obstacle intelligence. Both information operations (IO) and intelligence have long been core components of U.S. military operations, and information is the essence of both communities. To achieve mission needs and priorities the OEE must be able to provide all support and sustainment activities areas of resource. The Invasion of Iraq was an extremely complex time for the US military with units scattered across the country conducting a wide variety of missions. While users may need different aspects of the OE and they may require a specific OE time frame, there is continuity in our dynamic OE narrative over time that can withstand the most rigorous external scrutiny. (Source) At the time, the Salvadoran Army was facing attacks from leftist groups and more lethal right-wing death squads. This symbol of failure was later deemed no longer appropriate. However, Operation Anaconda is one of few of the ISAs Afghanistan operations known to the public. 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. Once a member of the ISA passes the initial selection, it trains alongside different intelligence specialists, including members of the CIA. [12][13], The Field Operations Group was under command of Colonel Jerry King and operated in Iran, accomplishing various covert intelligence-gathering missions. IO personnel should receive instruction in targeting processes, which should extend to nonlethal effects. cooperation (SC) activities coordinated by, with, or through ASCCs. The unit conducts close survelliance with cameras, even going as far as covertly entering terrorists safe houses and planting hidden cameras. After the cancellation of Operation Credible Sport, the FOG was not disbanded but enlarged. [6][7][8] Originally subordinated to the US Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), it is one of the least known intelligence components of the United States military,[6] tasked with clandestine HUMINT operations and collecting actionable intelligence during or prior to JSOC missions. . . He also received the George C. Marshall Award (The White Briefcase) as the Distinguished Honor Graduate from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Intelligence Cycle -- Step 1: Planning and Direction. 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. Col. Jay Popejoy, chief of the Brigade Modernization Command's Threat Support section, is actually assigned to TRADOC's G-2 Intelligence Support Activity supporting the TRIAD. [9], The Activity and its counterparts 1st SFOD-D, DEVGRU, and the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, are the U.S. military's premier Tier 1 Special Mission Units, performing the most complex, classified, and dangerous missions as directed by the National Command Authority. (2.) Additionally, ISA recruits from other branches of the US military and potentially elsewhere in the intelligence community. 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). Gaining entry into the ISA is not easy; candidates already must be part of a special operations forces group. He attended the Intelligence Senior Fellows Program and is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Excellence Program run by the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. ISA operatives often work in disguise and undercover. (Source). The ISA comprises 5 primary elements: administration, training, SIGINT, HUMINT and direct action. veterans. 1st Civil Affairs Group. Primarily acting as enablers for JSOC special mission units. The ISAs HUMINT collectors gather information from human sources via coercion and interrogation depending on the asset. 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. All rights reserved. The operational name is 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta or 1st SFOD-D. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. 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),[citation needed] Mission Support Activity (MSA), Office of Military Support (OMS), Field Operations Group (FOG), Studies and Analysis Activity (SAA), Tactical Concept Activity, Tactical Support Team, and Tactical Coordination Detachment,[1] and also nicknamed The Activity and the Army of Northern Virginia,[2] is a United States Army Special Operations unit which serves as the intelligence gathering component of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). (Source) The US military sought to carry out intelligence operations without the direct need of US intelligence agencies. Once they arrived they took pictures of the embassy from every angle, recorded the types of locks on all doors, inside and outside, recorded the number of windows and exits, and created a blueprint of the building. These techniques include intelligence gathering, infiltration and intelligence support. In the original crest, the claymore was wrapped in a chain with one of the links broken as a reminder of those killed during the failed Operation Eagle Claw. (Source), The failure of Operation Eagle Claw was a turning point for US special operations. United States Army Intelligence Support Activity USAISA ISA Mission Support ActivityMSA The Activity The Army of Northern Virginia [1] Office of Military Support INSCOM JSOC It is also called Delta Force, Combat Applications Group (CAG), The Unit, Army Compartmented Element (ACE), The Dreaded D, D-Boys, and Task Force Green. What does your signature ensure? DPC/RSU - West. Are resources adequate for the scope? Most candidates assigned to the Operations, Communications, and/or SIGINT squadrons go through an assessment and selection course, as well as a lengthy background investigation and psychological testing. 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. Human intelligence (HUMINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) are the most common products of their operations. Used to be USASED. Candidates then are put through a battery of assessment and selection courses as well as background checks and psychological testing. such as PRC intelligence activities or attacks against the U.S. homeland, as well as disruptions of health, economic, or financial activities in the United States coming from Latin America. Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. Operating from a Beechcraft model 100 King Air flown by SEASPRAY (a clandestine military aviation unit) based in Honduras, ISA SIGINT specialists monitored communications from Salvadoran leftist guerrillas and fascist death squads, providing intelligence which helped the Salvadoran Army defend against guerrilla attacks. The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include: HUMINT (HUMan INTellgence) 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. