Primarily acting as enablers for JSOC special mission units. Since its inception, the Activity has been providing invaluable intelligence and support to many United States operations. (Source) Once the safe house was located, using a mixture of SIGINT, GEOINT and HUMINT, a raid was initiated. Additionally, conceal meant can be a factor in weapon selection too. Both the CSA and the Director understood that each offered something the other did not and that together, a much better response capability could be generateda point that POTUS emphasized through the National Security Council to both. Human intelligence (HUMINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) are the most common products of their operations. And with that our boss, the Cantor, doled out a mission for a two-man team of mandarins. ISA intelligence specialists, K9 units, security experts and demolition experts were sent to the country undercover as military advisers. _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-21361708-1']); Nowadays the ISA focuses on the preparation of the battlespace for military operations across the globe. The CIA proved unable to provide the critical intelligence Delta Force needed, such as the number of guards, the type of weapons they were using and what kinds of locks were on the doors. Once inside, Centra Spike agents would plug in laptops into the airplane's power and could simultaneously track four frequencies. 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. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. Grey Dynamics is a Private Intelligence firm based out of London with analysts, researchers, and investigators worldwide. >Develops and . SIGINT operations extended to areas with overlapping guerrilla operations, such as Nicaragua, which was facing the increased foe of the Contras. It's a Special Mission Unit and conducts highly classified operations. The most important thing to know is that intelligence drives "direct action" operations. In the 1980s, extremist parties on both sides of the political spectrum plagued Italy. They must maintain a demeanour of trustworthiness and calmness, so any approached HUMINT sources feel safe and trusted. This time, the manhunt for Escobar was being led by Col. Hugo Martinez, who did not intend to let Escobar get away, and who operated with ruthless efficiency, aided by Centra Spike's intelligence. "Gray Fox's low-profile eavesdropping planes also fly without military markings. In one particular situation, Delta and Torn Victor agents supposedly donned French uniforms (Pale is in the French sector of the UN zone) and traveled to Pale hoping to conduct closer surveillance of his whereabouts. Know a SEAL from a Night Stalker: a breakdown of US Special - SOFREP "When the first rescue attempt of the hostages in Iran failed, a second attempt, code-named Honey Badger, immediately started. Little is known about the organization or its activities, but it is clear that they serve as a. Jose Solano - Intelligence Analyst - CACI International Inc | LinkedIn "In 1983, a five-man ISA unit led by Lt. Col. William Cowan was dispatched to Beirut, Lebanon to deal with the increasing threat to American interests in the area. ISA has gone by many names over the years but its current one is not public knowledge. 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. ISA operatives are masters of tradecraft. It was agreed that FOG would be a Joint organization and roles and tasks were developed for eachalways mindful of the Title 10/50 issues. ISA was asked to develop a plan of action. They skillfully pushed the car down the dirt driveway and out onto the hardball road a-ways where they could hot-wire and start the car without being heard by the slumbering princesses in the safe house. ISA operatives often work in disguise and undercover. A goodly amount of minutes went by. ". Spec Ops Profile: Intelligence Support Activity | Military.com Royal Cape, Granite Rock and Powder Keg were some, Centra Spike and Torn Victor being other possible cover names. But if the copyright owners want to get in touch to have them immediately removed from this site then please contact our webmaster. The Headquarters element of ISA is located in Fort Belvoir, VA but the squadrons and supporting elements are scattered across the Maryland/D.C./Virginia area. In short order, Langley provided people, training, and a conduit to its various intelligence and planning aspects. A Congressional hearing was held, and the media revealed the existence of a 'classified military intelligence unit'. We locked the chain back up behind it and returned to base. (Source). _gaq.push(['_setDomainName', '.specwar.info']); Secret Warriors: Inside the Covert Military Operations of the Reagan Era by Steven Emerson HUMINT collection cant be done without boots on the ground, so members of the main battalions are likely conducting field operations. Rather than disbanding the unit, it was expanded. They also have direct action elements within their battalions, alongside specialists in HUMINT and SIGINT. The exact makeup of ISAs force structure is hard to determine. For the four main battalions, numbering in total over 300 operators, there are different roles members could fall into. The "Pakistani cook" piece, delivered as Delta boarded the aircraft, was viewed as an implausible source though subsequent inquiry revealed that the crucial info was available much earlier, but intentionally not shared for several reasons. Political bickering stalled the deployment of the agents, and finally, the operation was approved. (amazon.com), " Veritas Omnia Vincula Vincit Additionally, ISA recruits from other branches of the US military and potentially elsewhere in the intelligence community. (. (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. Things became more complicated though, as the airplane took on more terrorists and weapons on one of its hops to Beirut, and Algerian authorities refused Delta permission to mount a rescue on their soil. When Escobar surrendered in 1991, Centra Spike was pulled out, only to return a year later, when Escobar escaped from his comfortable prison. