CHAPTER 6
INTELLIGENCE
6001. General
Intelligence operations in support of MPF operations, while similar to those of amphibious operations, have unique
requirements due to the nature of the MPF mission, operational environment, JTF, MAGTF and CMPF task organizations and command relationships, and deployment phasing. Key considerations include:
a. Threat
Detailed intelligence on the threat situation and its capabilities, vulnerabilities and estimated courses of action within
the area of operations is critical to support early MAGTF planning requirements and decisionmaking. Additionally,
under uncertain conditions, similar intelligence is also required on host country military, paramilitary and law enforcement forces with which the MAGTF will need to coordinate operations.
b. Operational Environment
The operational environment is defined as a composite of the conditions, circumstances, and influences which affect
the employment of military forces and bear on the decisions of the unit commander. Some examples are:
Permissive Environment: An operational environment in which host country military and law enforcement agencies have control and the intent and capability to assist operations that a unit intends to conduct
Uncertain Environment: An operational environment in which host government forces, whether opposed to or
receptive to operations that a unit intends to conduct, do not have totally effective control of the territory and population in the intended area of operations
Hostile Environment: An operational environment in which hostile forces have control and the intent and capability to effectively oppose or react to the operations a unit intends to conduct (Joint Pub 1-02.)
c. Weather Conditions and Key Infrastructure
Comprehensive, accurate intelligence on the area of operations weather conditions and on key infrastructure questions is of critical concern to support MAGTF planning and decisionmaking. Early assessment of basic intelligence
products and databases, particularly those maintained by the combatant command's Joint Intelligence Center (JIC),
will satisfy most initial intelligence requirements. In particular, detailed and continually updated intelligence will
generally be required on the following: all ports and harbors; airfields; roads, railways, and other lines of communications; telecommunications and utility infrastructures; and other key facilities within the area of operations.
d. Task-Organization and Deployment Phasing
Satisfaction of most MAGTF priority intelligence requirements (PIRs) will be dependent upon JTF, theater and other
Navy intelligence operations until sufficient MAGTF organic intelligence and reconnaissance units are deployed
within the area of operations to commence operations. This places a premium on effective integration of joint, naval,
and MAGTF intelligence planning and operations, clear identification of MAGTF PIRs and other intelligence requirements, and reliable and robust supporting communications and information systems (CIS) operations.
e. Command and Control
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The likely large geographic separation of the MAGTF Commander and the CMPF will generally preclude formation
of an amphibious task force intelligence center (ATFIC). This along with the geographic separation from the JTF
will challenge MPF command and control (C2). Accordingly, detailed C2 and intelligence contingency plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), area intelligence studies and supporting CIS are critical to support early planning
requirements and MAGTF operations.
6002. Required Intelligence Capabilities
Required intelligence capabilities for MPF operations are similar to those of any other operation, with only the specific focus and intensity varying. The following intelligence capabilities are required to support MPF operations:
Perform intelligence preparation of the battle (IPB) and situation development covering a broad maneuver space
Analyze threat forces to determine centers of gravity and critical vulnerabilities
Conduct detailed terrain, hydrographic, port, airfield, and lines of communication (LOC) analysis to support
MPF operations
Ensure communications and information systems connectivity and interoperability with national, theater, and
joint forces’ intelligence assets, which provide intelligence support before the arrival of the MPF MAGTF in the objective area
Coordinate stand-off collection assets that are capable of satisfying force requirements from over the horizon
Provide organic imagery, signals intelligence (SIGINT), human intelligence (HUMINT), counterintelligence
(CI), remote sensor, geospatial information and services (GI&S), and ground and aerial reconnaissance assets that
are capable of satisfying MAGTF tactical collection requirements as the MPF enters the area of operations and commences operations
Coordinate dissemination systems that link widely dispersed Joint, Naval, and Marine forces afloat and ashore
6003. Intelligence Requirements
Specific intelligence requirements (IRs) will be situationally dependent. A good source to aid all planners with the
identification of IRs is the Generic Intelligence Requirements Handbook (MCIA-1540-002-95) prepared by the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity. The following list of notional IRs reflect intelligence gaps that are typical for MPF
operations.
Threat force locations, dispositions, compositions, and activities within the AOR, particularly as they impact on
the requirement for a secure area, as well as pose threats to the movement of MPS
Location and characteristics of an airfield suitable for AMC and CRAF aircraft operations, and the throughput
capability to support the projected airflow
Location and characteristics of an adequate port and/or beach for timely off-load of the MPSRON. A port must
have sufficient water depth, overhead clearance, and maneuver room for the ships
Characteristics of the transportation network between the port and/or beach and the airfield
Location and characteristics of potential anchorages
Hydrographic data to include tides, currents, beach gradient, composition, trafficability, beach frontage and
depth, surf conditions, and channel information
Predominant weather conditions in the area to include visibility, winds, flying conditions, and astronomic data
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Incorporation of the Force Protection Operations Center (FPOC) into the intelligence system
6004. Responsibilities
a. Establishing Authority
Determine, validate, and prioritize IR, and consolidate intelligence needs of the MPF elements
Coordinate the collection, processing, production, and dissemination of intelligence to MPF elements
Review and forward requests for intelligence and counterintelligence support
Establish liaison with appropriate intelligence agencies
Coordinate the production and dissemination of all-sourced intelligence/counterintelligence studies, estimates,
and other products to support MPF requirements
b. MAGTF Commander
Determine, validate, and prioritize MAGTF IRs
Review existing intelligence publications and data bases to identify critical gaps in information
Initiate organic intelligence and reconnaissance operations
Forward intelligence requirements to appropriate operational commanders
Develop or activate intelligence collection plans to include requests for national/theater intelligence support
Prepare and disseminate intelligence estimates and studies to support operational planning
Identify/refine GI&S requirements and prepare/activate the MAGTF war reserve stock for delivery
Distribute GI&S products from the MAGTF planning allowance for initial operational planning
Develop and coordinate target intelligence activities as part of the overall targeting function
Coordinate with other MPF elements for intelligence planning as required
Identify intelligence communications and information systems requirements
c. Commander, Maritime Prepositioning Force:
Ensure continuous intelligence support to Navy elements from supported and supporting CINCs
Coordinate intelligence and counterintelligence measures in support of Navy operations
d. Commander, Navy Support Element and Commander, MPS Squadron
Determine and submit intelligence requirements to the CMPF
Coordinate with other MPF elements for intelligence planning as required
Distribute charts, photographs, and other intelligence materials to NSE Elements
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e. Other Force Commanders
Other force commanders are responsible for determining their intelligence requirements, and preparing an intelligence plan compatible with the specific needs of their respective forces. Requests for intelligence peculiar to the specialized operations of these forces must be submitted by the force commanders to their operational commander.
6005. Supporting Intelligence Agencies and Organizations
Because of the nature of MPF operations and the variety of operation plans, MPF elements may receive intelligence
support from more than one unified command. Intelligence support is provided by intelligence agencies or organizations in response to validated intelligence requirements forwarded and validated through appropriate operational
chains of command. Examples of supporting agencies and organizations include the following:
a. National
National Security Agency (NSA)
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
National Intelligence Mapping Agency (NIMA)
b. Theater
CINC joint intelligence center (JIC)
c. Joint Task Force
Joint Intelligence Support Element (JISE)
National Intelligence Support Team (NIST)
d. