Their efforts may have saved more than a hundred 10th Mountain Division and 101st Airborne Division soldiers fighting near Takur Ghar in Afghanistan's Shahikot Valley during Operation Anaconda. 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. Additionally, ISA operates a number of fixed and rotary wing aircraft and these pilots fit somewhere into the puzzle that is ISA. The vast majority of the ISAs operations in Afghanistan are still classified. 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 Notably, from 2007 to 2008, Mr. Greco deployed to Iraq where he served as the Assistant CJ2 in Iraq, ensuring intelligence support to the entire Combined Joint Task Force during the highly successful Sunni Awakening that changed the course of the war there. Apply to Operations Associate, Chief Information Officer, Examiner and more! during those mission. Some of the more well-documented operations of the ISA shed light on the general nature of the ISAs overall operations. 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 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. As a civil servant Mr. Greco received the Civilian Meritorious Service Medal, the Superior Service Medal and the Commanders Award for Civilian Service. In theory, all decisions made by AI are data driven. 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 task was submitted to the U.S. Army Special Operations Division (SOD), which started Operation Queens Hunter. IO personnel should work with intelligence personnel to improve coordination and routinize processes. and analyze data on the human terrain, cultural factors, and other intelligence sources in support of IO and information-related capability planners and practitioners, such efforts were often short-lived. Under the guiding hand of JSOC, the ISA operated alongside other JSOC and CIA elements, under the codename Gray Fox. Special Operations Forces are the elite commandos of the U.S. military. The Chief's planning element determined that DOD/Army needed to create a Joint Army-CIA force that would both develop quality intelligence abroad, but also provide site support for direct action operations. Given the nature of their operations and the close work and training they receive alongside other US special operations forces, much of their equipment is likely to mimic that of the special mission units they support and work alongside. (Source) Once the safe house was located, using a mixture of SIGINT, GEOINT and HUMINT, a raid was initiated. The ISA remained extremely secret; all of its records were classified under a Special Access Program initially named OPTIMIZE TALENT. [15][16] Colonel Jerry King became the ISA's first commander. (Source) This allowed the forces involved in the surrounding Shahikot Valley to be more informed of enemy movements and positions. Nonetheless, Gritz was not believed to be doing serious work, and Pentagon officials ordered the ISA to terminate their relationship with him when they discovered that ISA had provided him with money and equipment. Its purpose is unlike many other special operations forces of the US military, not dedicated to direct combat, and more towards secretive and clandestine actions necessary to support other military operations. The SIGINT group of the ISA gathered signal intelligence via aircraft, that was then passed on to NSA analysts. 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). There are a lot of cool things amongst the military branches but these dudes are badass!. To achieve mission needs and priorities the OEE must be able to provide all support and sustainment activities areas of resource. The ISA is perhaps the most major outlier doctrinally from its other, better known, counterparts within JSOC and SOCOM as a whole. Exercises the Secretary of Defense's authority, direction, and control over the Defense Agencies and DoD . RAND reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. 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 ). 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. On the ground, these operatives can use a directional antenna programmed to pick up a specific cellphones signal, even if it was turned off, providing Delta Force with a target building to raid. [3][4][5] Within JSOC, the unit is often referred to as Task Force Orange. Intelligence (Cyberspace) Personnel who collect, process, analyze, and disseminate information from all sources of intelligence on foreign actors' cyberspace programs, intentions, capabilities, research and development, and operational activities. However, the CIA couldnt provide these answers so Delta turned to the FOG. 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. (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. (Source). The US recognized the usefulness of this unit and began surveying embassies across the world. requirements driven. This extends beyond knowledge of things like general location, language and culture. More aircraft were deployed, and eventually included eavesdropping on Honduran guerrillas too, as well as Nicaraguan Army units fighting against the Contras. TRADOC G-2 supports the Armys Combat Training Centers, deployed forces, all of the Armys educational institutions and capability development activities. . The CIA would talk directly to the warlords while the ISA provided SIGINT support and ground security for them. These members function as case officers. Candidates then are put through a battery of assessment and selection courses as well as background checks and psychological testing. (Source), The ISAs selection and training is geared towards intelligence specialisation despite conducting occasional direct engagement. During Anaconda, ISA intelligence helped save both the 10th Mountain Division and 101st Airborne Division at Takur Ghar. Some of the disciplines focused on in the training course are infiltration techniques, advanced air operations, professional driving (offensive and off-road), personal defensive measures, use of state-of-the-art communications equipment, deep surveillance, tradecraft, weapons handling, hand-to-hand combat, signals intelligence, etc. Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. The ISA's HUMINT collectors gather information from human sources via coercion and interrogation depending on the asset. ACE Fusion Directorate integrates research and analysis efforts from across the ACE with those of the Intelligence Community to produce tailored assessments for senior leaders within the Army and Department of Defense and provides direct support to TRADOC G-2 Operational Environment Center (OEC) training and exercises. Provides intelligence support and related activities to federal asset and threat agencies Facilitates the building of situational threat awareness and sharing of related . intelligence activities. intelligence support. 