Royal Cape, Granite Rock and Powder Keg were some, Centra Spike and Torn Victor being other possible cover names. 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. Special Recon, Direct Action. INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL OPERATIONS - Federation of American Scientists The ISA consistently attaches itself to other units, either as a temporary or more permanent component. 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. The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include: HUMINT (HUMan INTellgence) "ISA was divided into branches of signals intelligence (SIGINT) specialists, human intelligence (HUMINT) specialists, and a highly compartmentalized direct action element, the 'shooters'. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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 May 1982, Deputy Secretary of Defense Frank Charles Carlucci III called the ISA 'uncoordinated and uncontrolled.' 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. 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?. and other specialized capabilities to support Army, joint, unified action partners, and the U.S. intelligence commu-nity. Small Wars Journal is published by Small Wars Foundation - a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. During the 1990's the unit was known as Capacity Gear. It was so simple that we didnt even need to create a nursery rhyme to recite to help us remember all the steps. Both were doing the same thing in Colombia, except Centra Spike was doing a better job, at a much lower cost. 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. Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, otherwise known as Force Recon, are a company-sized (about 200) recon and direct-action element that falls directly under the Marine Expeditionary Force. The U.S. Army Intelligence Support Activity (ISA) is a special operations unit that collects "actionable" intelligence in preparation for activities by other special operations units, particularly those related to counter-terrorism missions. The US recognized the usefulness of this unit and began surveying embassies across the world. Well, ok we arrived at just around 1630hrs and the mandarin began. ". Russia and Ukraine battle daily in the sky. His elements were being heavily tasked, and a directed intelligence pipeline was established to FOG. Cowan traveled the Lebanese countryside pinpointing the locations of Syrian anti-aircraft emplacements. Had the force been aware of the actual hostage location and situation, the force could have continued past Desert One and probably succeeded. I could tell by her skunk-eye that she had a dagger in the pipe ready to launch, so I lightened up. Typically the ISA pulls from the Green Berets due to their prior special operations experience, language skills, and autonomy. Additionally, these operative can remotely turn on a cellphone thats been turned off, which allows them to hear everything going on near it. The debris revealed a spider hole and as an operator prepared a grenade, Saddam poked his head out of the hole. (Source) At the time, the Salvadoran Army was facing attacks from leftist groups and more lethal right-wing death squads. 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? 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. Human intelligence (HUMINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) are the most common products of their operations. However, his several interventions and temporary blockage of many initiatives, showed that his primary intent was to arrest the development and contain the capability. For the four main battalions, numbering in total over 300 operators, there are different roles members could fall into. These operatives have a cover in the commercial sector, typically as an international businessperson. Primarily acting as enablers for JSOC special mission units. US Air Force Pararescue | (Source). An ISA agent was secretly infiltrated into Beirut where he provided real-time intelligence on the location of the hostages. (Source) Operatives must not look out of placeor easily recognizable. The CIA would talk directly to the warlords while the ISA provided SIGINT support and ground security for them. 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. While Delta and DEVGRU focus on direct engagement and specialized combat tactics, the ISA conducts intelligence and espionage operations at a tactical level. Known as the Confederate Air Force, a joke refencing their title, the Army of Northern Virginia. Zones are prepared, field intelligence is gathered, and targets are laid out for other forces. Eventually, agents had pinpointed the locations of a number of cartel hideouts and high-value targets, including Pablo. ISA would operate under a host of cover names to confuse anyone without the need to know. In all cases, the Congressional members voiced support. The ISA agent was ordered to stop the recording, an order to which he complied. The Cantor said nothing. Stew Smith and Jeff Nichols discuss the new testosterone to epitestosterone ratio (T/E) used at BUDS to deter use Abigail Spanberger spent almost a decade as a CIA operations officer. 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). Dozier was taken hostage and mistreated, with the Red Brigades viewing him as an ideological foe that needed to be made an example of. 