Smith's book lifts the lid of secrecy on the Activity, one of America's least well known Special Ops units. 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. In the aftermath, the FOG was hard at work gathering intelligence in Iran in preparation for Operation Credible Sport, the second attempt to rescue the hostages. It is known that the unit has changed its codename over . An ISA technician with a SATCOM was provided for the operation to aid in the tracking. Centra Spike was withdrawn in 1993 for a temporary assignment in Somalia to aid US special forces there, but resumed the hunt later in the year. All information and multimedia on Specwar.info comes from a wide number of sources. This extends beyond knowledge of things like general location, language and culture. >Develops and . (Source). Geo, take a mandarin with you, the Cantor directed without looking at me. 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). Killer Elite Operatives tradecraft for avoiding detection is impeccable. "When TWA Flight 847 was hijacked on June 14, 1985, America's counter-terrorist forces went on full alert. The ISA consistently attaches itself to other units, either as a temporary or more permanent component. 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? Gray Fox was formed in 1980 in response to the infamous failed rescue attempt of American hostages under Operation Eagle Claw in the Tehran embassy. A much more classified component was a solely-US effort codenamed Green Light, focusing specifically on former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. The cyber operations team extends into other offsets of intelligence gathering, including OSINT, cyber threat intelligence and cyber warfare. The US military and many of its allies consider DA one of the basic special operations missions. The Joint Special Operations Command and the frequently-renamed Intelligence Support Activity are similar units. 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. Join SOFREP for insider access and analysis. 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. Tracking dummy targets over Medellin, Centra Spike managed to pinpoint their locations within 200 meters, while Majestic Eagle came no closer than four miles. 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 Cantor finally said something, and he said it very very loudly when the mandarins lost control of some weapons and encrypted radios. It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. 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. Since its inception, the Activity has been providing invaluable intelligence and support to many United States operations. That close-holding of his cards was typical of him. LTG Odom acquiesced but took every opportunity to oppose actions engaging his traditional intelligence elements. Highly recommended. Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Operations Response Team (SORT), " Veritas Omnia Vincula Vincit (Source). The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include: HUMINT (HUMan INTellgence) 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 FOG was able to clandestinely enter Tehran and gather the required intelligence. Along with Queens Hunter, ISA was involved in many operations across Central America, in Panama, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. 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. Get the weekly email from Grey Dynamics that makes reading intel articles and reports actually enjoyable. Operatives can covertly enter enemy buildings to plant cameras. 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They also noted the specific funding line and agreed to manage it as a priority classified line absent committee discussion. The following article on the Intelligence Support Activity was copied from Specwarnet.net online. The other half flew to Cyprus to join the rest of the rescue force. This is a potentially significant compromise. the Cantor lamented in earnest. It is after all, not a strictly combat-oriented role like its other Tier 1 operators. They discovered there was no co-ordination between them, and vital information regarding terrorist attacks was not being shared. "The government realized the importance of the FOG. They set up protection for the president and installed a security system. Gaining entry into the ISA is not easy; candidates already must be part of a special operations forces group. The Intelligence Support Activity (ISA), the 1st Capabilities Integration Group (Airborne), or simply The Activity is a component of the US Army and acts as a dedicated intelligence group for SOCOM. The specialists, nicknamed 'knob turners' operated sophisticated electronic eavesdropping equipment located in the back cabin of specially-outfitted Seaspray Beechcraft 100 airplanes. Prior to Saddams capture, over 40 members of his family were captured and interrogated to determine his whereabouts with little success. The most important thing to know is that intelligence drives "direct action" operations. FOG was developed because of a perceived need for greater intelligence-gathering capabilities for the U.S. military. 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. 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 unit is provided with the best equipment money can buy and it is known it maintained a fleet of aircraft at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The authors note that "All information used in this article has been obtained from publicly available, open source documents." This site uses cookies. Support Veteran Journalism . 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. At last, he came back, and, handing me the tools lamented: I couldnt get that fucker!. The Cantor sent me out as usual to throw the lock, wait for our operational vehicle to pass, then shut it again. Special Recon, Direct Action. I delivered the unemotional skinny to the Cantor who neither commented nor looked up from his work. In the 1980s, extremist parties on both sides of the political spectrum plagued Italy. We locked the chain back up behind it and returned to base. "ISA was also rumoured to be operating in Bosnia in the last few years under the code-name Torn Victor. So where are the pilots? During the war on terror it was responsible for hunting hunting high value persons. Key was the requirement to develop a competent counter resolution force. and other specialized capabilities to support Army, joint, unified action partners, and the U.S. intelligence commu-nity. 