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]. On December 2, 1993, with help from Centra Spike and a mobile Colombian surveillance team, Escobar's hideout was pinpointed, and Colombian police moved in. Smith's book lifts the lid of secrecy on the Activity, one of America's least well known Special Ops units. Members of FOG infiltrated Nicaragua using false passports. ISA. Given the nature of their operations and the close work and training they receive alongside other US special operations forces, much of their equipment is likely to mimic that of the special mission units they support and work alongside. The terrain was extremely rugged, the enemy was far more entrenched than anticipated, and Murphys Law was in full effect. The plan involved flying feet above the turbulent Mediterranean Sea, at night, through hostile airspace. These techniques include intelligence gathering, infiltration and intelligence support. (Source) This allowed the forces involved in the surrounding Shahikot Valley to be more informed of enemy movements and positions. The ISA initially had only support activity and HUMINT gathering functions. ISA operators would infiltrate either Beirut or Algiers on commercial flights to avoid tipping off the terrorists or the authorities. The cover of these operatives is typically much harder to develop since it requires a reason to be in and out of the target country on a frequent basis, and to have inauspicious ties to the target country. _gaq.push(['_setDomainName', '.specwar.info']); Delta troop is tasked with countries that are a softer target for infiltration such as the Philippines or Morocco. US Army Rangers | Parsing one from the other can be quite difficult and largely determined by the location and nature of the target. 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. 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. "In 1984, political instability swept through the Seychelles, a group of islands off the coast of Africa. "ISA was divided into branches of signals intelligence (SIGINT) specialists, human intelligence (HUMINT) specialists, and a highly compartmentalized direct action element, the 'shooters'. Green Berets are considered unique from other special operators for various reasons, most . 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 rapidly deteriorating situation in the country prompted the United States to create a small Special Forces unit with the purpose of surveying the US embassy. Everyone in the unit is on on the Department of the Armys Special Roster, which means they dont exist. For obvious reasons, the unit doesnt exactly publicize their makeup. The ISA team left Beirut in January 1984. A Congressional hearing was held, and the media revealed the existence of a 'classified military intelligence unit'. His areas of focus are extremism in the Western world, military privatization and the impact of climate change on global security. 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. Eventually, agents had pinpointed the locations of a number of cartel hideouts and high-value targets, including Pablo. The moronic mandarins merely blinked and nothing more. Little is known about the organization or its activities, but it is clear that they serve as a. (Source) Gray Fox operators and intelligence specialists operated alongside other special operations units, including Delta Force and DEVGRU, as well as other components of the US Army. The exact breakdown of this squadron isnt known, however it is a reasonable assumption that its divided into troops based on the specific mission, such as airborne SIGINT or ground SIGINT. They acquainted themselves with the layout and landmarks of the city for future reference. See Intelligence Collection Directive (ICD) 112, . Then, Delta and SEAL Team 6 operators would make their way into the city in small groups and wait at safe-houses until the time was right. The fleet was comprised of 15 different types of aircraft for a combined total of 40 aircraft, all decked out with SIGINT interception technology. _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); Most ISA trainees are from Army Special Forces, meaning many have skills in CQC, sniping, counter-sniping and general tactical engagements. Authors cartoon depicting the mandarins installing the soon-to-be compromised surveillance camera. 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. This was the birth of the Field Operations Group (FOG)-later ISA/Secret Army of Northern Virginia. The web portal tool will maintain a repository of all INSCOM and non -INSCOM Kay-Kay and I sat at a table jamming some 12 magazines and chatting over our actions at our blocking position. The planners in DAMO-ODSO were acutely aware of the different legal authorities contained in Title 10 and Title 50 statutes. This extends beyond knowledge of things like general location, language and culture. Support Veteran Journalism . This time around, travel through the city was a very dangerous endeavour, with roadblocks everywhere. Along with Queens Hunter, ISA was involved in many operations across Central America, in Panama, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. find out more "ISA was also rumoured to be operating in Bosnia in the last few years under the code-name Torn Victor. I pulled out a pick and tension bar and handed them to him. Distinctive Unit Insignia of the US Army Intelligence Support Activity (USAISA), 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) 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. a Title 10 operation or a Title 50 operation. However, his several interventions and temporary blockage of many initiatives, showed that his primary intent was to arrest the development and contain the capability. Highly recommended. Both Army and the Agency recognized the changed nature of the world and the requirements of the emerging terrorist/hostage issues. 