They are known by many names: 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). (Source). 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. During the war on terror it was responsible for hunting hunting high value persons. It is not certain that ISA operators were on the scene at the moment of his capture, but the operational intelligence provided was critical to the success of the operation. Operatives infiltrated internet cafes in Baghdad and conducted flyover operations in aircraft filled with signal interception gear. Under the umbrella group of Joint Special Operations Task Force 20, the Intelligence Support Activity helped track down and locate Saddam Hussein. The fleet was comprised of 15 different types of aircraft for a combined total of 40 aircraft, all decked out with SIGINT interception technology. We had a key to that lock that the MUPs did not know about; that is, I could pick the lock with consistency. The OSS was a direct action "group" that was directly involved in sabotage, infiltration, combat and even assassination. As they soundly slept in the reverie of their grand plan, the Sandman and the Tooth Fairy happened by and found the car unlocked. 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 ISA's origins are in the Foreign Operating Group (FOG), whose origin in turn is in the 1979 overthrow of Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. Special Operations (SO) encompass the use of small units in direct or indirect military actions focused on strategic or operational objectives. Access to that road saved a considerable amount of travel time for support for an ongoing mission. These operatives were responsible for helping take down insurgent networks in Iraq. Sound Like You? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The ISA is perhaps the most major outlier doctrinally from its other, better known, counterparts within JSOC and SOCOM as a whole. Delta's deployment was stalled by bureaucratic dealings, so ISA mobilized its most compartmentalized unit, the direct action element, the shooters. Covert operations are shrouded in plausible deniability. Grey Dynamics is a Private Intelligence firm based out of London with analysts, researchers, and investigators worldwide. Infiltration relies much less on stealthy engagement, and much more on subtlety and effective tradecraft. "In May 1982, Deputy Secretary of Defense Frank Charles Carlucci III called the ISA 'uncoordinated and uncontrolled.' When the CIA took credit for Centra Spike's work, the Army became furious and a competition was arranged between the two 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. The FOG was able to clandestinely enter Tehran and gather the required intelligence. But, it was also clear that some form of operational melding was essential to effectively address operational requirements. 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. One problem that plagued the first attempt was the lack of valuable intelligence. A goodly amount of minutes went by. US Army Rangers | Read Next: Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 operators on the loose? 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. "The government realized the importance of the FOG. Candidates then are put through a battery of assessment and selection courses as well as background checks and psychological testing. Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. Special Operations Forces: 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. 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. 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. The Intelligence Support Activity, commonly called "The Activity" . 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. ISA was asked to form an Algerian-based plan and a Beirut-based one for rescue. 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. 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. (amazon.com). . to FOG, SOG, SAD, SMU, ISA, and, FID, the focus of which is the ISA through 2015. Such as procuring equipment, getting funding for operations/training, and human resources functions. 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. 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Meyer was determined that no future SOF OP with Army forces would be conducted absent credible quality CIA/DOD/NSA and Army intelligence. Highly recommended. and other specialized capabilities to support Army, joint, unified action partners, and the U.S. intelligence commu-nity. 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. "In 1982, ISA SIGINT specialists took part in Operation Queens Hunter, a Seaspray operation in the skies above El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. In sum, Uniforms do Clandestine, Civvies do Covert. and other specialized capabilities to support Army, joint, unified action partners, and the U.S. intelligence commu-nity. Unit Profile. The ISA specializes in gathering human intelligence, signals intelligence and combat. October 16, 2020 They are known by many names: 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). Since that time the unit reports to Special Operations Command or SOCOM in Tampa Florida, United States. Well, ok we arrived at just around 1630hrs and the mandarin began. Originally the unit was known as the Field Operations Group or FOG and was designed to fill the Armys need for clandestine intelligence collection. That close-holding of his cards was typical of him. No unit is quite as secretive as the Intelligence Support Activity. 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. 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. This is how we block. 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. Since its inception, the Activity has been providing invaluable intelligence and support to many United States operations. 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. A much more classified component was a solely-US effort codenamed Green Light, focusing specifically on former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. 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'). 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. 8 years' rapidly progressive experience with US Army and a DoD Contractor 4 years in direct support of conventional intelligence units 3 deployments in support of a SOF Task Force. Check, chief! and she yanked the gat our of my hand. The Cantor said nothing. geo sends. 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? He had literally tried to muscle open the lock with tools designed for a sincerely delicate operation. "In late 1981, ISA agents were involved in the attempt to acquire a Soviet T-72 tank, which had obsessed intelligence analysts. "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. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. This time around, travel through the city was a very dangerous endeavour, with roadblocks everywhere. 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.
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