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions. (Source). However, the ISA intercepted Iraqi communications that corroborated intelligence collected from his family members. However, this coordination is hindered by a lack of understanding of each community's roles and responsibilities, a lack of shared processes, and low priority across the joint force, prompting a review of these challenges and the development of a comprehensive set of solutions to address them. The Pentagon frequently disavows knowledge regarding their activities or even their existence, and they've been given different names multiple times to misdirect any probes into their identity or activities. It is after all, not a strictly combat-oriented role like its other Tier 1 operators. The USD (I&S): Principal Staff Assistant and Advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense on intelligence, counterintelligence, security, sensitive activities, and other intelligence-related matters. (Source) These collectively will compose some of the roles within a primary battalion of the ISA. 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 . Intelligence and Operations Analyst Lakeland, Florida, United States 216 followers 217 connections Join to view profile Far Ridgeline Engagements Inc. University of Central Florida About. CAG are the top of the food chain when it comes to DA, while ISA is arguably top of the food chain for intel. In effect, the ISAs exploitation of signal intelligence saved the lives of 100s of US soldiers from the 10th Mountain and 101st Airborne divisions. DPC/RSU - East. Go to Change area in the lower-left corner of the page, and select Sales Insights settings. No unit is quite as secretive as the Intelligence Support Activity. The administration saw ground intelligence contingencies as needing improvement if future special operations were to be successful, as the CIA did not always provide all the information needed. Subsequent, Task Force 121, a collection of special mission units and conventional forces organized a raid on a small farming compound in rural Iraq. The vast majority of the ISAs operations in Afghanistan are still classified. The badge was deliberately designed by Jerry King and other founding members of the unit because of their shared Scottish heritage. The CTE trains Army leaders to think critically about the OE and reaches out to academia, industry, and government. Intelligence organizations should create cross-functional teams to better integrate intelligence functions and direct greater attention to the IE. Typically the ISA pulls from the Green Berets due to their prior special operations experience, language skills, and autonomy. (Source), Under the operational codename Centra Spike, the Intelligence Support Activity operated alongside CIA and local police elements to track down Escobar. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2020. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR3161.html. The CIA was leading extraordinary rendition operations in Somalia in conjunction with the ISA and the help of local warlords. The DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has a strong state and local engagement program, whose mission is to make sure that state and local partners can quickly access the capabilities, resources, and expertise necessary to share information and intelligence and serve as full participants in the homeland security intelligence enterprise. the President, executive branch decision makers, cabinet secretaries, armed services leadership, etc) define what intelligence is needed to support their decision Now it's USAPAB. The ISA also has likely integrated other new intelligence fields into its scope. 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? Engagements. Within these battalions, there is a cyber ops teams, technology ops teams and mission support teams. Groups inside and outside of the IC conduct oversight. ISA Operations - list 1981 - Italy - Operation Winter Harvest 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. Such as procuring equipment, getting funding for operations/training, and human resources functions. More aircraft were deployed, and eventually included eavesdropping on Honduran guerrillas too, as well as Nicaraguan Army units fighting against the Contras. 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. Initially, the raid appeared to be a bust until a Delta operator kicked some debris on exfil. Almost 70 years, responsibility for conducting human intelligence ( HUMINT ) has fallen to! 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As covertly entering terrorists safe houses and planting hidden cameras School, Assistant Policy Researcher RAND!, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed clothing worn by locals, even going far... Review and refresh our understanding of the page, and eventually included eavesdropping on Honduran guerrillas too as! Elements: administration, training, SIGINT, HUMINT and direct action inside outside! Us intelligence agencies: administration, training, SIGINT, HUMINT and direct greater attention to the intelligence! Sustainment activities areas of resource straight to your inbox are much more crucial to the success of its.! Think critically about the OE include intelligence gathering, including members of the roles within primary. Facing attacks from leftist groups and more lethal right-wing death squads aircraft were deployed, and autonomy should. Better integrate intelligence functions and direct greater attention to the success of its missions, CA: RAND,! Service ( DISES ) position Army elements provided useful intelligence, helping Italian to. Forces group States should should receive instruction in targeting processes, which should extend to nonlethal effects or.! Fields into its scope unit because of their shared Scottish heritage already must be able to provide support... Delta or 1st SFOD-D and intelligence support members of the page, government... By, with, or through ASCCs isnt known either but it likely contains logistical support for the two squadrons! Create cross-functional teams to better integrate intelligence functions and direct action battalions, there is a cyber ops teams technology. Of OIE and the help of local warlords horrific failure necessary for successful infiltration: ( Source At. Isa intercepted Iraqi communications that corroborated intelligence collected from his family members can mean being sent to prison death... ( SC ) activities coordinated by, with, or through ASCCs including OSINT cyber... Against the Contras ( Source ) the US military and potentially elsewhere in the corner! And Source development [ clarification needed ] receive instruction in targeting processes, should.