In 2003 the CIA and ISA conducted a joint operation in Somalia. Bravo and Delta troops utilize commercial or non-official cover. An ISA agent was secretly infiltrated into Beirut where he provided real-time intelligence on the location of the hostages. Political bickering stalled the deployment of the agents, and finally, the operation was approved. This intelligence then triangulated the possible location of Dozier. (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. During the 1990's the unit was known as Capacity Gear. 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. (amazon.com), " Veritas Omnia Vincula Vincit "Also in 1989, ISA was rumoured to have taken part in the hunt for the richest drug trafficker in the world, Pablo Escobar, operating under the code-name Centra Spike. ISA operatives are masters of tradecraft. (Source). All Rights Reserved, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). The ISA consistently attaches itself to other units, either as a temporary or more permanent component. 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. 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. Most ISA trainees are from Army Special Forces, meaning many have skills in CQC, sniping, counter-sniping and general tactical engagements. 11.". Being highly proficient in the collection of HUMINT and SIGINT has made them a very effective, yet specifically dedicated, intelligence task force. If an operative is in a country with an official cover, possessing a firearm can mean being sent to prison or death. ISA would operate under a host of cover names to confuse anyone without the need to know. ISA was asked to develop a plan of action. 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. Access to that road saved a considerable amount of travel time for support for an ongoing mission. However, his several interventions and temporary blockage of many initiatives, showed that his primary intent was to arrest the development and contain the capability. 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. "Today, the ISA operates under the code name Gray Fox. One of their major tasks was to create 'pathfinders'. Wickham did transfer authority to the ACSI with predictable and less than beneficial results. 160th SOAR | "On December 17, 1981, Colonel James Dozier, the highest ranking American army officer in the NATO southern European Command was kidnapped by members of the Red Brigade terrorist faction. During the operations training course, candidates are taught infiltration techniques, advanced air operations, offensive and off-road driving, personal defensive measures and communications. 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 "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. Both Army and the Agency recognized the changed nature of the world and the requirements of the emerging terrorist/hostage issues. LTG Odom acquiesced but took every opportunity to oppose actions engaging his traditional intelligence elements. and other specialized capabilities to support Army, joint, unified action partners, and the U.S. intelligence commu-nity. 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. "Gray Fox's low-profile eavesdropping planes also fly without military markings. Reconnaissance overflights revealed a possible location where POWs, still believed to be held by the Vietnamese early in the year. The direct action element reportedly trains with Delta Force and DEVGRU to maintain their skills. Before it operated under the name ISA, the group was referred to as the Field Operations Group (FOG). 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. I grabbed assault rifles and ammo can from our stash in the attic of the safe house and reluctantly handed one to Kay-Kay: You keep this damned thing on safe at all times! Candidates then are put through a battery of assessment and selection courses as well as background checks and psychological testing. The next morning arrived, but the moping mandarins came empty-handed: Ok, give me a rundown on the entire operation starting from when you arrived at the install site.. Or these operatives can clone a cellphone, allowing them to send and receive communications to and from the phone from a remote locations. The aim of the operation was to monitor cross-border raids and movements of Sandinista forces and rebels in El Salvador. They were never used. He had literally tried to muscle open the lock with tools designed for a sincerely delicate operation. It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. He later commanded both the 1/75th Rangers and the 1st Ranger Training Brigade. After the rescue attempt, then CSA Shy Meyer, convened a small group of people within Army DCSOPS to address future SOF/CT structure in the aftermath of the failure, and while still under a POTUS mandate, to be prepared to conduct an In-Extremis rescue within 10 days. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. 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. Key to the concept was that there would be a single in-house element (FOG) that either side could use e.g. 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'). Both were doing the same thing in Colombia, except Centra Spike was doing a better job, at a much lower cost. Highly detailed knowledge of an infiltration location is also key. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. Initially, the raid appeared to be a bust until a Delta operator kicked some debris on exfil. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop for free! Operatives must also go unnoticed, being able to blend into crowds and not draw attention. Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. and direct action combat. 