Employing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance: Organizing, Training, and Equipping to Get It Right

Effective employment of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance ISR in todays complex and time-dominated operating environments is more critical than ever before. Though no easy task, the orchestrated use of ISR sensors and capabilities can provide policymakers with information on military capabilities of foreign countries the location of key defense and industrial sites, indications of the presence of weapons of mass destruction and information on the plans of foreign leaders and terrorist groups. Tactical fighting units also rely on ISR for timely information concerning enemy locations and actions that allows them to maneuver adequately and accomplish their missions. This is especially true in the hunt for high value individuals which is extremely dynamic in nature and heavily dependent upon ISR. It is not surprising then, that tactical- operational- and strategic-level commanders would rarely execute a military operation in the absence of ISR minimum-force requirements. In fact ISR has become so critical to our nations combat operations that without it the probability of success greatly diminishes. Therefore the Department of Defense DOD must move forward smartlyquickly and jointly-not only in acquiring ISR systems but also in defining how they will be employed and who is qualified to conduct the ISR orchestra. In this regard, the DOD finds itself behind the power curve because joint and service-specific guidance or employment standards simply do not exist at a level necessary for such an important mission.