"Known as the Intelligence Support Activity, or ISA, when it was established in 1981, this unit fought in drug wars and counter-terror operations from the Middle East to South America. Primarily acting as enablers for JSOC special mission units. WOAH, WOAH, WOAH! the Cantor interrupted, youre telling me you put in the camera in daylight hours, and now everyone is supposed to be surprised and sympathetic that its gone?. Its worth noting that Bravo troop was never compromised while conducting espionage against the Assad regime in Syria. Bravo and Delta troops utilize commercial or non-official cover. Now, shes a third-term Virginia congresswoman. Then, Delta and SEAL Team 6 operators would make their way into the city in small groups and wait at safe-houses until the time was right. Had the force been aware of the actual hostage location and situation, the force could have continued past Desert One and probably succeeded. Distinctive Unit Insignia of the US Army Intelligence Support Activity (USAISA), Task Force Orange; the Intelligence Support Activity; The Activity; the Army of Northern Virginia; the Field Operations Group (FOG); the United States Army Intelligence Support Activity, or just shortened to Intelligence Support Activity (USISA). Being highly proficient in the collection of HUMINT and SIGINT has made them a very effective, yet specifically dedicated, intelligence task force. Intelligence Support Activity-Bragg developed an online tool, the pilot for which was planned to commence on June 1, 2019, to standardize the System Authorization Access Request, Acceptable Use Policy and Privileged Access Agreement for the command. Intelligence Support Activity The Army's most obscure special-ops unit is the roughly 300-strong Intelligence Support Activity, formed in 1981, which has gone by various codenames over. In 1979 the need for a dedicated special operations intelligence unit was solidified following the overthrowing of Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. He commanded airborne battalions in both the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division. They require units with combinations of trained specialized personnel, equipment, and tactics that exceed the routine capabilities of conventional military forces. The separation did not fit real world requirements which was finally recognized in the aftermath of the failed Iran rescue. Meyer was incensed at the lack of CIA interest/dedication/support to the rescue task and believed that was a major factor in the failure. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. This has been more visible in their operations in Afghanistan, Operation Winter Harvest and Operation Queens Hunter. He tasked them to install a clandestine video camera (clandcam) framed such that it would record all the license plates of all vehicles turning down a specifically designated road. When hostages were taken in the Tehran embassy in 1980, it became clear that FOG needed to become a larger group with more resources. ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 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. Samuel is a King's College graduate with an MA in War Studies. "Perhaps the least known, and most classified unit within the realm of US special operations is the Intelligence Support Activity (ISA), a small, highly trained and capable intelligence unit. On October 23, 1983, a truck bomb slammed into the US Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241 Americans, and injuring scores more. The Birth of the Field Operations Group (Later Intelligence Support Activity / Secret Army of Northern Virginia), Part 1 of 3 - Rangers and TF160/SOAR to Follow. US Army Intelligence Support Activity (USAISA), also known as ISA, The Activity, GREY FOX and, in recent times, the Mission Support Activity (MSA), is a top secret Army intelligence unit. The examples and perspective in this article, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Joint Publication 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms", United States Army Special Operations Command, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Direct_action_(military)&oldid=1081847487, This page was last edited on 10 April 2022, at 01:40. Since 2003, t. (Source). (Source), The failure of Operation Eagle Claw was a turning point for US special operations. But if the copyright owners want to get in touch to have them immediately removed from this site then please contact our webmaster. ISA was asked to form an Algerian-based plan and a Beirut-based one for rescue. If some elements (especially photos) were originally yours please consider Specwar.info to host for free. Some solid intelligence gleaning prompted the community into action to capture PIFWC Serbian General S. Kladanj on his scheduled move out of Serbia proper into the Republic of Serbia. We had a key to that lock that the MUPs did not know about; that is, I could pick the lock with consistency. Candidates then are put through a battery of assessment and selection courses as well as background checks and psychological testing. This site uses cookies. On Gen Meyer's departure, his successor, John Wickham, attempted to disband the unit, but Jack Marsh, in his role as ASD SO/LIC prevented it, and required it be retained, and resourced. An operation was planned for their rescue, with Seaspray, Delta Force and the ISA all playing a role. US Army Special Forces | It was Delta Forces first mission and a horrific failure. A Congressional hearing was held, and the media revealed the existence of a 'classified military intelligence unit'. The unit is organized into several elements. (Source) At the time, the Salvadoran Army was facing attacks from leftist groups and more lethal right-wing death squads. Meyer was determined that no future SOF OP with Army forces would be conducted absent credible quality CIA/DOD/NSA and Army intelligence. Parsing one from the other can be quite difficult and largely determined by the location and nature of the target. A declassified document provides background information about the Intelligence Support Activity (ISA ), a little known intelligence gathering unit that collects tactical intel for Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and other Special Operations units. The ISA consistently attaches itself to other units, either as a temporary or more permanent component. Though its history is relatively brief and known missions it has undertaken even briefer, it has become one of the most interesting and influential special operations groups at the disposal of JSOC and the US military. He looked up at me momentarily though he did not repeat himself. The ISA agent was ordered to stop the recording, an order to which he complied. Special Operations Forces are the elite commandos of the U.S. military. The ISA initially had only support activity and HUMINT gathering functions. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. Highly recommended. 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 Copyright 2023 Military.com. The ISA also has a direct action arm comprised of men and women recruited from the US Army Delta . A critical component of clandestine activity is the ability to infiltrate enemy territory ahead of more formal military action. 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), The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include: The Activity is thought to made up of around 300 operators and is under the command of JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command). But what if I dont need signal intercept and intelligence gathering support for my mission?, Look, Geo theyre here, theyre queer, and theyd like so say hello just deal with it because theyre not going away. Since its inception, the Activity has been providing invaluable intelligence and support to many United States operations. Special Boat Service (SBS) |, Camouflage patterns: With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! The web portal tool will maintain a repository of all INSCOM and non -INSCOM Later that same year, Delta Force and ISA operators were sent to Saudi Arabia to help organize and train a Special Purpose Detachment of the Saudi National Guard. The selection process for the ISA prioritizes both a physical skill for field operations and a skill for intelligence operations. Access to that road saved a considerable amount of travel time for support for an ongoing mission. On the one occasion where he accompanied DSCOPS representatives to the Hill for a closed classified session regarding FOG activities, he voiced his concern regarding management, where the Committee Chairman, in plain, but polite language, told him that the Committee was satisfied with the arrangements. LTG Odom acquiesced but took every opportunity to oppose actions engaging his traditional intelligence elements. After a massive effort, including remote viewers from the United States, turned up nothing, a team of ISA signals intelligence specialists was also sent over to Italy to provide any assistance they could, along with sophisticated equipment and specially outfitted helicopters. They also provided protection for numerous Arabian princes, and established good contacts while down there. "When TWA Flight 847 was hijacked on June 14, 1985, America's counter-terrorist forces went on full alert. (. The selection process and training for special operations groups are secret. Feeling the working end of my pick with my fingers I could tell that it was destroyed; the neck had a corkscrew twist in it and it was staved to shit. At the point of execution, the road became bureaucratically bumpy. Some of the more well-documented operations of the ISA shed light on the general nature of the ISAs overall operations. They also noted the specific funding line and agreed to manage it as a priority classified line absent committee discussion. It has since changed names several times to avoid media publicity, having been alternately known as the Tactical Concept Activity, the Tactical Coordination Detachment, the Tactical Support Team, and the Studies and Analysis Activity (SAA), among other designations. "Today, the ISA operates under the code name Gray Fox. The mandarins decided they were much too tired and sleepy to unload their car to safekeep all of their sensitive items in the house with them. Featuring 931 new and updated case-based questions, organized into seven core areas of process design, this Self-Assessment will help you identify areas in which . Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. During the operation, a rivalry developed between Centra Spike, and a CIA intelligence unit named Majestic Eagle. (amazon.com). These operatives have a cover in the commercial sector, typically as an international businessperson. 