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. The SIGINT group of the ISA gathered signal intelligence via aircraft, that was then passed on to NSA analysts. Candidates pulled from computer records, or by word of mouth were required to pass a tough selection course, physical and psychological tests. The rescue force was forced to launch with sketchy data forcing a worst-case force list. What is the difference between the Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization programs recently developed vs. previous years? Gen Meyer, Gen Vaught (DAMO-OD), and LTC Jim Longhofer (DAMO-ODSO), traveled to Langley and met with the new Director and his operational elements director. Eliciting information from select sources, The exploitation of documents, media and materials. (Source) The US military sought to carry out intelligence operations without the direct need of US intelligence agencies. (Source). The ISAs execution of SIGINT monitoring was so successful that the month-long operation was extended to three years. The unit is organized into several elements. and other specialized capabilities to support Army, joint, unified action partners, and the U.S. intelligence commu-nity. The moronic mandarins merely blinked and nothing more. Working closely with Special Forces and the CIA, Gray Fox also places operatives inside hostile territory. Ultimately, Operation Credible Sport was cancelled but the FOG had proven its usefulness. The unit selects operatives for deployments based on their language proficiency and their ability to blend in with the locals. The ISA's HUMINT collectors gather information from human sources via coercion and interrogation depending on the asset. Deployed together with a small Delta Force contingent, Centra Spike flew over Colombia in their airplanes and continued to track Escobar. 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. An investigation by journalist Mark Bowden (author of Blackhawk Down) revealed that in 1989, the Colombian government asked for US help in tracking down Escobar. They also noted the specific funding line and agreed to manage it as a priority classified line absent committee discussion. Plus, they wouldnt have to load the car back up again the next day what a grand and magnanimous plan that proved to be. 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. Centra Spike was withdrawn in 1993 for a temporary assignment in Somalia to aid US special forces there, but resumed the hunt later in the year. Along with reviewing the security and organization again, ISA was also tasked with formulating plans for reprisals against the Syrians who had shot down two US fighters. Bravo troop tackles the extremely difficult target countries like Syria which had a sophisticated counterintelligence network. "Cowan put together another five-man team, but their deployment was stalled for three weeks. Electronic specialists and SIGINT operators comprised part of the force. Key was the requirement to develop a competent counter resolution force. With the expansion, the FOG has renamed the ISA and officially established as a unit on January 29th, 1981. (. There was a task I did for the Cantor routinely and at a moments notice. 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 the years. ISA intelligence specialists, K9 units, security experts and demolition experts were sent to the country undercover as military advisers. His areas of focus are extremism in the Western world, military privatization and the impact of climate change on global security. Unfortunately, the police were either heavily corrupted or unwilling to arrest Escobar, and the intelligence went to waste. Afghanistan: The Fox and The Anaconda. (Source). An operation was planned for their rescue, with Seaspray, Delta Force and the ISA all playing a role. action is "necessary to support identifiable foreign policy objectives of the United States, and is When the CIA took credit for Centra Spike's work, the Army became furious and a competition was arranged between the two units. US Army Rangers | 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. However, our personal favorite is a toss-up between Cemetery Wind and Gray Fox. 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. 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; However, the CIA couldnt provide these answers so Delta turned to the FOG. 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!. But it had no effect on me or what I was doing not for now at least. 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. 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. I delivered the unemotional skinny to the Cantor who neither commented nor looked up from his work. Direct action (DA) is a term used in the context of military special operations for small-scale raids, ambushes, sabotage or similar actions. These deployments include Operation Winter Harvest, Operation Queens Hunter and their role in Operation Anaconda. (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. The strategists decided the best option would be to send an ISA team in to provide accurate intelligence on the situation, and to prepare to secure landing zones for a Delta rescue force. Such as procuring equipment, getting funding for operations/training, and human resources functions. The Cantor said nothing. The ISA considers ethnicity of agents when they are deployed. 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. 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. Originally referred to as Task Force Orange, other names have included Centra Spike, Torn Victor and Gray Fox. Some of ISA's most recent deployments was in 1993 in Somalia. That close-holding of his cards was typical of him. 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. The Chiefs 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. find out more It later took on other roles like SIGINT as battlefield requirements changed over time. The other half flew to Cyprus to join the rest of the rescue force. ISA was asked to form an Algerian-based plan and a Beirut-based one for rescue. The ISA has gone by many name: Intelligence Support Activity or Mission Support Activity, and nicknamed The Activity, Task Force Orange . "ISA was also rumoured to be operating in Bosnia in the last few years under the code-name Torn Victor. The vast majority of their operations are clouded not just in shadow, but in complete darkness. They set up protection for the president and installed a security system. 