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. A goodly amount of minutes went by. 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. It was Delta Forces first mission and a horrific failure. The selection process and training for special operations groups are secret. 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. Title 10 is the broad statute regarding what DOD is authorized to do. 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. Alpha and Charlie troops utilize official cover to collect human intelligence. It was so simple that we didnt even need to create a nursery rhyme to recite to help us remember all the steps. ISA focuses on gathering human intelligence based on contact with field agents, and signals intelligence (intercepted communications) to support Delta Force and DEVGRU operations. During the operation, a rivalry developed between Centra Spike, and a CIA intelligence unit named Majestic Eagle. . In short order, Langley provided people, training, and a conduit to its various intelligence and planning aspects. Its members often use disguises to avoid detection and if they are compromised they can quickly disappear from sight and completely change their appearance. 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). 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. The ISA agent was ordered to stop the recording, an order to which he complied. Funding was to be a joint undertaking. His elements were being heavily tasked, and a directed intelligence pipeline was established to FOG. While Delta and DEVGRU focus on direct engagement and specialized combat tactics, the ISA conducts intelligence and espionage operations at a tactical level. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. 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. Approval was given for ISA's deployment, and operators flew to Frankfurt, where some stayed in case the airliner, now back in Beirut, flew back to Algiers. 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 unit conducts close survelliance with cameras, even going as far as covertly entering terrorists safe houses and planting hidden cameras. Operatives must also go unnoticed, being able to blend into crowds and not draw attention. The Cantor sent me out as usual to throw the lock, wait for our operational vehicle to pass, then shut it again. In 1979 the need for a dedicated special operations intelligence unit was solidified following the overthrowing of Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. Check, chief! and she yanked the gat our of my hand. The selection process for the ISA prioritizes both a physical skill for field operations and a skill for intelligence operations. However, the CIA couldnt provide these answers so Delta turned to the FOG. "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. At last, he came back, and, handing me the tools lamented: I couldnt get that fucker!. We locked the chain back up behind it and returned to base. (Source), Outlined as the primary purpose of the ISA since its inception, intelligence gathering is one of its most essential tasks. Candidates pulled from computer records, or by word of mouth were required to pass a tough selection course, physical and psychological tests. 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. Good enough, I thought. A vehicle on time and on target rolled through the barricade. 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. INSCOM's functional brigades and groups may provide general support, general support reinforcing, or direct sup-port to theaters through intelligence reach, or they may be International Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Interview with Dr. Niamh Gaynor, Transnistria and Russian Tensions: Moldova 12-month Forecast, Terrorist Threat in Senegal: A 12-month Forecast, Terrorist Threat in Guinea: A 12-Month Forecast, 7.3. The agents prepared contingency plans for a commando force to enter Beirut clandestinely, and to strike at Hizbollah and Syrian targets. Originally the ISA operated as a tactical arm of the National Security Agency. They also noted the specific funding line and agreed to manage it as a priority classified line absent committee discussion. The next morning arrived, but the moping mandarins came empty-handed: Ok, give me a rundown on the entire operation starting from when you arrived at the install site.. Along with reviewing the security and organization again, ISA was also tasked with formulating plans for reprisals against the Syrians who had shot down two US fighters. This was never forthcoming despite the greatest pressure upon the Agency. ISA operatives are highly skilled in the various arts of HUMINT gathering including: (Source). Unless you plan to body-check those cars I would junk up.. The whole force drove north as planned, putting Kay and me upfront to clear ahead and report back to the assault force. The other half flew to Cyprus to join the rest of the rescue force. This Army Special Operations unit, goes by many names, which is indicative of the various activities, functions and environments performed by these operators. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The capture was to happen as he would be heading south to the city of Vlasenica. The force is supposedly around 250-275 operators. One selection exercise involved dropping a candidate off in the desert without food, water or means of communication.