JP 3-05.1 Joint Special Operations Task Force Operations

Intelligence(1) SO Intelligence Requirements. The currency, level of detail, and scope of SOintelligence requirements place unusual demands on theater and national intelligence systems.SO often require more intelligence collection, research, and analysis than most conventionalmissions. HUMINT is especially important to SO mission planning because it provides detailedinformation not usually available through technical means. HUMINT collection requirementsflow from the JSOTF JISE through the HUMINT operations cell. GEOINT is important to SOplanning. Detailed information from theater and national sources must be tailored so that it canbe displayed, understood, and used by the tactical SOF element that will plan and conduct themission. Detailed and current (less than 24 hours old) GEOINT of the objective area is normallyneeded. Some missions may require replicas, models, diagrams, and nonstandard GEOINTproducts. The scope of SO intelligence requirements also may include the social, economic,informational, and political dynamics of the operational area. The CDRJSOTF’s informationrequirements compete for limited collection resources and all requirements may not be satisfied.CDRJSOTF intelligence requirements linked to theater PIR will have the best prospects fortimely support.(2) Planning. Early planning for intelligence is essential to conduct successful SO.The very precise information required by SO tactical commanders about operational areas andtargets may not be readily acquired by national technical intelligence sources. Intelligenceplanning for SO, as with conventional force intelligence planning, involves managing the JSOTFintelligence staff in the execution of the intelligence process to provide mission-specific andoriented intelligence that will support operational objectives, planning, and decisions.(a) The uniqueness of SO intelligence support is in the timeliness, quantity,integrity, authenticity, and specificity of the information required. The planning time lines forSO require responsive intelligence support.(b) Intelligence organizations and agencies supporting SOF must be involved atthe earliest stage of mission planning to ensure responsiveness to SOF mission requirements.(c) In support of contingency planning, the J-2 must develop, identify, or reviewmission-specific intelligence requirements. SO-unique requirements are forwarded throughappropriate channels for validation, collection, and reporting.(d) In planning for time-sensitive potential or emerging SO missions (adaptiveplanning), the J-2 must accurately anticipate the information needs to meet mission requirements,use the “push/pull” system to ensure that mission planners access all available information, andexpeditiously set into motion those actions as discussed during contingency planning.b. Collection. This requires validating, prioritizing, and tasking through the J-2 collectionmanager. The JSOTF point of entry into the collection process is with the JSOTF collectionmanager through the daily meeting of the joint collection management board. Collection includesthe identification and positioning of assets and/or resources to satisfy collection objectives. Italso includes both the acquisition of information and the provision of this information to processingVI-9