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Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), our largest MAGTF. These efforts led to a number of successes during OIF-I that I would like to share with you.
(U) Marine commanders task organized their organic intelligence support to adapt to the speed and distance of their specific operations. We augmented our Marine Divisions with support from Pioneer Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) squadrons, topographic/imagery intelligence (IMINT) specialists and TROJAN SPIRIT-LITE intelligence communications systems to provide responsive ISR support and secure mobile connectivity. Likewise, we augmented the next lower maneuver echelon, the Regimental Combat Teams (RCTs), with a wide array of ISR enhancements such as Dragon Eye UAVs, Counterintelligence Human Intelligence Exploitation Teams (CI/HETs), and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Support Teams (SSTs) to improve their organic collection capability; TROJAN SPIRIT IIs to provide secure mobile connectivity; and data link receivers for aerial sensors such as the Pioneer UAV, the Navy’s P3 and the Litening POD on the AV8-B Harrier to provide them with a “bird’s eye” view of the battlefield. These enhancements provided the capability to conduct immediate and responsive ISR operations such as employing the Dragon Eye UAV to safely scout the first crossing of the Tigris River; using SSTs to identify and neutralize enemy call for fire nets during the second crossing of the Tigris River; and capitalizing on CI/HET assets embedded with Light Armored Reconnaissance units to facilitate a prisoner of war rescue north of Baghdad.
(U) The Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA), the Marine Corps’ Service intelligence center, provided Federated Production support before D-Day including lines of communication (LOCs) and inundation studies. This intelligence preparation of the battlespace (IPB) support was critical to 1st Marine Division receiving approval to bypass Al Kut and strike toward Baghdad on secondary routes. MCIA serves as the parent command for Intelligence
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