USSOCOM receives, reviews, coordinates and prioritizes all Defense Department plans that support the global campaign against terrorism. Under the guiding hand of JSOC, the ISA operated alongside other JSOC and CIA elements, under the codename Gray Fox. When Escobar surrendered in 1991, Centra Spike was pulled out, only to return a year later, when Escobar escaped from his comfortable prison. 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. 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). In line with their proficiency in infiltration, they had an array of passports, credit cards and falsified documents to allow easy movement between territories. ". (Source), The failure of Operation Eagle Claw was a turning point for US special operations. In effect, the ISAs exploitation of signal intelligence saved the lives of 100s of US soldiers from the 10th Mountain and 101st Airborne divisions. 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. It is known that the unit has changed its codename over the years. Its worth noting that Bravo troop was never compromised while conducting espionage against the Assad regime in Syria. When operatives are in less restrictive environments they can often be seen carrying weapons used by locals, most often in the form of AKs. The situation looked dire. Members of FOG infiltrated Nicaragua using false passports. Well, say that was certainly good news. "ISA was divided into branches of signals intelligence (SIGINT) specialists, human intelligence (HUMINT) specialists, and a highly compartmentalized direct action element, the 'shooters'. Candidates pulled from computer records, or by word of mouth were required to pass a tough selection course, physical and psychological tests. ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? Join our mailing list to stay in the loop for free! Intelligence Support Activity - Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core Killer Elite But it had no effect on me or what I was doing not for now at least. There's a lot of fascinating special operation history in the Netflix thriller "Lou," but going into details would reveal Jason McCarthy of goruck.com and Stew Smith discuss his journey to, through, and after Army Special Forces and being Copyright 2023 Military.com. The mission support teams help actualize the other major goal of supporting other forces in a battlespace. 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. Primarily acting as enablers for JSOC special mission units. 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. A case officer is someone who handles a foreign asset by giving them collection requirements and ensuring their safety. These are primarily preparation intelligence and tactical/ strategic intelligence for active operations. The whole force drove north as planned, putting Kay and me upfront to clear ahead and report back to the assault force. From 5 miles away and 4,575m above the ground, operatives could target insurgents communications via cellphone. (Source), The ISAs selection and training is geared towards intelligence specialisation despite conducting occasional direct engagement. By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies. The rescue force was forced to launch with sketchy data forcing a worst-case force list. "Cowan put together another five-man team, but their deployment was stalled for three weeks. 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. "When TWA Flight 847 was hijacked on June 14, 1985, America's counter-terrorist forces went on full alert. Case officers also target and recruit potential assets. As with any clandestine unit, only so much can be known about any of the JSOC special mission units. The capture was to happen as he would be heading south to the city of Vlasenica. Since 2003, t. Its purpose is unlike many other special operations forces of the US military, not dedicated to direct combat, and more towards secretive and clandestine actions necessary to support other military operations. US Army Intelligence Support Activity (ISA) | Specwar.info This extra length concealed the main eavesdropping antennas, while others could be lowered from the belly while in flight. (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. 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 "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. Unless you plan to body-check those cars I would junk up.. 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. Nowadays the ISA focuses on the preparation of the battlespace for military operations across the globe. He would be given instructions and equipment along the way, and was required to perform certain assignments, for example, setting up a SATCOM system. "ISA was also rumoured to be operating in Bosnia in the last few years under the code-name Torn Victor. It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. Prior to Saddams capture, over 40 members of his family were captured and interrogated to determine his whereabouts with little success. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. Funding was to be a joint undertaking. Italian forces conducted the raid itself; rescuing Dozier and returning him to the US without a single casualty. The vast majority of the ISAs operations in Afghanistan are still classified. The unit was raised in 1979 as the Foreign Operating Group (FOG), who was created to overthrow the Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. Cowan and another ISA agent managed to drive through every sector of Beirut, even the Shiite suburb, a dangerous practice at the time. This Army Special Operations unit, goes by many names, which is indicative of the various activities, functions and environments performed by these operators. Royal Cape, Granite Rock and Powder Keg were some, Centra Spike and Torn Victor being other possible cover names. Eliciting information from select sources, The exploitation of documents, media and materials. With the expansion, the FOG has renamed the ISA and officially established as a unit on January 29th, 1981. 