11.". The most important thing to know is that intelligence drives "direct action" operations. The CIA was leading extraordinary rendition operations in Somalia in conjunction with the ISA and the help of local warlords. It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. Initially, Delta Force turned to the CIA for information regarding the number of guards, how they were armed and what security measures they had in place. The agents prepared contingency plans for a commando force to enter Beirut clandestinely, and to strike at Hizbollah and Syrian targets. (Source). 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. As they soundly slept in the reverie of their grand plan, the Sandman and the Tooth Fairy happened by and found the car unlocked. They discovered there was no co-ordination between them, and vital information regarding terrorist attacks was not being shared. The simple plan called for pipe-hitters to deploy from the states and set up an ambush at a blind S-curve along the generals route. In line with their proficiency in infiltration, they had an array of passports, credit cards and falsified documents to allow easy movement between territories. Shadow Warriors: The Ultra-Secret, Special Reconnaissance Regiment By the time though, the situation had begun to subside. "These commands and white Special Forces like the Green Berets, as well as Air Force combat controllers and commandos of eight different nations report to a mind-boggling array of new command cells and coordination units set up after Sept. The JTF was largely dependent upon the CIA to provide the vital confirming HUMINT as to the hostage location. Candidates pulled from computer records, or by word of mouth were required to pass a tough selection course, physical and psychological tests. However, our personal favorite is a toss-up between Cemetery Wind and Gray Fox. 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 operation went smooth up until the force rolled away. >Develops and . 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. Centra Spike was known to operate under several cover names, including Torn Victor, Cemetery Wind, Capacity Gear and Robin Court, and closely matched ISA's description. He would be given instructions and equipment along the way, and was required to perform certain assignments, for example, setting up a SATCOM system. That close-holding of his cards was typical of him. by Michael Smith find out more 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. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. 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. Original content is published under aCreative Commons Licenseper ourTerms of Use. The capture was to happen as he would be heading south to the city of Vlasenica. Access to that road saved a considerable amount of travel time for support for an ongoing mission. It built a reputation for daring, flexibility and a degree of lawlessness. 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 plan involved flying feet above the turbulent Mediterranean Sea, at night, through hostile airspace. Covert Action and Clandestine Activities of the Intelligence Community ISA members are often multilingual. When government officials found out, they were horrified, they seemed to have a rogue agency within its ranks. He seemed equally satisfied when they reported the next morning that the clandcam was up and recording and that they would have the product with them when they returned the next morning. They skillfully pushed the car down the dirt driveway and out onto the hardball road a-ways where they could hot-wire and start the car without being heard by the slumbering princesses in the safe house. The ISA also has a direct action arm comprised of men and women recruited from the US Army Delta . As a result, ISA was almost disbanded, but Army officials succeeded in ensuring its survival, albeit on a much tighter leash. 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. Meyer was determined that no future SOF OP with Army forces would be conducted absent credible quality CIA/DOD/NSA and Army intelligence. In 2003 the CIA and ISA conducted a joint operation in Somalia. The debris revealed a spider hole and as an operator prepared a grenade, Saddam poked his head out of the hole. 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 team put together a detailed critique and proposed changes to the organization of the forces, but the document was ignored by the higher officials insisting that security was adequate. The planners in DAMO-ODSO were acutely aware of the different legal authorities contained in Title 10 and Title 50 statutes. ISA operators would infiltrate either Beirut or Algiers on commercial flights to avoid tipping off the terrorists or the authorities. Once admitted, candidates must pass the operations training course, which teaches infiltration techniques, advanced air operations, offensive and off-road driving, personal defensive measures and communications. Additionally, ISA gathers SIGINT primarily by intercepting enemy communications or sending an agent to physically bug a target. 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. "In 1982, ISA SIGINT specialists took part in Operation Queens Hunter, a Seaspray operation in the skies above El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Candidates then are put through a battery of assessment and selection courses as well as background checks and psychological testing. Bravo and Delta troops utilize commercial or non-official cover. When conducting more integrated operations with other parts of the military, the skill of intelligence support comes into play. Primarily acting as enablers for JSOC special mission units. 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. 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Though its freelance tendencies were curbed, the ISA continued to operate under different guises through the ill-starred U.S. involvement in Somalia in 1992 and was reportedly active in the hunt for Bosnian Serbs suspected of war crimes. (Source). There are four primary battalions with various responsibilities being spread across them. Smith's book lifts the lid of secrecy on the Activity, one of America's least well known Special Ops units. Get the weekly email from Grey Dynamics that makes reading intel articles and reports actually enjoyable. The ISA initially had only support activity and HUMINT gathering functions. a Title 10 operation or a Title 50 operation. The US military and many of its allies consider DA one of the basic special operations missions. _gaq.push(['_setDomainName', '.specwar.info']); Intelligence Support Activity - SourceWatch 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]. The TRADOC DCS, G-2 develops, describes, and delivers the OE in order to support the Army's preparations to fight and win the nation's wars. Intelligence Support Activity - Wikipedia US Air Force Pararescue | (Source). find out more The ISA team left Beirut in January 1984. The operation, code-named Great Falcon, made a deal with the Iraqi government for a T-72, in exchange for 175mm cannons. A simultaneous raid on the targets was to be made. Kay-Kay and I sat at a table jamming some 12 magazines and chatting over our actions at our blocking position. 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. It is known that the unit has changed its codename over . The Intelligence Support Activity conducts its operations during and in advance of US military 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. "In 1984, political instability swept through the Seychelles, a group of islands off the coast of Africa. Clothing worn by locals, even in specific areas. Working alongside SEASPRAY, a specialized aviation unit that would later form a part of Delta Force, the ISA would conduct aerial SIGINT operations to assist the Salvadoran Army against guerrillas. The U.S. Army's Special Operations Forces Explained 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. The unit conducts close survelliance with cameras, even going as far as covertly entering terrorists safe houses and planting hidden cameras. Each of these groups achieves different specialised tasks for their assigned mission. The second rescue force was not going to be affected by the same problem, and the FOG was established in July of 1980, under the control of Colonel Jerry King. (Source). 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. Eliciting information from select sources, The exploitation of documents, media and materials. The cyber operations team extends into other offsets of intelligence gathering, including OSINT, cyber threat intelligence and cyber warfare. HUMINT collection cant be done without boots on the ground, so members of the main battalions are likely conducting field operations. ISA operators were said to be so skilled that they could tell whether a tank needed a tune-up from background noise of transmissions. This page was last edited on 1 April 2008, at 06:57. Sadly, the team's evaluation did not serve to upgrade American security standards, and a truck bomb exploded from within 40 feet of the embassy entrance later that year. These operatives mirror the function of CIA case officers and even go through CIA training at the Farm in Virginia. Little is known about the organization or its activities, but it is clear that they serve as a. 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 mandarins had inexplicably turned and ran south back to our home base leaving no rear guard for the main body. INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL OPERATIONS - Federation of American Scientists
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