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. Nowadays the ISA focuses on the preparation of the battlespace for military operations across the globe. The CIA was leading extraordinary rendition operations in Somalia in conjunction with the ISA and the help of local warlords. Most officials disliked the unit's head, Jerry King, and thus, JSOC did not send the unit in. To lawyers, this is a distinction with a difference. (Source). (Source). and direct action combat. Plus, they wouldnt have to load the car back up again the next day what a grand and magnanimous plan that proved to be. Special Air Service (SAS) | Highly recommended. They must maintain a demeanour of trustworthiness and calmness, so any approached HUMINT sources feel safe and trusted. The SIGINT group of the ISA gathered signal intelligence via aircraft, that was then passed on to NSA analysts. From 5 miles away and 4,575m above the ground, operatives could target insurgents communications via cellphone. Most ISA trainees are from Army Special Forces, meaning many have skills in CQC, sniping, counter-sniping and general tactical engagements. If an operative is in a country with an official cover, possessing a firearm can mean being sent to prison or death. His areas of focus are extremism in the Western world, military privatization and the impact of climate change on global security. 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. The unit would be immediately deployed to any country where a terrorist act against the United States had taken place, and would start providing critical intelligence, as well as setting up landing zones and infiltration routes for the counter-terrorist force. When hostages were taken in the Tehran embassy in 1980, it became clear that FOG needed to become a larger group with more resources. (amazon.com). The force is supposedly around 250-275 operators. Delta's deployment was stalled by bureaucratic dealings, so ISA mobilized its most compartmentalized unit, the direct action element, the shooters. Deployed together with a small Delta Force contingent, Centra Spike flew over Colombia in their airplanes and continued to track Escobar. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. It later took on other roles like SIGINT as battlefield requirements changed over time. A top-secret 'Army electronic surveillance team', was sent to aid the Colombians in August of 1989, as a part of Operation Heavy Shadow. What is the difference between the Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization programs recently developed vs. previous years? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; 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. The ISA also has likely integrated other new intelligence fields into its scope. "ISA was also rumoured to be operating in Bosnia in the last few years under the code-name Torn Victor. Operatives can covertly enter enemy buildings to plant cameras. 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. He scurried off to the barricade. By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies. In 2003 four troops: A,B,C, and D made up the squadron. Escobar was shot as he was trying to escape from the roof of his house. ISA was close to making the exchange, but the deal fell through at the last minute. (amazon.com), " Veritas Omnia Vincula Vincit The most elite special operations forces in the US US Navy SEALs | The selection process for the ISA prioritizes both a physical skill for field operations and a skill for intelligence operations. Smith's book lifts the lid of secrecy on the Activity, one of America's least well known Special Ops units. (Source). ", Sources: This is directed from , waaay above my pay grade yeah, I get it.. Its scope is quite large, and it often works in support of JSOC, SOCOM and even other intelligence agencies. If successful, the candidate would then continue training within ISA in such skills as parachuting, survival, weapons and intelligence gathering. (Source). A simultaneous raid on the targets was to be made. The mission support teams help actualize the other major goal of supporting other forces in a battlespace. (Source). The ISA wasn't popular within JSOC. 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. (Source). 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. Its worth noting that Bravo troop was never compromised while conducting espionage against the Assad regime in Syria. 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. As with both the establishment of JSOC, TF160/SOAR and Ranger SOF, the task was not easy. 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. The unit is organized into several elements. SIGINT operations extended to areas with overlapping guerrilla operations, such as Nicaragua, which was facing the increased foe of the Contras. They also noted the specific funding line and agreed to manage it as a priority classified line absent committee discussion. All rights reserved. Every component of the US military was involved in the Invasion of Afghanistan, including the ISA. This is especially useful in countries where men and women socializing is frowned upon outside of the family. by Michael Smith 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. They require units with combinations of trained specialized personnel, equipment, and tactics that exceed the routine capabilities of conventional military forces. FOG was developed because of a perceived need for greater intelligence-gathering capabilities for the U.S. military. ISA recommended covert deployment of its operatives to both airports to secure landing zones and infiltration routes. 