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. 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. ISA. Years before its actual formation, the need for the ISA, or an operational entity like it, was already being examined. Additionally, ISA operates a number of fixed and rotary wing aircraft and these pilots fit somewhere into the puzzle that is ISA. Traditions (religious, political, societal). US intelligence gathering methods centre around the US intelligence process, composed of the phases Plan, Prepare, Collect, Process, and Produce. The specialists, nicknamed 'knob turners' operated sophisticated electronic eavesdropping equipment located in the back cabin of specially-outfitted Seaspray Beechcraft 100 airplanes. 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. The force is supposedly around 250-275 operators. (Source). "In 1983, a five-man ISA unit led by Lt. Col. William Cowan was dispatched to Beirut, Lebanon to deal with the increasing threat to American interests in the area. This page was last edited on 1 April 2008, at 06:57. In 2003 four troops: A,B,C, and D made up the squadron. ISA operatives often work in disguise and undercover. Why America's Special Forces Are so Unique and Deadly The US military and many of its allies consider DA one of the basic special operations missions. The ISAs execution of SIGINT monitoring was so successful that the month-long operation was extended to three years. The U.S. Army's Intelligence Support Activity is arguably the most secretive unit out of the five tier one units in the United States Military. Failed Clandestine operations, usually result in some form of USG explanation. One problem that plagued the first attempt was the lack of valuable intelligence. "Also in 1982, an ISA team was sent to Sudan to provide protection to Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry and his vice president. To this point, the CIA and the DOD followed separate independent paths as defined by statutes contained in Title 10 (DOD authorities) and Title 50 (Intelligence agency authorities). FOG was developed because of a perceived need for greater intelligence-gathering capabilities for the U.S. military. In Evaluating Immunities before a Special Tribunal for Aggression Against Ukraine, the Type of Tribunal Matters, Chinas Ferry Tale Taiwan Invasion Plan Is A Legal Nightmare, China Maritime Report No. Operationally, the ISA is a dedicated intelligence group, doing the intelligence leg work for special operations groups. Afghanistan: The Fox and The Anaconda. How do you guys block?, I dont know how you guys operate. Highly recommended. Task Force Orange: Supporting Delta Force | SOFREP *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. Operatives must also go unnoticed, being able to blend into crowds and not draw attention. These operatives were responsible for helping take down insurgent networks in Iraq. INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL OPERATIONS - Federation of American Scientists A team of mandarins was tasked with blocking traffic in the same fashion on the south side of the ambush site, then with following the assault force north to provide rearguard to the convoy. (Source), Active operational support is also a crucial role of the ISA. Immediately after, he would be dropped off in a city, and asked to perform clandestine activities. ISA was asked to develop a plan of action. The Department of Defense in 1965 outlined its need to be more involved with collecting intelligence, supported by Robert McNamara. (Source). Understanding all the following is necessary for successful infiltration: (Source). You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. Highly detailed knowledge of an infiltration location is also key. One selection exercise involved dropping a candidate off in the desert without food, water or means of communication. The unit is organized into several elements. The authors note that "All information used in this article has been obtained from publicly available, open source documents." The order never came; a secret arms-for-hostages deal was cut by the American government. This Army Special Operations unit, goes by many names, which is indicative of the various activities, functions and environments performed by these operators. Its budget would be carefully concealed so that it never made a paper trail, and only a dozen officials would know the names and locations of all of ISA's agents and safehouses. He later commanded both the 1/75th Rangers and the 1st Ranger Training Brigade. COL Nightingale is a retired Army Colonel who served two tours in Vietnam with Airborne and Ranger (American and Vietnamese) units. "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. The Elite Within the Elite: A Guide to U.S. Special Forces In all cases, the Congressional members voiced support. LTG Odom acquiesced but took every opportunity to oppose actions engaging his traditional intelligence elements. 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. Originally referred to as Task Force Orange, other names have included Centra Spike, Torn Victor and Gray Fox. America's Most Elite Special Forces - msn.com Direct action differs from conventional offensive actions in the level of physical and political risk, operational techniques, and the degree of discriminate and precise use of force to achieve specific objectives."