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). SIGINT operations extended to areas with overlapping guerrilla operations, such as Nicaragua, which was facing the increased foe of the Contras. Each chapter of the book brings a new chapter of the Activity's operations like Lebanon, where its efforts to rescue US hostages was stymied by its own government or Bosnia where it hunted down war criminals. Get the weekly email from Grey Dynamics that makes reading intel articles and reports actually enjoyable. The planners in DAMO-ODSO were acutely aware of the different legal authorities contained in Title 10 and Title 50 statutes. The Activity grew out of the need for specialized intel support for US Special Operations that was highlighted by the failed US attempt to rescue American hostages from Iran in 1980. "ISA was divided into branches of signals intelligence (SIGINT) specialists, human intelligence (HUMINT) specialists, and a highly compartmentalized direct action element, the 'shooters'. It is tasked to collect actionable intelligence in advance of missions by other US special operations forces . 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. To this point, the CIA and the DOD followed separate independent paths as defined by statutes contained in Title 10 (DOD authorities) and Title 50 (Intelligence agency authorities). The Department of Defense in 1965 outlined its need to be more involved with collecting intelligence, supported by Robert McNamara. Task Force Mandarin [better known as Task Force Orange or the Intelligence Support Activity (ISA)] was a support organization formed to provide signal intercept and intelligence gathering capabilities to Tier One organizations. Nowadays the ISA focuses on the preparation of the battlespace for military operations across the globe. The terrain was extremely rugged, the enemy was far more entrenched than anticipated, and Murphys Law was in full effect. (Source). Russia and Ukraine battle daily in the sky. Sound Like You? US Army Intelligence Support Activity (USAISA), also known as ISA, The Activity, GREY FOX and, in recent times, the Mission Support Activity (MSA), is a top secret Army intelligence unit. Authors cartoon depicting the mandarins installing the soon-to-be compromised surveillance camera. It was the type of mission ISA was designed for, but no agents were sent in. With dramatis personae that include the CIA, Delta Force, DEVGRU, the Intelligence Support Activity, Pakistani Commandos, the Taliban, and spies from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI), this story has the makings of a future Brad Thor bestseller. In effect, the ISAs exploitation of signal intelligence saved the lives of 100s of US soldiers from the 10th Mountain and 101st Airborne divisions. I didnt think a thing of it, as it had taken me a while to throw that lock open on my first few tries. (Source). Law and the killing of a Russian propagandist: Some Q & A BY CHARLIE DUNLAP, J.D. Read Next: Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 operators on the loose? A case officer is someone who handles a foreign asset by giving them collection requirements and ensuring their safety. (Source), Additionally, the ISA has acted as a pseudo-security element for the CIA. (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. Are you one of them? As an ancillary, but crucial action during this period, LTC Bruce Mauldin and I, with the CSAs concurrence and support, visited the Hill and had several closed-door sessions with appropriate committee Chairs and Ranking Members regarding the unit's establishment, roles and missions, and funding lines. When conducting more integrated operations with other parts of the military, the skill of intelligence support comes into play. The mission criteria were pretty simple: we would fail our mission if we missed reporting the generals car, or if we allowed someone to get around our blocking position and into the ambush site. The vast majority of their operations are clouded not just in shadow, but in complete darkness. Ironically, the embassy in Iran was on their itinerary, but, history intervened, and it was overrun by a mob who took the larger part of the staff hostage. His areas of focus are extremism in the Western world, military privatization and the impact of climate change on global security. Officially formed in 1980 as FOG then transitioning to the USAISA from 1981 to 1989, this unit now operates under changing names like Capacity Gear or Quiet Enable. Immediately after, he would be dropped off in a city, and asked to perform clandestine activities. These intelligence gathering methods outline how intelligence is gathered and what is done with it afterwards. var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); The support provided can come in a range of different forms. "These commands and white Special Forces like the Green Berets, as well as Air Force combat controllers and commandos of eight different nations report to a mind-boggling array of new command cells and coordination units set up after Sept. Funding was to be a joint undertaking. Delta was finally given the go-ahead and flew to Sicily and Cyprus along with Task Force 160 and Seaspray helicopters, thus ending the need for ISA's help. Fort Belvoir, North Virginia, United States. Exactly who would execute the direct-action operations, would be determined after the intelligence determine the situational necessities. Though its freelance tendencies were curbed, the ISA continued to operate under different guises through the ill-starred U.S. involvement in Somalia in 1992 and was reportedly active in the hunt for Bosnian Serbs suspected of war crimes. (Source). 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) Honolulu . "In late 1981, ISA agents were involved in the attempt to acquire a Soviet T-72 tank, which had obsessed intelligence analysts. All information and multimedia on Specwar.info comes from a wide number of sources. The Cantor finally said something, and he said it very very loudly when the mandarins lost control of some weapons and encrypted radios. During the operations training course, candidates are taught infiltration techniques, advanced air operations, offensive and off-road driving, personal defensive measures and communications. Additionally, ISA operates a number of fixed and rotary wing aircraft and these pilots fit somewhere into the puzzle that is ISA. 