The US recognized the usefulness of this unit and began surveying embassies across the world. The unit was raised in 1979 as the Foreign Operating Group (FOG), who was created to overthrow the Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. One such organization, the Red Brigades, composed of far-left communist-leaning extremists, kidnapped U.S. Brigadier General James Dozier. 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. All information and multimedia on Specwar.info comes from a wide number of sources. Both Army and the Agency recognized the changed nature of the world and the requirements of the emerging terrorist/hostage issues. ISA recommended covert deployment of its operatives to both airports to secure landing zones and infiltration routes. HUMINT-related activities at the Department of Defense and Defense Intelligence Agency level, subsequent to the disestablishment of the DHS, included continued issuance of DoD directives or instructions governing elements of HUMINT operations - including those concerning human source validation ( Document 44 ), creation of the since As the name implies, SIGINT Squadron is responsible for ISAs signals intelligence mission. 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. Prior to Saddams capture, over 40 members of his family were captured and interrogated to determine his whereabouts with little success. October 16, 2020 They are known by many names: 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). Title 10 is the broad statute regarding what DOD is authorized to do. Operatives can covertly enter enemy buildings to plant cameras. This Intelligence Support Activity All-Inclusive Self-Assessment enables You to be that person. (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. Killer Elite (Source). It is after all, not a strictly combat-oriented role like its other Tier 1 operators. Zones are prepared, field intelligence is gathered, and targets are laid out for other forces. Bickering between the CIA and JSOC further complicated matters. The DCS, G-2 is the Director of the Operational Environment Enterprise (OEE) and author of the Army's approved current Operational Environment (OE). US Army Special Forces | The ISA agent was ordered to stop the recording, an order to which he complied. Retired Army Col. Paris Davis stood in the White House as President Biden draped the Medal of Honor around his neck, nearly Chief Special Warfare Operator Michael T. Ernst died following a "military freefall training accident" on Feb. 19 in Marana Lt. Col. Collin Charlie Christopherson, the commander of the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, was arrested How much do you know about the morale machine that's been deploying with U.S. troops since WWII? The Pentagon's Spies: Military Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Activities Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden The ISA considers ethnicity of agents when they are deployed. 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; 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. The terrain was extremely rugged, the enemy was far more entrenched than anticipated, and Murphys Law was in full effect. Gen Meyer demurred on the request, citing the several parts of the world where Army FOG personnel were actively supporting SOF elements, the Agency, and CINC. US Air Force Pararescue | Few special operations forces are clad in as much secrecy as the Intelligence Support Activity. 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. (Source). His elements were being heavily tasked, and a directed intelligence pipeline was established to FOG. 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. Both sides would work together on developing the intel, and then a decision would be made regarding a specific operational tasking to avoid statutory conflict. While Delta and DEVGRU focus on direct engagement and specialized combat tactics, the ISA conducts intelligence and espionage operations at a tactical level. 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 following article on the Intelligence Support Activity was copied from Specwarnet.net online. (Source). "During the 1983 American invasion of Grenada, special forces units were plagued by lack of useful and up-to-date intelligence. 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. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! However, the CIA couldnt provide these answers so Delta turned to the FOG. 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). The Secret Army of Northern Virginia - SOAA The selection process and training for special operations groups are secret. The unit was raised in 1979 as the Foreign Operating Group (FOG), who was created to overthrow the Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. Operators from the unit entered Nicaragua using false passports, and proceeded to photograph the embassy from every angle, record the types of locks on all doors, inside and outside, record the number of exits and windows, and finally drew up the internal layout of the building. Exactly who would execute the direct-action operations, would be determined after the intelligence determine the situational necessities. 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. Additionally, ISA recruits from other branches of the US military and potentially elsewhere in the intelligence community. Key was the requirement to develop a competent counter resolution force. His areas of focus are extremism in the Western world, military privatization and the impact of climate change on global security. (Source). "Known as the Intelligence Support Activity, or ISA, when it was established in . Spec Ops Profile: Intelligence Support Activity | Military.com Due to their specialization in intelligence, they can operate as vanguard teams to support another units operations. Intelligence picked up reports that the two, along with other Sudanese officials were the targets of Libyan-sponsored terrorist assassinations. The unit's missions range from Latin America, fighting communist guerrillas and drugs barons, to Africa, the Middle East and central Asia, tracking down terrorists. All rights reserved. 