4th ANGLICO. Human intelligence (HUMINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) are the most common products of their operations. Terrorist Threat in Guinea: A 12-Month Forecast, Sahel Security 2023: African Union Forecast, 7.3. Operatives must also go unnoticed, being able to blend into crowds and not draw attention. Sound Like You? All of them cross streams a lot with capabilities but to say one is better overall then the other is apples to oranges. Alpha and Charlie troops utilize official cover to collect human intelligence. The success was such that the operation, planned to last a month, ran for more than three years. With the expansion, the FOG has renamed the ISA and officially established as a unit on January 29th, 1981. Special Recon, Direct Action. Enable email engagement. The DCS, G-2 is the Director of the Operational Environment Enterprise (OEE) and author of the Armys approved current Operational Environment (OE). 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. [11] ISA included three main operations branches (Command, SIGINT and Operations) and an analysis branch, whose name changed over the years (e.g. The monitoring of guerilla factions allowed the Salvadoran Army to successfully defend against their attacks. [16] HUMINT and SIGINT Candidates must have previous training in tactics, such as CQC, sniper, counter-sniper and source development. Talk about close target recce. Thats pretty frickin ballsy. Two people with a lockpick kit and a camera. I&A's State and Local Partner Engagement . This is especially useful in countries where men and women socializing is frowned upon outside of the family. 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. The CTE trains Army leaders to think critically about the OE and reaches out to academia, industry, and government. However, due to the nature of ISAs mission, its operators are rarely likely to carry weapons into the field. Saddam Hussein was eventually captured during Operation Red Dawn. Operation Winter Harvest Operation Desert Storm Operation Gothic Serpent Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Source) Gray Fox operators and intelligence specialists operated alongside other special operations units, including Delta Force and DEVGRU, as well as other components of the US Army. Samuel is a King's College graduate with an MA in War Studies. [citation needed]. The debris revealed a spider hole and as an operator prepared a grenade, Saddam poked his head out of the hole. 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. (Source), Additionally, the ISA has acted as a pseudo-security element for the CIA. 9,257 Civilian Intelligence jobs available on Indeed.com. veterans. Its members often worked closely with Joint Special Operations Command and the Central Intelligence Agency. 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? 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. Operations in the information environment require close coordination between intelligence and information operations personnel. During the period leading up to the engagement, as well as potentially during the infamous Battle of Takur Ghar (aka the Battle of Roberts Ridge), ISA operators conducted aggressive SIGINT operations, intercepting enemy communications and feeding them to allied forces. When conducting more integrated operations with other parts of the military, the skill of intelligence support comes into play. I have accrued over 12 years experience in the Government and Defence environments in my career to date. Partner Engagements. (Source) These collectively will compose some of the roles within a primary battalion of the ISA. [21] Under the command of Colonel Michael K. Nagata from 2005 to 2008, Gray Fox continued to operate in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside US Special Operations Forces. Mr. Greco has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. The TRADOC DCS, G-2 develops, describes, and delivers the OE in order to support the Armys preparations to fight and win the nations wars. What does your signature ensure? When hostages were taken in the Tehran embassy in 1980, it became clear that FOG needed to become a larger group with more resources. 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. PLA Engagement with Latin America in Support of PRC Strategic Objectives. The ISA would provide actionable intelligence collection, pathfinding, and operational support. Intelligence Support Activity: Declassified. Clothing worn by locals, even in specific areas. The cyber operations team extends into other offsets of intelligence gathering, including OSINT, cyber threat intelligence and cyber warfare. (Source). I am currently an Engagement Manager employed with Downer Professional Services, achieving the advancement of Capability Development within the Department of Defence. 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. The ISA initially had only support activity and HUMINT gathering functions. This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. [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. 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. Deputy Lead, RAND Space Enterprise Initiative; Assistant Policy Researcher; Ph.D. 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 . This intelligence then triangulated the possible location of Dozier. These deployments include Operation Winter Harvest, Operation Queens Hunter and their role in Operation Anaconda. It is tasked to collect actionable intelligence in advance of . The search for General Dozier saw a massive deployment of Italian and U.S. forces, including thousands of Italian national police, the Carabinieri. Typically the ISA pulls from the Green Berets due to their prior special operations experience, language skills, and autonomy. This research was sponsored by U.S. European Command and conducted within the International Security and Defense Policy Center of the RAND National Security Research Division (NSRD), which operates the National Defense Research Institute (NDRI). After the cancellation of Operation Credible Sport, the FOG was not disbanded but enlarged. Gaining entry into the ISA is not easy; candidates already must be part of a special operations forces group. 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). If they would have been caught, they were done. SMU operator (on ISA breaking into an Al-Qaeda safehouse), Additionally, HUMINT operatives working deep undercover will sometimes work in male-female teams. 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. 6th Communication Battalion. Subscribe to the weekly Policy Currents newsletter to receive updates on the issues that matter most. Some forces were focused on eliminating Iraqi forces and others focused on deposing the ruling Hussein family. Schwille, Michael, Anthony Atler, Jonathan Welch, Christopher Paul, and Richard C. 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Currently an Engagement Manager employed with Downer Professional Services, achieving the advancement capability! The cyber operations team extends into other offsets of intelligence support comes into play women socializing is frowned outside.
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