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. The eventual shootout that ended Pablos life may not have directly involved the ISA, however, its efforts certainly aided in the eventual locating and killing of the cartel boss. The Intelligence Support Activity conducts its operations during and in advance of US military operations. The Cantor sent me out as usual to throw the lock, wait for our operational vehicle to pass, then shut it again. 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. The ISA also has a direct action arm comprised of men and women recruited from the US Army Delta . ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? " Under the US Central Intelligence Agency's National Clandestine Service, there is a Special Activities Division to operate without apparent national identification for plausible deniability. That night, the mandarin and I stashed our car and cut through an orchard whose northwest corner gave way to the bollards and the chain barricade. They are called upon to perform the toughest duties in the armed forces, and their actions directly affect the protection of America's freedom. The ISA specializes in gathering human intelligence, signals intelligence and combat. Reconnaissance overflights revealed a possible location where POWs, still believed to be held by the Vietnamese early in the year. ISA operatives are masters of tradecraft. The unit selects operatives for deployments based on their language proficiency and their ability to blend in with the locals. ISA members are often multilingual. The Forgotten Histories of the Codification of International Humanitarian Law in Nineteenth-Century Latin America, Crafting Strategy for Irregular Warfare: A Framework for Analysis and Action (2nd Edition), South Africas organised crime climbs to Italys levels, racing past Mexico, Somalia and Libya, Opinion | The Foreign Policies of the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG Part V: Europes Supercoke & on- the-Horizon Issues and the Middle East, Opinion | The Foreign Policies of the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG Part IV: Europes Cocaine & Meth Markets, Airstrikes, Civilian Casualties, and the Role of JAGs in the Targeting Process, Opinion | The Foreign Policies of the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG Part III: Africa, The cartels flexed their power in Tijuana and now the battle for influence is on, Organized Crime in Mexico and the Evolving Government Response, Armies are re-learning how to fight in cities, Law and the Ayman al-Zawahiri airstrike: a dozen Qs & As, Informe alerta sobre contrabando de cigarrillo, narcotrfico y Hezbol, Iran Seeks to Increase Its Influence in Latin America, Experts Warn, International Humanitarian Law in Urban Warfare, ATP 3-06/MCTP 12-10B, Urban Operations (JUL 22), Latest Atrocities Highlight the Importance of Early Warning. 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. It was Delta Forces first mission and a horrific failure. Exactly who would execute the direct-action operations, would be determined after the intelligence determine the situational necessities. As a result, ISA was almost disbanded, but Army officials succeeded in ensuring its survival, albeit on a much tighter leash. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. 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. 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). Prior to Saddams capture, over 40 members of his family were captured and interrogated to determine his whereabouts with little success. The breakdown of this squadron isnt known either but it likely contains logistical support for the two operational squadrons. "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. And with that our boss, the Cantor, doled out a mission for a two-man team of mandarins. US ARMY INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY - YouTube It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. 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. The third known squadron is the Mission Support Squadron. "In 1981, the Central Intelligence Agency, along with a covert helicopter unit, Seaspray, was involved in the secret transport of Lebanese Christian leader Bashir Gemayel back to Beirut after a round of secret talks with the President Ronald Reagan. 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. 75th Rangers Working for CIA : Military - reddit 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. Covert Action and Clandestine Activities of the Intelligence Community ISA members conducted extensive interviews with Special Forces members in the country, Lebanese Army and CIA and embassy officials. ISA was asked to form an Algerian-based plan and a Beirut-based one for rescue. I pulled out a pick and tension bar and handed them to him. Geo, take a mandarin with you, the Cantor directed without looking at me. 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 As with any clandestine unit, only so much can be known about any of the JSOC special mission units. 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. These deployments include Operation Winter Harvest, Operation Queens Hunter and their role in Operation Anaconda. These operatives were responsible for helping take down insurgent networks in Iraq. Operatives tradecraft for avoiding detection is impeccable. Few special operations forces are clad in as much secrecy as the Intelligence Support Activity. "In late 1981, ISA agents were involved in the attempt to acquire a Soviet T-72 tank, which had obsessed intelligence analysts. (Source). You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ 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. Jose Solano - Intelligence Analyst - CACI International Inc | LinkedIn A Congressional hearing was held, and the media revealed the existence of a 'classified military intelligence unit'. The Secret Army of Northern Virginia - SOAA The Cantor, busy writing, asked me how it went. It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. 