Intelligence Support Activity

Intelligence Support Activity Insignia

US Army Intelligence Support Activity (USAISA), also known as ISA, 'The Activity', and, in recent times, 'Gray Fox', is a top secret Army intelligence unit. 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

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'). The forms of intelligence gathered by the Activity include:

• HUMINT (HUM INTellgence)
  Intel gathered through assets, agents, eyes and ears on the ground. An example would be having ISA operatives, working undercover, do a recce of a suspected terrorist's safe house, finding routes in and out, looking for blind spots, assessing the numbers and dispositions of hostile forces etc
• SIGINT (SIGnals INTelligence)
  monitoring and tracking radio communications e.g. finding a hostage by homing in on the kidnapper's cell phones

Intelligence Support Activity - Organization

The Activity is thought to made up of around 300 operators and is under the command of JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command)

Intelligence Support Activity - Notable Operations

• 1981 - Italy - Operation Winter Harvest
  When an American General, James Dozier, was kidnapped by the Red Brigade terrorist organization, the Activity provided SIGINT and other support to Italian police. The location where Dozier was held was eventually pinpointed, which resulted in him being freed by an Italian commando raid.
• 1981 - Iraq - Operation Great Falcon
  The Activity were part of a failed attempt to buy a T-72 tank, a much sought after intelligence prize from Saddam Hussein
• 1989 - Columbia - Centra Spike
  The ISA provided intel to the Columbian authority's efforts to track down Pablo Escobar
• mid-late 90s - the Balkans - Operation Amber Star
  The Activity provided intel support to NATO task force hunting Serbian war criminals.
• 2001-present - Afghanistan - Operation Enduring Freedom
• 2003-present - Iraq - Operation Iraqi Freedom
  It is believed that the ISA is part of a multi-national task force (known as TF-88, previously called TF-145). The ISA element of TF-88 is known as 'Task Force Orange'. TF Orange provide SIGINT and other intel for TF-88 operations. Other members of TF-88 include Delta Force, the British SAS and elements of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment and 18(UKSF) Signals, the British equivalents of the ISA.

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