The Intelligence Support Activity conducts its operations during and in advance of US military operations. It is unclear how often the ISA interrogates subjects, though given their covert operations they likely at least interrogate high-value targets. Additionally, conceal meant can be a factor in weapon selection too. 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. "When the first rescue attempt of the hostages in Iran failed, a second attempt, code-named Honey Badger, immediately started. "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. 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. Well, ok we arrived at just around 1630hrs and the mandarin began. "The government realized the importance of the FOG. (Dominique Sumner and Peter Tomich). 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. Get the weekly email from Grey Dynamics that makes reading intel articles and reports actually enjoyable. What was needed was a SOF unit devoted to intelligence gathering and preparing the battlespace for other SOF operators. While the nerdiest Green Berets and special operators comprise the bulk of ISA, there are also non-traditional operatives who have not passed the selection course. 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. The Intelligence Support Activity, commonly called "The Activity" . 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. 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; The fleet was comprised of 15 different types of aircraft for a combined total of 40 aircraft, all decked out with SIGINT interception technology. However, his several interventions and temporary blockage of many initiatives, showed that his primary intent was to arrest the development and contain the capability. Moscow Should Prepare For Probable US Nuclear Aggression: Reports Russian Military Journal, Destroying American Monster Abrams: Pro-Russian Group Release A How-To Video, Dr. Mary E. 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The cyber operations team extends into other offsets of intelligence gathering, including OSINT, cyber threat intelligence and cyber warfare. Since 2003, t. Smith's book lifts the lid of secrecy on the Activity, one of America's least well known Special Ops units. 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Covert operations are shrouded in plausible deniability. Intelligence Support Activity > Service branch: Army > Also known as: Gray Fox, ISA, USISA, The Activity . It is known that the unit has changed its codename over . (Source). It was so simple that we didnt even need to create a nursery rhyme to recite to help us remember all the steps. World conditions in the early 1980s suggested that some capability was required to address the ambiguous conflicts of each Title authority into some form of credible operational capability. The unit's history, the politics that have shaped it and the operations it has carried out are recounted in great and fascinating detail. This Army Special Operations unit, goes by many names, which is indicative of the various activities, functions and environments performed by these operators. Primarily acting as enablers for JSOC special mission units. Some units specialize in it, such as the Navy SEALs and 75th Ranger Regiment, and other units, such as US Army Special Forces, have DA capabilities but focus more on other operations. Tools like radios, computers and lockpicks are much more crucial to the success of its missions. 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. A DOD lawyer was assigned to the development planning, and Col Jerry King (MG Vaught's Chief of Staff for the Iran JTF) became the first head of the FOG. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. 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. US Army Special Forces | The terrain was extremely rugged, the enemy was far more entrenched than anticipated, and Murphys Law was in full effect. "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. 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. The negotiations were going so well that Iraq decided to throw in a Mil Mi-24 Hind D helicopter and a MiG-25 fighter-interceptor. 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. Marpat Camo Test |. Access to that road saved a considerable amount of travel time for support for an ongoing mission. 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. 11.". The ISA initially had only support activity and HUMINT gathering functions. The support provided can come in a range of different forms. Clothing worn by locals, even in specific areas. 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? I pulled out a pick and tension bar and handed them to him. Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. Lgion trangre (French Foreign Legion) | So there they were sitting in our Tactical Operations Center in Bosnia waiting to be integrated into our PIFWC hunting operations. 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. Such as procuring equipment, getting funding for operations/training, and human resources functions. "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. It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. "Apparently, ISA's direct action element was also put on alert during the hijacking of the Italian cruise ship, Achille Lauro. (Source), The tactics and techniques of the ISA are some of the most unique among all the JSOC special operations groups. The ISA agent was ordered to stop the recording, an order to which he complied. The situation looked dire. "In 1982, ISA SIGINT specialists took part in Operation Queens Hunter, a Seaspray operation in the skies above El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. 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. Upon return to the Pentagon, he re-assigned the ACSI POC out of FOG-related issues. 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 In effect, the ISAs exploitation of signal intelligence saved the lives of 100s of US soldiers from the 10th Mountain and 101st Airborne divisions. It was Delta Forces first mission and a horrific failure. The operation, code-named Great Falcon, made a deal with the Iraqi government for a T-72, in exchange for 175mm cannons. As the name implies, SIGINT Squadron is responsible for ISAs signals intelligence mission. 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 ISA is perhaps the most major outlier doctrinally from its other, better known, counterparts within JSOC and SOCOM as a whole. 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