(Source). "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. Traditions (religious, political, societal). 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. (Source) The US military sought to carry out intelligence operations without the direct need of US intelligence agencies. After a massive effort, including remote viewers from the United States, turned up nothing, a team of ISA signals intelligence specialists was also sent over to Italy to provide any assistance they could, along with sophisticated equipment and specially outfitted helicopters. 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. This is directed from , waaay above my pay grade yeah, I get it.. The US wanted a team to covertly survey the situation on the ground and provide officials with a survey of the US embassy. These operatives have a cover in the commercial sector, typically as an international businessperson. 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. 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. While driving through northern Lebanon, Cowan and his mates suffered several close calls with Syrian roadblocks and patrols. ISA members conducted extensive interviews with Special Forces members in the country, Lebanese Army and CIA and embassy officials. Both were doing the same thing in Colombia, except Centra Spike was doing a better job, at a much lower cost. More technical training on SIGINT, such as transmission and signals interpretation is also a component of the training. (function() { Bravo and Delta troops utilize commercial or non-official cover. See Intelligence Collection Directive (ICD) 112, . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. This site uses cookies. On December 2, 1993, with help from Centra Spike and a mobile Colombian surveillance team, Escobar's hideout was pinpointed, and Colombian police moved in. Featured Book: If successful, the candidate would then continue training within ISA in such skills as parachuting, survival, weapons and intelligence gathering. Operation Anaconda was, by most standards, a very difficult engagement. These techniques include intelligence gathering, infiltration and intelligence support. He would be given instructions and equipment along the way, and was required to perform certain assignments, for example, setting up a SATCOM system. Secret Warriors: Inside the Covert Military Operations of the Reagan Era by Steven Emerson However, the ISA intercepted Iraqi communications that corroborated intelligence collected from his family members. The Cantor said nothing. On the ground, these operatives can use a directional antenna programmed to pick up a specific cellphones signal, even if it was turned off, providing Delta Force with a target building to raid. 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. 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. So where are the pilots? During the operations training course, candidates are taught infiltration techniques, advanced air operations, offensive and off-road driving, personal defensive measures and communications. Years before its actual formation, the need for the ISA, or an operational entity like it, was already being examined. Special Recon, Direct Action. What does one actually do with such persons? The FOG was re-named the Intelligence Support Activity (ISA), and given an initial budget of $7 million. I though not wanting to be the harsh critic at jump street found it rather novice of them the way they got their camera compromised. "In 1984, political instability swept through the Seychelles, a group of islands off the coast of Africa. The Cantor finally said something, and he said it very very loudly when the mandarins lost control of some weapons and encrypted radios. (. (Source). A goodly amount of minutes went by. Working closely with Special Forces and the CIA, Gray Fox also places operatives inside hostile territory. Since its inception, the Activity has been providing invaluable intelligence and support to many United States operations. Lgion trangre (French Foreign Legion) | A critical component of clandestine activity is the ability to infiltrate enemy territory ahead of more formal military action. The force is supposedly around 250-275 operators. ISA was highly classified. US intelligence gathering methods centre around the US intelligence process, composed of the phases Plan, Prepare, Collect, Process, and Produce. "Currently, ISA is believed to be under control of JSOC, and published accounts have it organized into administration, training, SIGINT, HUMINT and direct action elements. Like many special operations groups, their active arsenal is not likely a small rigid loadout, it is a range of various weapons that are available to suit the units needs. Such as procuring equipment, getting funding for operations/training, and human resources functions. Case officers also target and recruit potential assets. In the 1980s, extremist parties on both sides of the political spectrum plagued Italy. The survey was successful, which led defense officials to create ad hoc Special Forces units to survey US embassies in hotspots around the world. With the expansion, the FOG has renamed the ISA and officially established as a unit on January 29th, 1981. "ISA's existence became public in 1982 as a result of a scandal involving US POWs in Vietnam. The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include: HUMINT (HUMan INTellgence) For the four main battalions, numbering in total over 300 operators, there are different roles members could fall into. 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. 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. Since 2003, t. Known as the Confederate Air Force, a joke refencing their title, the Army of Northern Virginia. In sum, Uniforms do Clandestine, Civvies do Covert. Candidates pulled from computer records, or by word of mouth were required to pass a tough selection course, physical and psychological tests. Eliciting information from select sources, The exploitation of documents, media and materials. Both Army and the Agency recognized the changed nature of the world and the requirements of the emerging terrorist/hostage issues. They began forming their own plan for storming the airplane and liberating the hostages. The Intelligence Support Activity, commonly called "The Activity" . Intelligence Support Activity > Service branch: Army > Also known as: Gray Fox, ISA, USISA, The Activity . Operatives must also go unnoticed, being able to blend into crowds and not draw attention. 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. 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 third known squadron is the Mission Support Squadron. 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. Additionally, these operative can remotely turn on a cellphone thats been turned off, which allows them to hear everything going on near it. Lets just settle on Gray Fox for now, as these operators fill in the gray area between Title 50 intelligence gathering and Title 10 unconventional warfare operations. All the tools you need to an in-depth Intelligence Support Activity Self-Assessment. That close-holding of his cards was typical of him. ISA operators were said to be so skilled that they could tell whether a tank needed a tune-up from background noise of transmissions. "The government realized the importance of the FOG. It was Delta Forces first mission and a horrific failure. Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden The whole force drove north as planned, putting Kay and me upfront to clear ahead and report back to the assault force. In 2003 four troops: A,B,C, and D made up the squadron. It was so simple that we didnt even need to create a nursery rhyme to recite to help us remember all the steps. Boss Cantor seemed satisfied with how the mandarins gathered the necessary hardware for the mission and then marched smartly out the door. One problem that plagued the first attempt was the lack of valuable intelligence. (Source). When operatives are in less restrictive environments they can often be seen carrying weapons used by locals, most often in the form of AKs. A Congressional hearing was held, and the media revealed the existence of a 'classified military intelligence unit'. a Title 10 operation or a Title 50 operation. Kay-Kay and I sat at a table jamming some 12 magazines and chatting over our actions at our blocking position. Tools like radios, computers and lockpicks are much more crucial to the success of its missions. They acquainted themselves with the layout and landmarks of the city for future reference. 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. to FOG, SOG, SAD, SMU, ISA, and, FID, the focus of which is the ISA through 2015. The rapidly deteriorating situation in the country prompted the United States to create a small Special Forces unit with the purpose of surveying the US embassy. (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. 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. Additionally, conceal meant can be a factor in weapon selection too. Had the force been aware of the actual hostage location and situation, the force could have continued past Desert One and probably succeeded. When conducting more integrated operations with other parts of the military, the skill of intelligence support comes into play. Authors cartoon depicting the mandarins installing the soon-to-be compromised surveillance camera. Hostages were dispersed around Beirut and those with Jewish sounding names were being isolated. ISA focuses on gathering human intelligence based on contact with field agents, and signals intelligence (intercepted communications) to support Delta Force and DEVGRU operations. There was a task I did for the Cantor routinely and at a moments notice. Their unique abilities are called upon when other special operations forces have not been able to complete their mission due to a gap in intelligence. Funding was to be a joint undertaking. 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. Few special operations forces are clad in as much secrecy as the Intelligence Support Activity. Italian forces conducted the raid itself; rescuing Dozier and returning him to the US without a single casualty. Unfortunately, the hostages were dispersed throughout the country, and the chance never came for a second attempt, but the seeds were planted for the Intelligence Support Activity. 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). var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; The rescue force was forced to launch with sketchy data forcing a worst-case force list. These are primarily preparation intelligence and tactical/ strategic intelligence for active operations. ISA. Every component of the US military was involved in the Invasion of Afghanistan, including the ISA. 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ODSO/FOG overcame much of this through replication of capability generously funded and supported by CIA. In 2003 the CIA and ISA conducted a joint operation in Somalia. When hostages were taken in the Tehran embassy in 1980, it became clear that FOG needed to become a larger group with more resources. Or these operatives can clone a cellphone, allowing them to send and receive communications to and from the phone from a remote locations. find out more 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; FOG was developed because of a perceived need for greater intelligence-gathering capabilities for the U.S. military. 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. We provided documents for viewing from both the Agency and DOD lawyers supporting the organization and outlining the rationale. In 1979 the need for a dedicated special operations intelligence unit was solidified following the overthrowing of Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include: HUMINT (HUMan INTellgence) However, his several interventions and temporary blockage of many initiatives, showed that his primary intent was to arrest the development and contain the capability. All information and multimedia on Specwar.info comes from a wide number of sources. (Dominique Sumner and Peter Tomich). The CIA would talk directly to the warlords while the ISA provided SIGINT support and ground security for them. . 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. Bickering between the CIA and JSOC further complicated matters. The ISA also has likely integrated other new intelligence fields into its scope. ISA operatives are highly skilled in the various arts of HUMINT gathering including: (Source). The capture was to happen as he would be heading south to the city of Vlasenica. Every modern military relies on intelligence, and the US military is a voracious consumer of intelligence, from both an analytical and functional standpoint. It is tasked to collect actionable intelligence in advance of missions by other US special operations forces . 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). Special Operations Forces: By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies. The moronic mandarins merely blinked and nothing more. The support provided can come in a range of different forms. It has since changed names several times to avoid media publicity, having been alternately known as the Tactical Concept Activity, the Tactical Coordination Detachment, the Tactical Support Team, and the Studies and Analysis Activity (SAA), among other designations. This has been more visible in their operations in Afghanistan, Operation Winter Harvest and Operation Queens Hunter. There are also teams within the ISA who can conduct direct action missions should the need arise. They discovered there was no co-ordination between them, and vital information regarding terrorist attacks was not being shared. During the war on terror it was responsible for hunting hunting high value persons. (Source). 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. But, ISA also sponsored a private rescue mission by Vietnam War veteran Bo Gritz, providing him with thousands of dollars worth of communications equipment, cameras, along with plane tickets and intelligence photos. They must maintain a demeanour of trustworthiness and calmness, so any approached HUMINT sources feel safe and trusted. People know ISA mostly for its involvement in Operation Anaconda. His elements were being heavily tasked, and a directed intelligence pipeline was established to FOG. 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. 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. 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. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. This Intelligence Support Activity All-Inclusive Self-Assessment enables You to be that person. The authors note that "All information used in this article has been obtained from publicly available, open source documents." THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ The ISAs execution of SIGINT monitoring was so successful that the month-long operation was extended to three years. The selection process for the ISA prioritizes both a physical skill for field operations and a skill for intelligence operations. (Source). 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 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. (Source), Active operational support is also a crucial role of the ISA. (Source). Wickham did transfer authority to the ACSI with predictable and less than beneficial results. Candidates then are put through a battery of assessment and selection courses as well as background checks and psychological testing. The plan involved flying feet above the turbulent Mediterranean Sea, at night, through hostile airspace. 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 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.