[1]. Read Next: Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 operators on the loose? The Secret Army of Northern Virginia - SOAA 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. 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. He scurried off to the barricade. The planners in DAMO-ODSO were acutely aware of the different legal authorities contained in Title 10 and Title 50 statutes. They marked secret infiltration routes and bases American forces could use if they were ever sent into the country. Lawyers for both Titles within the respective DOD and CIA bureaucracies, fought to preserve their interpretations of applications, to prevent one department from intruding into the territory of the other. Intelligence Support Activity provides US special forces with intelligence gatherers, man hunters, assassins and deep penetration agents. This was the birth of the Field Operations Group (FOG)-later ISA/Secret Army of Northern Virginia. My team, me and happy-trigger-fingered Kay-Kay, were to position north of the ambush site, report the approach of the Generals car, then pull our car out onto the highway to block traffic for the hot minute it took the assault force to stop Klandanjs car and scoop him up. ISA members conducted extensive interviews with Special Forces members in the country, Lebanese Army and CIA and embassy officials. 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. 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. National and Joint Intelligence Support - United States Army A top-secret 'Army electronic surveillance team', was sent to aid the Colombians in August of 1989, as a part of Operation Heavy Shadow. The mandarins had inexplicably turned and ran south back to our home base leaving no rear guard for the main body. The ISA's HUMINT collectors gather information from human sources via coercion and interrogation depending on the asset. "During the 1983 American invasion of Grenada, special forces units were plagued by lack of useful and up-to-date intelligence. 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), Reconnaissance overflights revealed a possible location where POWs, still believed to be held by the Vietnamese early in the year. While Delta and DEVGRU focus on direct engagement and specialized combat tactics, the ISA conducts intelligence and espionage operations at a tactical level. A critical component of clandestine activity is the ability to infiltrate enemy territory ahead of more formal military action. If an operative is in a country with an official cover, possessing a firearm can mean being sent to prison or death. A key driver for the meeting was the recognition that quality operational intelligence was virtually non-existent. The operation, code-named Great Falcon, made a deal with the Iraqi government for a T-72, in exchange for 175mm cannons. The ISA is perhaps the most major outlier doctrinally from its other, better known, counterparts within JSOC and SOCOM as a whole. 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. When government officials found out, they were horrified, they seemed to have a rogue agency within its ranks. Key was the requirement to develop a competent counter resolution force. Sound Like You? US News & World Report 7/6/98 - "Hunting war criminals: The first account of secret U.S. missions in Bosnia" by Richard J. Newman, https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Intelligence_Support_Activity&oldid=305336, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. The SIGINT group of the ISA gathered signal intelligence via aircraft, that was then passed on to NSA analysts. 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. ". Upon return to the Pentagon, he re-assigned the ACSI POC out of FOG-related issues. "Also in 1989, ISA was rumoured to have taken part in the hunt for the richest drug trafficker in the world, Pablo Escobar, operating under the code-name Centra Spike. 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. I could tell by her skunk-eye that she had a dagger in the pipe ready to launch, so I lightened up. The following article on the Intelligence Support Activity was copied from Specwarnet.net online. Intelligence Support Activity-Bragg developed an online tool, the pilot for which was planned to commence on June 1, 2019, to standardize the System Authorization Access Request, Acceptable Use Policy and Privileged Access Agreement for the command. 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. Political bickering stalled the deployment of the agents, and finally, the operation was approved. (Source), Additionally, the ISA has acted as a pseudo-security element for the CIA. More technical training on SIGINT, such as transmission and signals interpretation is also a component of the training. The unit is organized into several elements. It is after all, not a strictly combat-oriented role like its other Tier 1 operators. (Source). THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ . FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- Leaders from the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) G-6/Ground Intelligence Support Activity (GISA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACoE) Honolulu . Moscow Should Prepare For Probable US Nuclear Aggression: Reports Russian Military Journal, Destroying American Monster Abrams: Pro-Russian Group Release A How-To Video, Dr. Mary E. 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