(Source) Training involves different espionage and intelligence methods that allow ISA members to carry out their essential HUMINT operations. Intelligence Support Activity - Role 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'). 11.". ISA was close to making the exchange, but the deal fell through at the last minute. FOG became permanent and renamed ISA on March 3, 1981. The plan involved flying feet above the turbulent Mediterranean Sea, at night, through hostile airspace. 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. 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. Additionally, these operative can remotely turn on a cellphone thats been turned off, which allows them to hear everything going on near it. A Congressional hearing was held, and the media revealed the existence of a 'classified military intelligence unit'. Operatives can covertly enter enemy buildings to plant cameras. This time around, travel through the city was a very dangerous endeavour, with roadblocks everywhere. That close-holding of his cards was typical of him. His elements were being heavily tasked, and a directed intelligence pipeline was established to FOG. It is known that the unit has changed its codename over . (Source), The tactics and techniques of the ISA are some of the most unique among all the JSOC special operations groups. "ISA was also rumoured to be operating in Bosnia in the last few years under the code-name Torn Victor. Special Operations (SO) encompass the use of small units in direct or indirect military actions focused on strategic or operational objectives. A goodly amount of minutes went by. Does the army's intelligence support activity also do direct action? "Cowan put together another five-man team, but their deployment was stalled for three weeks. . I pulled out a pick and tension bar and handed them to him. 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. 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. "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 SEALs, SAS, and SBS added additional capabilities over time, responding to the needs of modern conflict. Tools like radios, computers and lockpicks are much more crucial to the success of its missions. This Intelligence Support Activity All-Inclusive Self-Assessment enables You to be that person. The vast majority of the ISAs operations in Afghanistan are still classified. The whole force drove north as planned, putting Kay and me upfront to clear ahead and report back to the assault force. Wickham did transfer authority to the ACSI with predictable and less than beneficial results. Years before its actual formation, the need for the ISA, or an operational entity like it, was already being examined. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop for free! However, through OSINT collection we know that there are three primary squadrons: Sometimes referred to as HUMINT or Ground squadron, Operations Squadron functions as ISAs HUMINT collection squadron. It is tasked to collect actionable intelligence in advance of missions by other US special operations forces . ISA recommended covert deployment of its operatives to both airports to secure landing zones and infiltration routes. Feeling the working end of my pick with my fingers I could tell that it was destroyed; the neck had a corkscrew twist in it and it was staved to shit. The intelligence gathering part was named "Buckeye" and consisted of CIA, NSA and Torn Victor operatives. Ultimately, Operation Credible Sport was cancelled but the FOG had proven its usefulness. 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. Are you one of them? 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. These operatives mirror the function of CIA case officers and even go through CIA training at the Farm in Virginia. They began forming their own plan for storming the airplane and liberating the hostages. As the name implies, SIGINT Squadron is responsible for ISAs signals intelligence mission. Primarily acting as enablers for JSOC special mission units. The ISA specializes in gathering human intelligence, signals intelligence and combat. (Source). (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. Special Operations Forces are the elite commandos of the U.S. military. 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. Subsequent, Task Force 121, a collection of special mission units and conventional forces organized a raid on a small farming compound in rural Iraq. If some elements (especially photos) were originally yours please consider Specwar.info to host for free. 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. "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 breakdown of this squadron isnt known either but it likely contains logistical support for the two operational squadrons. US Army intelligence defines HUMINT as including: The sources of this information can come from enemy combatants, including regular armed forces, and civilian sources. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; Operatives must also go unnoticed, being able to blend into crowds and not draw attention. However, due to the nature of ISAs mission, its operators are rarely likely to carry weapons into the field. Since 2003, t. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! He had literally tried to muscle open the lock with tools designed for a sincerely delicate operation. Both were doing the same thing in Colombia, except Centra Spike was doing a better job, at a much lower cost. Alpha and Charlie troops utilize official cover to collect human intelligence. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. They were never used. It was the type of mission ISA was designed for, but no agents were sent in. (Source). The operation was codenamed Amber Star, and was a joint US-British-French-Dutch effort to apprehend the suspects. FOG was developed because of a perceived need for greater intelligence-gathering capabilities for the U.S. military. "ISA's existence became public in 1982 as a result of a scandal involving US POWs in Vietnam. Boss Cantor seemed satisfied with how the mandarins gathered the necessary hardware for the mission and then marched smartly out the door. (Source). Spec Ops Profile: Intelligence Support Activity, Paris Davis, Black Green Beret in Vietnam, Finally Awarded Medal of Honor at White House, Navy SEAL Dies in Parachute Mishap, 4th Training Death in 14 Months, Special Operations Commander Fired After Being Arrested for Alleged Drunk Driving, Hit and Run, 8 Fun Facts About the USO to Celebrate Its Birthday. 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 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. ISA operators would infiltrate either Beirut or Algiers on commercial flights to avoid tipping off the terrorists or the authorities. 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. This page was last edited on 1 April 2008, at 06:57. However, our personal favorite is a toss-up between Cemetery Wind and Gray Fox. Lgion trangre (French Foreign Legion) | Most ISA trainees are from Army Special Forces, meaning many have skills in CQC, sniping, counter-sniping and general tactical engagements. 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The ISA has gone by many name: Intelligence Support Activity or Mission Support Activity, and nicknamed The Activity, Task Force Orange . THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ . Sound Like You? . 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. The planners in DAMO-ODSO were acutely aware of the different legal authorities contained in Title 10 and Title 50 statutes. Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. These operatives were responsible for helping take down insurgent networks in Iraq. To lawyers, this is a distinction with a difference. We had a key to that lock that the MUPs did not know about; that is, I could pick the lock with consistency. 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 operation went smooth up until the force rolled away. (. The specialists, nicknamed 'knob turners' operated sophisticated electronic eavesdropping equipment located in the back cabin of specially-outfitted Seaspray Beechcraft 100 airplanes. 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. During the operations training course, candidates are taught infiltration techniques, advanced air operations, offensive and off-road driving, personal defensive measures and communications. 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).