When TWA 847 is hijacked and flown to Beirut, the ISA deployed in order to prepare the way for a rescue mission Delta and Seal commandos. ISA SIGINT experts used an aircraft operated by Sea Spray (CIA) and a mountain listening post to spy on Sandinista rebels in neighboring Nicaragua.

1985 - Honduras - Operation Grazing Lawn.ISA pathfinders scouted out possible hostage locations and prepared infil/exfil routes for rescue teams but no mission was launched. ISA operatives set up FELIX, a network of spies throughout various militia groups throughout Beirut with the aim of finding several western hostages in the hands of Hezbollah. The Activity sent a team to the island of Mahe to prepare for a possible evacuation of American citizens. The Activity were part of a failed attempt to buy a T-72 tank, a much sought after intelligence prize from Saddam Husseinįollowing the bombing of the US Marines barracks in Lebanon, the Activity deploy to Beirut to gather intelligence on on terrorist organizations in the city and to prepare the ground for possible operations by Special Ops forces. The location where Dozier was held was eventually pinpointed, which resulted in him being freed by an Italian commando raid.

When an American General, James Dozier, was kidnapped by the Red Brigade terrorist organization, the Activity provided SIGINT and other support to Italian police. 1981 - Italy - Operation Winter Harvest.

The ISA has been at the forefront (although very much in the background) of most of America's special operations since the early 80s. ▼ share this page Intelligence Support Activity - Operations

Intelligence support activity operators