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include: HUMINT (HUMan INTellgence) Its scope is quite large, and it often works in support of JSOC, SOCOM and even other intelligence agencies. US Air Force Pararescue | 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. Intelligence picked up reports that the two, along with other Sudanese officials were the targets of Libyan-sponsored terrorist assassinations. US Navy SEALs | "Also in 1982, an ISA team was sent to Sudan to provide protection to Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry and his vice president. A top-secret 'Army electronic surveillance team', was sent to aid the Colombians in August of 1989, as a part of Operation Heavy Shadow. find out more At the point of execution, the road became bureaucratically bumpy. 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. 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", Sources: It was so simple that we didnt even need to create a nursery rhyme to recite to help us remember all the steps. Developed hunt methodology for Albuquerque-based Counter Human Traffic organization DeliverFund llc as an Intelligence Analyst and Network Disruption Team Leader in the Get The Daily Situation. The southern blocking force team of mystified mandarins meandered in where we were stacking mags and: What are you guys doing with all the hardware?, Mission prep for the Klandanj takedown., Well were a blocking force; were supposed to block cars keep them from getting around us to the ambush site. The ACSI, LTG Odom, strongly objected to the authority lines for FOG and asked Meyer to switch the Army portion from DCSOPS to the ACSI. Intelligence Support Activity - SourceWatch They marked secret infiltration routes and bases American forces could use if they were ever sent into the country. Exactly who would execute the direct-action operations, would be determined after the intelligence determine the situational necessities. The authors note that "All information used in this article has been obtained from publicly available, open source documents." The TRADOC DCS, G-2 develops, describes, and delivers the OE in order to support the Army's preparations to fight and win the nation's wars. America's Most Elite Special Forces - msn.com What is the difference between the Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization programs recently developed vs. previous years? The terrain was extremely rugged, the enemy was far more entrenched than anticipated, and Murphys Law was in full effect. The operation, code-named Great Falcon, made a deal with the Iraqi government for a T-72, in exchange for 175mm cannons. Does the army's intelligence support activity also do direct action? 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. Smith's book lifts the lid of secrecy on the Activity, one of America's least well known Special Ops units. Centra Spike was known to operate under several cover names, including Torn Victor, Cemetery Wind, Capacity Gear and Robin Court, and closely matched ISA's description. Get the weekly email from Grey Dynamics that makes reading intel articles and reports actually enjoyable. 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. 8 years' rapidly progressive experience with US Army and a DoD Contractor 4 years in direct support of conventional intelligence units 3 deployments in support of a SOF Task Force. ODSO/FOG overcame much of this through replication of capability generously funded and supported by CIA. (Source) The US military sought to carry out intelligence operations without the direct need of US intelligence agencies. This intelligence then triangulated the possible location of Dozier. His areas of focus are extremism in the Western world, military privatization and the impact of climate change on global security. Few special operations forces are clad in as much secrecy as the Intelligence Support Activity. The emerging problems our Nation faced in the early 1980s with terrorism, airplane hijacking, and hostage taking, created considerable challenges for the government (USG) to resolve. Clothing worn by locals, even in specific areas. Reconnaissance overflights revealed a possible location where POWs, still believed to be held by the Vietnamese early in the year. Its skills 'perfected during missions over El Salvador,' Centra Spike honed in on Escobar's cellular phone calls and relayed the information back to Colombian police forces. Talk about close target recce. Thats pretty frickin ballsy. Two people with a lockpick kit and a camera. a Title 10 operation or a Title 50 operation. Landing zones were established, Lebanese militias contacted for help, and plans formulated for a commando force. Smith's book lifts the lid of secrecy on the Activity, one of America's least well known Special Ops units. They set up protection for the president and installed a security system. During Anaconda, ISA intelligence helped save both the 10th Mountain Division and 101st Airborne Division at Takur Ghar. (Source) Training involves different espionage and intelligence methods that allow ISA members to carry out their essential HUMINT operations. Green Berets are considered unique from other special operators for various reasons, most . The second rescue force was not going to be affected by the same problem, and the FOG was established in July of 1980, under the control of Colonel Jerry King. With it, they had a unit of military spies able to covertly infiltrate a country and provide hands-on, critical intelligence, as well as to raise logistical support for counter-terrorist commandos in case of a crisis. The whole force drove north as planned, putting Kay and me upfront to clear ahead and report back to the assault force. The unit has been under command of the US Army but some time after September 11th 2001 command was placed under direct control of the Joint Special Operations Command or JSOC at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, United States. "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. (Source). The team put together a detailed critique and proposed changes to the organization of the forces, but the document was ignored by the higher officials insisting that security was adequate. The situation quickly worsened, until officials in the US embassy were in genuine concern for their lives, so much that the ambassador cabled for immediate help. Most officials disliked the unit's head, Jerry King, and thus, JSOC did not send the unit in. A case officer is someone who handles a foreign asset by giving them collection requirements and ensuring their safety. Gaining entry into the ISA is not easy; candidates already must be part of a special operations forces group. The Joint Special Operations Command and the frequently-renamed Intelligence Support Activity are similar units. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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. The breakdown of this squadron isnt known either but it likely contains logistical support for the two operational squadrons. 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. Ultimately, Operation Credible Sport was cancelled but the FOG had proven its usefulness. ISA was highly classified. (Source). Centra Spike agents operated all around Colombia, as well as neighbouring countries where the cartels influence extended. The following article on the Intelligence Support Activity was copied from Specwarnet.net online. 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 ISA recommended covert deployment of its operatives to both airports to secure landing zones and infiltration routes. They were never used. The ISA agent was ordered to stop the recording, an order to which he complied. The operation was codenamed Amber Star, and was a joint US-British-French-Dutch effort to apprehend the suspects. 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. PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. ISA was allegedly co-operating with Task Force Ranger, and was responsible for tracking down Somali warlord Mohammed Farah Adid, through electronic surveillance and Somalian informants. Prior to Saddams capture, over 40 members of his family were captured and interrogated to determine his whereabouts with little success. The ISAs HUMINT collectors gather information from human sources via coercion and interrogation depending on the asset. They also noted the specific funding line and agreed to manage it as a priority classified line absent committee discussion. 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. > Role: HUMINT (human intelligence), SIGINT (signals intelligence), direct action. "In late 1981, ISA agents were involved in the attempt to acquire a Soviet T-72 tank, which had obsessed intelligence analysts. 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. Guerrilla insurgents in Nicaragua composed only one part of the multitude of threats facing the US With cartels all over South America creating chaos for pro-US forces, Pablo Escobar and his cartel were the targets of several US government agencies and departments, including the ISA. One problem that plagued the first attempt was the lack of valuable intelligence. 75th Rangers Working for CIA : Military - reddit Hostages were dispersed around Beirut and those with Jewish sounding names were being isolated. The decision was made to deploy another ISA unit. The exact breakdown of this squadron isnt known, however it is a reasonable assumption that its divided into troops based on the specific mission, such as airborne SIGINT or ground SIGINT. Additionally, these operative can remotely turn on a cellphone thats been turned off, which allows them to hear everything going on near it. The mandarins had inexplicably turned and ran south back to our home base leaving no rear guard for the main body. In 2003 four troops: A,B,C, and D made up the squadron. Key was the requirement to develop a competent counter resolution force. This is directed from , waaay above my pay grade yeah, I get it.. (Source). 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. Intelligence Support Activity A Complete Guide - 2020 Edition An ISA agent was secretly infiltrated into Beirut where he provided real-time intelligence on the location of the hostages. Nonetheless, it is known that these operators have shown their indispensable worth to both the intelligence and SOF communities in matters of national security, supporting Delta and SEAL Team Six operations by hitting the ground first to prep the environment: gathering actionable intelligence, pathfinding, and performing a broad range of operational support. Since incorporating under JSOC in 2003, Gray Fox has expanded into direct action and hostage rescue, showing that they may be the most diversely equipped, trained and adaptable Special Missions Unit in the SOF community. "The ISA's origins are in the Foreign Operating Group (FOG), whose origin in turn is in the 1979 overthrow of Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. Zones are prepared, field intelligence is gathered, and targets are laid out for other forces. A simultaneous raid on the targets was to be made. Well, ok we arrived at just around 1630hrs and the mandarin began. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. (Source). The ISA technicians were instrumental in the tracking and capture of a number of Red Brigades terrorists, and most probably the location of the kidnapped Dozier himself. 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. ISA was asked to form an Algerian-based plan and a Beirut-based one for rescue. 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. 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. The ISA specializes in gathering human intelligence, signals intelligence and combat. Task Force Orange: Supporting Delta Force | SOFREP The unit conducts close survelliance with cameras, even going as far as covertly entering terrorists safe houses and planting hidden cameras. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. The U.S. Army's Intelligence Support Activity is arguably the most secretive unit out of the five tier one units in the United States Military. find out more "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. Boss Cantor seemed satisfied with how the mandarins gathered the necessary hardware for the mission and then marched smartly out the door.