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. 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(Source) The US military sought to carry out intelligence operations without the direct need of US intelligence agencies. Royal Cape, Granite Rock and Powder Keg were some, Centra Spike and Torn Victor being other possible cover names. Gaining entry into the ISA is not easy; candidates already must be part of a special operations forces group. They were so adept that observers commented they could literally pluck information from the air, speaking not only to the revolutionary use of SIGINT but also the skill of the ISA. Unless you plan to body-check those cars I would junk up.. USSOCOM receives, reviews, coordinates and prioritizes all Defense Department plans that support the global campaign against terrorism. Plus, they wouldnt have to load the car back up again the next day what a grand and magnanimous plan that proved to be. The US recognized the usefulness of this unit and began surveying embassies across the world. He seemed equally satisfied when they reported the next morning that the clandcam was up and recording and that they would have the product with them when they returned the next morning. The CIA would talk directly to the warlords while the ISA provided SIGINT support and ground security for them. (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. In the aftermath, the FOG was hard at work gathering intelligence in Iran in preparation for Operation Credible Sport, the second attempt to rescue the hostages. 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. His elements were being heavily tasked, and a directed intelligence pipeline was established to FOG. 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'). Its budget would be carefully concealed so that it never made a paper trail, and only a dozen officials would know the names and locations of all of ISA's agents and safehouses. Since its inception, the Activity has been providing invaluable intelligence and support to many United States operations. 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. Deployed together with a small Delta Force contingent, Centra Spike flew over Colombia in their airplanes and continued to track Escobar. Dozier was taken hostage and mistreated, with the Red Brigades viewing him as an ideological foe that needed to be made an example of. Colonel Jerry King retained his position as the head of the group, now 100-strong and headquartered in a nondescript building in Arlington, Virginia. The ISA team left Beirut in January 1984. Most officials disliked the unit's head, Jerry King, and thus, JSOC did not send the unit in. During Anaconda, ISA intelligence helped save both the 10th Mountain Division and 101st Airborne Division at Takur Ghar. We provided documents for viewing from both the Agency and DOD lawyers supporting the organization and outlining the rationale. It was late in the evening after a long day and long drive for the mandarins, who finally stopped to stay the night in one of the many safe houses we had scattered throughout the country. 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. Almost simultaneously, another truck bomb exploded in the French barracks, killing 56. International Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Interview with Dr. Niamh Gaynor, Transnistria and Russian Tensions: Moldova 12-month Forecast, Terrorist Threat in Senegal: A 12-month Forecast, Terrorist Threat in Guinea: A 12-Month Forecast, 7.3. One selection exercise involved dropping a candidate off in the desert without food, water or means of communication. The manhunt was over. Intelligence Support Activity The Army's most obscure special-ops unit is the roughly 300-strong Intelligence Support Activity, formed in 1981, which has gone by various codenames over. He would be given instructions and equipment along the way, and was required to perform certain assignments, for example, setting up a SATCOM system. For instance, while US Army Special Forces were originally created for unconventional warfare (UW) missions and gradually added other capabilities, the US Navy SEALs, and the UK Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) continue to perform a primary DA role with special reconnaissance (SR) as original missions. by Michael Smith ". In the 1980s, extremist parties on both sides of the political spectrum plagued Italy. The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include: HUMINT (HUMan INTellgence) "In 1984, political instability swept through the Seychelles, a group of islands off the coast of Africa. 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'). Boss Cantor seemed satisfied with how the mandarins gathered the necessary hardware for the mission and then marched smartly out the door. Additionally, these operative can remotely turn on a cellphone thats been turned off, which allows them to hear everything going on near it. The SEALs, SAS, and SBS added additional capabilities over time, responding to the needs of modern conflict. 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Based on photos of ISA operatives and reasonable assumption, they are most likely to carry: For a unit like ISA, firearms are not its primary weapons.
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