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. Tools like radios, computers and lockpicks are much more crucial to the success of its missions. 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During these operations, the ISA operated alongside other combat groups, providing them with signals intelligence support and field intelligence, including HUMINT. 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 . Officials developed a contingency plan for the new situation: ISA operators were to infiltrate the city and confirm the locations of the hostages, as well as make contact with the Lebanese Christian militia. 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. 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'). 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'). Some of the more well-documented operations of the ISA shed light on the general nature of the ISAs overall operations. They also provided protection for numerous Arabian princes, and established good contacts while down there. 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. About: Intelligence Support Activity - DBpedia 25: More Chinese Ferry Tales: China's Use of Civilian Shipping in Military Activities, 2021-2022, Hospital Ships: A Vital Asset for SOUTHCOM and South American Navies, The Goshen Massacre and the Specter of Cartel Spillover Into the US, Dangerous Alliances: Russias Strategic Inroads in Latin America, Year Ahead Emerging Technologies and the Collection of Battlefield Evidence, How Does Matter Matter In International Conflict and Security? This Army Special Operations unit, goes by many names, which is indicative of the various activities, functions and environments performed by these operators. >Develops and . 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. Check, chief! and she yanked the gat our of my hand. Small Wars Journal is published by Small Wars Foundation - a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The vast majority of their operations are clouded not just in shadow, but in complete darkness. The Elite Within the Elite: A Guide to U.S. Special Forces 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. Key to the concept was that there would be a single in-house element (FOG) that either side could use e.g. ". Few special operations forces are clad in as much secrecy as the Intelligence Support Activity. 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?. Originally the ISA operated as a tactical arm of the National Security Agency. Green Berets are considered unique from other special operators for various reasons, most . In all cases, the Congressional members voiced support. 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. The most important thing to know is that intelligence drives "direct action" operations. This is how we block. The planners in DAMO-ODSO were acutely aware of the different legal authorities contained in Title 10 and Title 50 statutes. ISA would operate under a host of cover names to confuse anyone without the need to know. > Role: HUMINT (human intelligence), SIGINT (signals intelligence), direct action. (Source). During the operation, a rivalry developed between Centra Spike, and a CIA intelligence unit named Majestic Eagle. 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. The exact makeup of ISAs force structure is hard to determine. PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. In line with their proficiency in infiltration, they had an array of passports, credit cards and falsified documents to allow easy movement between territories. There was a task I did for the Cantor routinely and at a moments notice. Most officials disliked the unit's head, Jerry King, and thus, JSOC did not send the unit in. Geo, take a mandarin with you, the Cantor directed without looking at me. SIGINT operations extended to areas with overlapping guerrilla operations, such as Nicaragua, which was facing the increased foe of the Contras. 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. ISA: Soldier Spies of the Intelligence Support Activity Members of FOG infiltrated Nicaragua using false passports. What does one actually do with such persons? Every modern military relies on intelligence, and the US military is a voracious consumer of intelligence, from both an analytical and functional standpoint. 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 Im telling you, they are packed parachutes for you; all you have to do is jump they dont need any training or preparation they can do it all!. Now, shes a third-term Virginia congresswoman. In the summer of 1980, FOG agents were infiltrated into Teheran to report back on the hostages' whereabouts, movements of the Iranians, as well as to recruit local agents. Marpat Camo Test |. The ISA team left Beirut in January 1984. (Source), The ISAs selection and training is geared towards intelligence specialisation despite conducting occasional direct engagement. Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. The selection process for the ISA prioritizes both a physical skill for field operations and a skill for intelligence operations. (Source) At the time, the Salvadoran Army was facing attacks from leftist groups and more lethal right-wing death squads. It was provided with a cover name, Tactical Concept Activity, and would never be acknowledged by the Pentagon. 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