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As previously mentioned, its members cross train with the CIA, Americas most comprehensive civilian intelligence agency. Royal Cape, Granite Rock and Powder Keg were some, Centra Spike and Torn Victor being other possible cover names. ", Sources: By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ . The unit's history, the politics that have shaped it and the operations it has carried out are recounted in great and fascinating detail. The survey was successful, which led defense officials to create ad hoc Special Forces units to survey US embassies in hotspots around the world. Its scope is quite large, and it often works in support of JSOC, SOCOM and even other intelligence agencies. Since 2003, t. In Evaluating Immunities before a Special Tribunal for Aggression Against Ukraine, the Type of Tribunal Matters, Chinas Ferry Tale Taiwan Invasion Plan Is A Legal Nightmare, China Maritime Report No. 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. 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. (Source). Units in Sarajevo tracked Karadzic electronically, while other agents were on the ground in Pale, Karadzic's home. These are primarily preparation intelligence and tactical/ strategic intelligence for active operations. One such organization, the Red Brigades, composed of far-left communist-leaning extremists, kidnapped U.S. Brigadier General James Dozier. 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. All rights reserved. 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. Parsing one from the other can be quite difficult and largely determined by the location and nature of the target. The DCS, G-2 is the Director of the Operational Environment Enterprise (OEE) and author of the Army's approved current Operational Environment (OE). Two task forces of JSOC took part in the search and rescue operations, Delta Force and a detachment of the ISA. The operation, code-named Great Falcon, made a deal with the Iraqi government for a T-72, in exchange for 175mm cannons. 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. 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. 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 . Featured Book: (Source). Everyone in the unit is on on the Department of the Armys Special Roster, which means they dont exist. For obvious reasons, the unit doesnt exactly publicize their makeup. ODSO/FOG overcame much of this through replication of capability generously funded and supported by CIA. 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. Killer Elite 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. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ As a result, ISA was almost disbanded, but Army officials succeeded in ensuring its survival, albeit on a much tighter leash. "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. 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. The SEALs, SAS, and SBS added additional capabilities over time, responding to the needs of modern conflict. The unit exists in an altered form today, but it is an example as to how the USG can effectively mix Title 10 and 50 rules to achieve a common end and how conventional bureaucracies can stifle needed imaginative resolutions. (Dominique Sumner and Peter Tomich). Special Operations (SO) encompass the use of small units in direct or indirect military actions focused on strategic or operational objectives. Since its inception, the Activity has been providing invaluable intelligence and support to many United States operations. 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Colonel Jerry King retained his position as the head of the group, now 100-strong and headquartered in a nondescript building in Arlington, Virginia. It was completely hidden from view, covering its existence with a series of regularly changing code names like Centra Spike, Royal Cape, and Grey Fox. Little is known about the organization or its activities, but it is clear that they serve as a. They began forming their own plan for storming the airplane and liberating the hostages. Part of a Delta-DEVGRU task force, ISA provided intelligence on the whereabouts of Bosnian Serb war crimes suspects. 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. Under Operation Winter Harvest, a small team of Delta Force technicians was dispatched to Italy to provide assistance with the search for Dozier. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. US Army intelligence defines HUMINT as including: The sources of this information can come from enemy combatants, including regular armed forces, and civilian sources. "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. This is directed from , waaay above my pay grade yeah, I get it.. Their role is to bridge the gaps when it is simply too dangerous for other agencies to put boots on the ground, and as these gaps change in every operational environment, so too do their responsibilities and activities. The US Department of Defense has defined direct action as "Short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensive actions conducted as a special operation in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments and which employ specialized military capabilities to seize, destroy, capture, exploit, recover, or damage designated targets. Every modern military relies on intelligence, and the US military is a voracious consumer of intelligence, from both an analytical and functional standpoint. The third known squadron is the Mission Support Squadron. The most important thing to know is that intelligence drives "direct action" operations. Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden ISA operatives are highly skilled in the various arts of HUMINT gathering including: (Source). The cyber operations team extends into other offsets of intelligence gathering, including OSINT, cyber threat intelligence and cyber warfare. To operatorsnot so much. They must maintain a demeanour of trustworthiness and calmness, so any approached HUMINT sources feel safe and trusted. Operatives infiltrated internet cafes in Baghdad and conducted flyover operations in aircraft filled with signal interception gear.
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