Air Intelligence Agency to become Air Force ISR Agency

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WASHINGTON --  Air Force officials announced today a force structure change designating the Air Intelligence Agency (AIA) at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas as the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency. 

AIA reported to Air Combat Command. The new agency is aligned under the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (A2) as a Field Operating Agency. 

"The realignment of the newly designated, Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency under Air Force A2 will underscore the nature of ISR as an Air Force-wide enterprise," said Lt. Gen. David A Deptula, Air Force deputy chief of staff for A2. 

General T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, said in a January statement that this realignment is a key element in transforming the approach the Air Force is taking to ISR organization. 

"Because ISR capabilities are at the core of determining these desired [warfighting] effects, ISR has never been more important during our 60 years as an independent service. ISR has become the foundation of Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power. The ISR transformation initiatives we are beginning will further enhance our ability to fly and fight as America's Air Force," he said. 

General Deptula chartered three ISR transformation working groups to continue General Moseley's vision and focus in the areas of ISR capabilities, personnel, and organization. After thoughtful dialogue and careful consideration of warfighter and Intelligence Community needs, the Air Force ISR Agency was born. 

"The Air Force ISR Agency will now be responsible for broadening their scope beyond the signal intelligence arena to include all elements of ISR," General Deptula said. "The intent is to provide unmatched ISR capability to our Nation's decision makers and combatant commanders." 

Maj. Gen. Craig Koziol, Air Force ISR Agency commander, said, "last August Lt. Gen. Deptula defined the vision of AF/A2 to transform Air Force intelligence into a preeminent intelligence organization; with the most respected intelligence personnel; and the most valued ISR capability. This realignment is the result of nine months of hard work by ISR professionals in the Air Force and civilian sector. AF ISR transformation will allow us to treat intelligence as an AF-wide enterprise, coordinate and integrate ISR capabilities, and present those capabilities to joint warfighters and national users." 

The new agency force structure includes the 70th Intelligence Wing and the Air Force Cryptologic Office at Fort George G. Meade, Md.; the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; and the Air Force Technical Applications Center at Patrick AFB, Fla. 

The Air Force Information Operations Center, Lackland AFB, Texas was reassigned to 8th Air Force on 1 May in a parallel transformation to emphasize cyberspace as an AF operating domain. 

"The organizational realignments will enable the Air Force ISR Agency to transform our approach to ISR by managing systems, programs, and personnel through a capabilities-based construct, rather than focus on ownership or myriad unconnected budget lines," said Brig. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, vice commander of Air Force ISR Agency. 

General Koziol is eager to have his new organization step up to the plate. 

"My intention is to have this new agency become the focal point for Air Force ISR development and modernization. Our team must keep one thing in mind though; this is about delivering the best trained forces and most effective capabilities and how we can conduct integrated ISR operations, with precision at all levels, for air, space and cyberspace missions." 

He went on to say, "It's also about organizing, training, equipping, presenting and integrating multi-intelligence all-source ISR capabilities for Joint Forces Commanders through the Coalition/Joint Force Air Component Commander. I am also looking forward to developing even stronger relationships with the Combat Support Agencies within the national intelligence community--these organizations continue to play a vital role across the entire warfighting spectrum." 

"Air Force ISR is on the move" said General Koziol, "and this is an important step forward for world-wide ISR operations and how we forge the way to seamlessly integrate both tactical and national ISR operations." 

This change will not result in any significant personnel changes or financial impact to San Antonio and South Texas economy. "Air Force ISR is on the move" says General Koziol, "and this is an important step forward for world-wide ISR operations and how we forge the way to seamlessly integrate both tactical and national ISR operations."

The change will become effective Jun 8, 2007.