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. The situation looked dire. "Gray Fox's low-profile eavesdropping planes also fly without military markings. 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. Intelligence Support Activity A Complete Guide - 2020 Edition An ISA technician with a SATCOM was provided for the operation to aid in the tracking. The Untold Story of Women in Special Operations, We Are Abandoning the Women of the Special Forces, SOAA Calls for Support of our Afghan Allies in The Hill, SOAA Supports Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret. 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. This Army Special Operations unit, goes by many names, which is indicative of the various activities, functions and environments performed by these operators. ISA operators would infiltrate either Beirut or Algiers on commercial flights to avoid tipping off the terrorists or the authorities. It was provided with a cover name, Tactical Concept Activity, and would never be acknowledged by the Pentagon. These operatives mirror the function of CIA case officers and even go through CIA training at the Farm in Virginia. In addition to covert operations, it provides the war on terrorism with the kind of so-called 'close-in' signals monitoring -- including the interception of cell phone conversations -- that helped bring down Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. 11.". Exactly who would execute the direct-action operations, would be determined after the intelligence determine the situational necessities. Two task forces of JSOC took part in the search and rescue operations, Delta Force and a detachment of the ISA. This is how we block. Once admitted, candidates must pass the operations training course, which teaches infiltration techniques, advanced air operations, offensive and off-road driving, personal defensive measures and communications. Initially, the raid appeared to be a bust until a Delta operator kicked some debris on exfil. Key was the requirement to develop a competent counter resolution force. The ISA considers ethnicity of agents when they are deployed. >Develops and . (Source), Active operational support is also a crucial role of the ISA. It is known that the unit has changed its codename over the years. 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. This time around, travel through the city was a very dangerous endeavour, with roadblocks everywhere. Good enough, I thought. As previously mentioned, its members cross train with the CIA, Americas most comprehensive civilian intelligence agency. These intelligence gathering methods outline how intelligence is gathered and what is done with it afterwards. _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-21361708-1']); Since 2003, t. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. Unit Profile. They marked secret infiltration routes and bases American forces could use if they were ever sent into the country. ISA was asked to develop a plan of action. Political bickering stalled the deployment of the agents, and finally, the operation was approved. The FOG was able to clandestinely enter Tehran and gather the required intelligence. Almost simultaneously, another truck bomb exploded in the French barracks, killing 56. We provided documents for viewing from both the Agency and DOD lawyers supporting the organization and outlining the rationale. Under Operation Winter Harvest, a small team of Delta Force technicians was dispatched to Italy to provide assistance with the search for Dozier. 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. Mission. There was a chain barricade that the Serbian police (MUPs) used to block access to a side road that junctioned with highway M4. But, it was also clear that some form of operational melding was essential to effectively address operational requirements. The following article on the Intelligence Support Activity was copied from Specwarnet.net online. Green Berets are considered unique from other special operators for various reasons, most . Some of the more well-documented operations of the ISA shed light on the general nature of the ISAs overall operations. 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. (function() { . Not wishing to be a dire critic, I found it rather novice of him, but drew another pick from my kit and threw open the lock. PDF National and Joint Intelligence Support - United States Army "Today, the ISA operates under the code name Gray Fox. (Source). At last, he came back, and, handing me the tools lamented: I couldnt get that fucker!. 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 ISA differs from its brother and sister task forces in that it is not primarily a combat-oriented team, excelling in HUMINT and SIGINT operations that allow it to provide extremely valuable intelligence to other military elements. (. He looked up at me momentarily though he did not repeat himself. 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. Enterprise Scalable Data Center Groundbreaking Ceremony