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. All rights reserved. The Intelligence Support Activity conducts its operations during and in advance of US military operations. The support provided can come in a range of different forms. Deployed together with a small Delta Force contingent, Centra Spike flew over Colombia in their airplanes and continued to track Escobar. Operatives can covertly enter enemy buildings to plant cameras. National and Joint Intelligence Support - United States Army Task Force Orange: Supporting Delta Force | SOFREP "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. The manhunt was over. Intelligence Support Activity | The Activity | Gray Fox 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. The Cantor said nothing. For the four main battalions, numbering in total over 300 operators, there are different roles members could fall into. 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. 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. The ISA also has a direct action arm comprised of men and women recruited from the US Army Delta . Covert operations are shrouded in plausible deniability. The unit was raised in 1979 as the Foreign Operating Group (FOG), who was created to overthrow the Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. We had a key to that lock that the MUPs did not know about; that is, I could pick the lock with consistency. 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. Most officials disliked the unit's head, Jerry King, and thus, JSOC did not send the unit in. Shadow Warriors: The Ultra-Secret, Special Reconnaissance Regiment Operationally, the ISA is a dedicated intelligence group, doing the intelligence leg work for special operations groups. This page was last edited on 1 April 2008, at 06:57. This time, the manhunt for Escobar was being led by Col. Hugo Martinez, who did not intend to let Escobar get away, and who operated with ruthless efficiency, aided by Centra Spike's intelligence. The Pentagon frequently disavows knowledge regarding their activities or even their existence, and they've been given different names multiple times to misdirect any probes into their identity or activities. 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'). (Source), The failure of Operation Eagle Claw was a turning point for US special operations. Its members often use disguises to avoid detection and if they are compromised they can quickly disappear from sight and completely change their appearance. [2] Unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance and direct action roles have merged throughout the decades and are typically performed primarily by the same units. It was a body of men and women first sent to Japan to study Ninjitzu, then on to Chinas Shao Lin Temple to study Kung Fu, then finally to Iran to study the ways of the Immortals under the former King of the Persian Empire, Xerxes the Great. Key was the requirement to develop a competent counter resolution force. Mission. Nowadays the ISA focuses on the preparation of the battlespace for military operations across the globe. Hostages were dispersed around Beirut and those with Jewish sounding names were being isolated. Come again, Cantor? I was trying to make him look at me while he repeated that last instruction. (Source) Operatives must not look out of placeor easily recognizable. What was needed was a SOF unit devoted to intelligence gathering and preparing the battlespace for other SOF operators. The unit has been under command of the US Army but some time after September 11th 2001 command was placed under direct control of the Joint Special Operations Command or JSOC at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, United States. Not only did this demonstrate that the ISA was functionally effective, it showed that it could operate alongside not only various elements of the US military, but foreign military elements as well. In 2003 the CIA and ISA conducted a joint operation in Somalia. 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. FOG was developed because of a perceived need for greater intelligence-gathering capabilities for the U.S. military. Both Army and the Agency recognized the changed nature of the world and the requirements of the emerging terrorist/hostage issues. (Source), Active operational support is also a crucial role of the ISA. "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. 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. A case officer is someone who handles a foreign asset by giving them collection requirements and ensuring their safety. More technical training on SIGINT, such as transmission and signals interpretation is also a component of the training. Few special operations forces are clad in as much secrecy as the Intelligence Support Activity. 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. This is especially useful in countries where men and women socializing is frowned upon outside of the family. But the poor Cantor had to suffer through the mandarin menace sure enough. Know a SEAL from a Night Stalker: a breakdown of US Special - SOFREP 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. (Source). The aim of the operation was to monitor cross-border raids and movements of Sandinista forces and rebels in El Salvador. "Gray Fox's low-profile eavesdropping planes also fly without military markings. The order never came; a secret arms-for-hostages deal was cut by the American government. 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?. "Cowan put together another five-man team, but their deployment was stalled for three weeks. ODSO/FOG overcame much of this through replication of capability generously funded and supported by CIA. Featured Book: It's a Special Mission Unit and conducts highly classified operations. The unit is organized into several elements. The training processes of other military groups however grant general insight into the selection and training of the ISA. These members function as case officers. 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. Colonel Jerry King retained his position as the head of the group, now 100-strong and headquartered in a nondescript building in Arlington, Virginia. Bravo troop tackles the extremely difficult target countries like Syria which had a sophisticated counterintelligence network. 