Accession Number:

ADA621222

Title:

Strategy for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

AIR UNIV MAXWELL AFB AL AIR FORCE RESEARCH INST

Personal Author(s):

• Brown, Jason

Report Date:

2014-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

39.0

Abstract:

In this paper, I draw upon the US experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan to highlight key lessons for integrating intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance ISR operations into military campaigns and major operations. I point out how the US military s adherence to a Cold War era collection management doctrine creates obstacles for ISR integration. This system of managing competing requirements as a basis for ISR operations has proven ineffective repeatedly in military operations due to the emphasis on collection statistics that do not account for operational realities. I argue that a strategy-oriented approach that balances ISR ends, ways, and means will more effectively meet commanders needs and expectations. Using this approach, I suggest means by which commanders can steer the vast, organizationally complex ISR enterprise toward problem solving over production. A vital part of that process is articulating the commander s intent for ISR that links campaign goals to intelligence problem sets, ISR roles and missions, and ISR objectives. By comparing ISR in Iraq and Afghanistan, I identify the advancements in resourcing, organization, and procedures that made considerable impacts on the battlefield. Using these lessons, I make practical recommendations on how commanders and staffs should organize and operate to effectively execute an ISR strategy.

Descriptors:

• *MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
• *MILITARY STRATEGY
• *RECONNAISSANCE
• *SURVEILLANCE
• INTEGRATION
• MILITARY COMMANDERS
• MILITARY DOCTRINE
• MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES)
• MILITARY OPERATIONS

Subject Categories:

• Military Intelligence
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE