Ch. 6 Intelligence Operations

Intelligence Operations Overview

• MI unit collection operations follow the Army's framework for exercising command and control (C2)
• C2 activities include planning, preparing, executing, and assessing operations
• Intelligence commanders use the operations process to direct, lead, and assess intelligence operations
• MI collection personnel and systems collect information about threat capabilities, activities, disposition, and characteristics within the operational environment (OE)
• Intelligence professionals follow intelligence disciplines and complementary capabilities to ensure all tasks are completed successfully and in accordance with regulations
• MI collection personnel are trained and certified, using MI sensors
• Intelligence collection must comply with U.S. laws and policies
• Certain intelligence disciplines require specific training and certifications

Information Collection

• Information collection is synchronizing and integrating the planning and employment of sensors and assets to collect information
• Collection management is part of information collection, discussed in Chapter 5
• Intelligence operations are one of the four primary tactical tasks: reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence operations, and security
• Maneuver units may conduct offensive operations to collect information, identifying threat characteristics
• The G-3/S-3 and G-2/S-2 collaborate to develop information collection plans

Intelligence Operations and Collaboration

• Collaboration between G-3/S-3 (operations), G-2/S-2 (intelligence), the collection manager, and the MI commander is crucial
• MI supports theater army, corps, division, and BCT operations
• The MI unit collaborates to plan, prepare, execute, and assess intelligence operations
• MI unit and staff members should understand all aspects of the intelligence architecture (collection, PED, analysis)
• Collection managers: collaborate across staff sections; validate intelligence requirements; determine communications needs; understand the sustainment for collection assets; ensure collection is timely
• Collection managers support current operations, ensuring effective control across intelligence disciplines. They also plan for future operations

Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Security Operations

• Reconnaissance is a mission to gather information about activities and resources of an enemy
• Surveillance involves continuous observation to gather information
• Security operations provide early warning of enemy operations.

Intelligence Collection, The Collection Manager, and Rest of the Supported Unit Staff

• The supported commander and staff plan and assess information collection at all levels
• The MI unit collaborates closely with the supported commander and staff
• The MI unit generally controls or coordinates any attached or supporting intelligence capabilities
• MI unit staff members need to understand all aspects of the intelligence architecture

Intelligence Operations Guidelines

• The guidelines define methodologies for employing collection assets during intelligence operations
• Key activities include maintaining readiness, ensuring continuous operations, orienting on requirements, and providing mixed and redundant coverage
• Operational activities include gaining and maintaining sensor contact, reporting information, providing early warning, and retaining freedom of movement
• Commanders prioritize intelligence operations in the early stages of planning.

Gaining and Maintaining Sensor Contact

• Sensor contact is critical to intelligence operations and missions that involve signal intercept or imagery collection
• Reporting information rapidly and accurately is important for timely assessments of OE conditions

Conducting Intelligence Operations

• Intelligence unit planning starts with receiving and analyzing the mission and identifying information collection tasks
• Staffs and units collaborate in analyzing and assessing the mission.
• Intelligence staffs use the operations process (plan, prepare, execute, assess)
• The supported unit and the MI unit must collaborate closely throughout the entire operations planning and execution process.

Mission Planning

• Mission planning begins when the MI unit receives a new mission (can be from higher HQ or from an ongoing operation)
• SOPs define individual and collective responsibilities during planning; these processes involve identifying participants, responsibilities, and resources

Troop Leading Procedures

• Troop leading procedures are a dynamic process for planning and preparing for operations at the small unit level
• The procedures involve 8 steps (Receive the Mission, Issue a Warning Order, Make a Tentative Plan, Initiate Movement, Conduct Reconnaissance, Complete the Plan, Issue the Order, Supervise and Refine)

Support Relationships

• Commanders establish support relationships when subordinating one unit to another is not appropriate, such as when a limited number of MI collection assets support multiple units
• Support relationships provide flexibility for distributing collection assets across an operational area (AO)
• Support relationships include Organic, Assigned, Attached, OPCON, TACON