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). A Civilian's Guide to U.S. Special Forces | The National Interest "ISA's existence became public in 1982 as a result of a scandal involving US POWs in Vietnam. By November 1993, the noose was tightening around Escobar, and Centra Spike managed to track him down to a suburb of Medellin called Los Olivos. Small Wars Journal is published by Small Wars Foundation - a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. 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. 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. No unit is quite as secretive as the Intelligence Support Activity. 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. The United States realized that insufficient intelligence gathering was the critical point of failure in our attempt to rescue the American hostages and that there was a gap between the Intelligence and Special Operations communities. They require units with combinations of trained specialized personnel, equipment, and tactics that exceed the routine capabilities of conventional military forces. As an ancillary, but crucial action during this period, LTC Bruce Mauldin and I, with the CSAs concurrence and support, visited the Hill and had several closed-door sessions with appropriate committee Chairs and Ranking Members regarding the unit's establishment, roles and missions, and funding lines. ISA members are often multilingual. 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). ISA operatives are masters of tradecraft. Members of FOG infiltrated Nicaragua using false passports. The most elite special operations forces in the US USSOCOM receives, reviews, coordinates and prioritizes all Defense Department plans that support the global campaign against terrorism. 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). By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies. The US recognized the usefulness of this unit and began surveying embassies across the world. Tools like radios, computers and lockpicks are much more crucial to the success of its missions. Tracking dummy targets over Medellin, Centra Spike managed to pinpoint their locations within 200 meters, while Majestic Eagle came no closer than four miles. 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. ISA. 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. (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 unit was raised in 1979 as the Foreign Operating Group (FOG), who was created to overthrow the Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. Delta Force | Immediately after, he would be dropped off in a city, and asked to perform clandestine activities. This intelligence then triangulated the possible location of Dozier. Alpha and Charlie troops utilize official cover to collect human intelligence. The authors note that "All information used in this article has been obtained from publicly available, open source documents." 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! This Intelligence Support Activity All-Inclusive Self-Assessment enables You to be that person. (Source). About: Intelligence Support Activity - DBpedia Smith's book lifts the lid of secrecy on the Activity, one of America's least well known Special Ops units. The most important thing to know is that intelligence drives "direct action" operations. Originally the ISA operated as a tactical arm of the National Security Agency. Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. The Pentagon's Spies: Military Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Activities "In May 1982, Deputy Secretary of Defense Frank Charles Carlucci III called the ISA 'uncoordinated and uncontrolled.' The ISA comprises 5 primary elements: administration, training, SIGINT, HUMINT and direct action. Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 operators on the loose? G-2 - U.S. Army Training Doctrine and Command Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. >Develops and . The CIA would talk directly to the warlords while the ISA provided SIGINT support and ground security for them. 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. Since that time the unit reports to Special Operations Command or SOCOM in Tampa Florida, United States. With the expansion, the FOG has renamed the ISA and officially established as a unit on January 29th, 1981. Understanding all the following is necessary for successful infiltration: (Source). Establishing cover as husband and wife to live in and conduct intelligence collection missions within a target country. What is the difference between the Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization programs recently developed vs. previous years? One of their major tasks was to create 'pathfinders'. "When TWA Flight 847 was hijacked on June 14, 1985, America's counter-terrorist forces went on full alert. He tasked them to install a clandestine video camera (clandcam) framed such that it would record all the license plates of all vehicles turning down a specifically designated road. A top-secret 'Army electronic surveillance team', was sent to aid the Colombians in August of 1989, as a part of Operation Heavy Shadow. 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. var _gaq = _gaq || []; find out more The ISA consistently attaches itself to other units, either as a temporary or more permanent component. var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; 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. 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 SEALs, SAS, and SBS added additional capabilities over time, responding to the needs of modern conflict. Escobar was shot as he was trying to escape from the roof of his house. (Dominique Sumner and Peter Tomich). "The government realized the importance of the FOG. The US military and many of its allies consider DA one of the basic special operations missions. 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Since 2003, t. 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. The Cantor sent me out as usual to throw the lock, wait for our operational vehicle to pass, then shut it again. 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. Wickham did transfer authority to the ACSI with predictable and less than beneficial results. But it had no effect on me or what I was doing not for now at least. 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. Authors cartoon depicting the mandarins installing the soon-to-be compromised surveillance camera. This is how we block. 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.
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