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. Delta Force and SEAL Team Six were scrambled in preparation to liberate the hostages if needed, as the airplane hopped back and forth from Beirut to Algiers. Traditions (religious, political, societal). The ISA team left Beirut in January 1984. One of their major tasks was to create 'pathfinders'. Landing zones were established, Lebanese militias contacted for help, and plans formulated for a commando force. find out more Read Next: Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 operators on the loose? To operatorsnot so much. The fleet was comprised of 15 different types of aircraft for a combined total of 40 aircraft, all decked out with SIGINT interception technology. 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. By Almighty God and with honor, It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. Intelligence Support Activity provides US special forces with intelligence gatherers, man hunters, assassins and deep penetration agents. 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. Mission. "In May 1982, Deputy Secretary of Defense Frank Charles Carlucci III called the ISA 'uncoordinated and uncontrolled.' (Source), Under the operational codename Centra Spike, the Intelligence Support Activity operated alongside CIA and local police elements to track down Escobar. These techniques include intelligence gathering, infiltration and intelligence support. In short order, Langley provided people, training, and a conduit to its various intelligence and planning aspects. The plan involved flying feet above the turbulent Mediterranean Sea, at night, through hostile airspace. Little is known about the organization or its activities, but it is clear that they serve as a military intelligence unit and have partaken in numerous missions around the globe. Exactly who would execute the direct-action operations, would be determined after the intelligence determine the situational necessities. 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. The vast majority of their operations are clouded not just in shadow, but in complete darkness. Ironically, the embassy in Iran was on their itinerary, but, history intervened, and it was overrun by a mob who took the larger part of the staff hostage. The order never came; a secret arms-for-hostages deal was cut by the American government. geo sends. Sound Like You? The unit was raised in 1979 as the Foreign Operating Group (FOG), who was created to overthrow the Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. 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. Special Boat Service (SBS) |, Camouflage patterns: See Intelligence Collection Directive (ICD) 112, . (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. "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. (Source). ISA agents even managed to obtain Lebanese license plates, which would allow Delta to be parachuted in with their own cars, then 'legitimized' with the plates. On October 23, 1983, a truck bomb slammed into the US Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241 Americans, and injuring scores more. The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include: The Activity is thought to made up of around 300 operators and is under the command of JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command). Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 operators on the loose? "Also in 1982, an ISA team was sent to Sudan to provide protection to Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry and his vice president. 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. They acquainted themselves with the layout and landmarks of the city for future reference. ISA focuses on gathering human intelligence based on contact with field agents, and signals intelligence (intercepted communications) to support Delta Force and DEVGRU operations. 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. Talk about close target recce. Thats pretty frickin ballsy. Two people with a lockpick kit and a camera. 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. These deployments include Operation Winter Harvest, Operation Queens Hunter and their role in Operation Anaconda. The third known squadron is the Mission Support Squadron. ISA. 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). (Source), The failure of Operation Eagle Claw was a turning point for US special operations. The manhunt was over. The whole force drove north as planned, putting Kay and me upfront to clear ahead and report back to the assault force. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world. Title 10 is the broad statute regarding what DOD is authorized to do. As they soundly slept in the reverie of their grand plan, the Sandman and the Tooth Fairy happened by and found the car unlocked. Candidates then are put through a battery of assessment and selection courses as well as background checks and psychological testing. A key driver for the meeting was the recognition that quality operational intelligence was virtually non-existent. ISA was asked to form an Algerian-based plan and a Beirut-based one for rescue. 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. "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. INSCOM's functional brigades and groups may provide general support, general support reinforcing, or direct sup-port to theaters through intelligence reach, or they may be This was never forthcoming despite the greatest pressure upon the Agency. It later took on other roles like SIGINT as battlefield requirements changed over time. The Intelligence Support Activity conducts its operations during and in advance of US military operations. Both the CSA and the Director understood that each offered something the other did not and that together, a much better response capability could be generateda point that POTUS emphasized through the National Security Council to both. (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. The unit selects operatives for deployments based on their language proficiency and their ability to blend in with the locals. The Cantor, busy writing, asked me how it went. During the operations training course, candidates are taught infiltration techniques, advanced air operations, offensive and off-road driving, personal defensive measures and communications. and direct action combat. 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. 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). Centra Spike agents operated all around Colombia, as well as neighbouring countries where the cartels influence extended. In all cases, the Congressional members voiced support. "Cowan put together another five-man team, but their deployment was stalled for three weeks. 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. US Air Force Pararescue | non-covert action intelligence activityoften a collection programto be of such sensitivity that 1 Oral notifications shall be followed by a written notification. 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. In 1989, during Operation Just Cause, the American invasion of Panama, ISA proposed to deploy a team of its intelligence agents to track Manuel Noriega, but the offer was declined. If some elements (especially photos) were originally yours please consider Specwar.info to host for free. There are four primary battalions with various responsibilities being spread across them. ISA was close to making the exchange, but the deal fell through at the last minute. 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. 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. " (Source) This allowed the forces involved in the surrounding Shahikot Valley to be more informed of enemy movements and positions. The Cantor said nothing. As a result, ISA was almost disbanded, but Army officials succeeded in ensuring its survival, albeit on a much tighter leash. Members of FOG infiltrated Nicaragua using false passports. Its worth noting that Bravo troop was never compromised while conducting espionage against the Assad regime in Syria. Originally the unit was known as the Field Operations Group or FOG and was designed to fill the Armys need for clandestine intelligence collection. 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. People know ISA mostly for its involvement in Operation Anaconda. 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. On Gen Meyer's departure, his successor, John Wickham, attempted to disband the unit, but Jack Marsh, in his role as ASD SO/LIC prevented it, and required it be retained, and resourced. They began forming their own plan for storming the airplane and liberating the hostages. These operatives mirror the function of CIA case officers and even go through CIA training at the Farm in Virginia. At the point of execution, the road became bureaucratically bumpy. Ultimately, Operation Credible Sport was cancelled but the FOG had proven its usefulness. We provided documents for viewing from both the Agency and DOD lawyers supporting the organization and outlining the rationale. In effect, the ISAs exploitation of signal intelligence saved the lives of 100s of US soldiers from the 10th Mountain and 101st Airborne divisions. "In 1984, political instability swept through the Seychelles, a group of islands off the coast of Africa. This time around, travel through the city was a very dangerous endeavour, with roadblocks everywhere. 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. As with both the establishment of JSOC, TF160/SOAR and Ranger SOF, the task was not easy. They must maintain a demeanour of trustworthiness and calmness, so any approached HUMINT sources feel safe and trusted. The selection process and training for special operations groups are secret. 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. As such, the activities and specifics of Gray Fox are not widely made available. All rights reserved. Nonetheless, it is known that these operators have shown their indispensable worth to both the intelligence and SOF communities in matters of national security, supporting Delta and SEAL Team Six operations by hitting the ground first to prep the environment: gathering actionable intelligence, pathfinding, and performing a broad range of operational support. Since incorporating under JSOC in 2003, Gray Fox has expanded into direct action and hostage rescue, showing that they may be the most diversely equipped, trained and adaptable Special Missions Unit in the SOF community. Both were doing the same thing in Colombia, except Centra Spike was doing a better job, at a much lower cost. Some of the more well-documented operations of the ISA shed light on the general nature of the ISAs overall operations. What is the difference between the Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization programs recently developed vs. previous years? (. 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. The debris revealed a spider hole and as an operator prepared a grenade, Saddam poked his head out of the hole. Marpat Camo Test |. This includes Clandestine operations, but not those which are Covert. (Source). (Source). Eventually, agents had pinpointed the locations of a number of cartel hideouts and high-value targets, including Pablo. > Role: HUMINT (human intelligence), SIGINT (signals intelligence), direct action. The Intelligence Support Activity, commonly called "The Activity" . ISA was asked to develop a plan of action. 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. Are you one of them? ISA members are often multilingual. This is especially useful in countries where men and women socializing is frowned upon outside of the family. 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), Additionally, ISA gathers SIGINT primarily by intercepting enemy communications or sending an agent to physically bug a target. (Source) This indicates that members of the primary four battalions who are combat specialists will have a wide range of skills, and therefore a high range of weapons they utilize. The unit's history, the politics that have shaped it and the operations it has carried out are recounted in great and fascinating detail. While Delta and DEVGRU focus on direct engagement and specialized combat tactics, the ISA conducts intelligence and espionage operations at a tactical level. ISA operatives are masters of tradecraft. Cowan traveled the Lebanese countryside pinpointing the locations of Syrian anti-aircraft emplacements. 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. "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. 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. 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. 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. This is how we block. "In late 1981, ISA agents were involved in the attempt to acquire a Soviet T-72 tank, which had obsessed intelligence analysts. 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. 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. (Source). This Intelligence Support Activity All-Inclusive Self-Assessment enables You to be that person. Additionally, conceal meant can be a factor in weapon selection too. 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. An operation was planned for their rescue, with Seaspray, Delta Force and the ISA all playing a role. Its scope is quite large, and it often works in support of JSOC, SOCOM and even other intelligence agencies. 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. . 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. "When the first rescue attempt of the hostages in Iran failed, a second attempt, code-named Honey Badger, immediately started. HUMINT collection cant be done without boots on the ground, so members of the main battalions are likely conducting field operations.
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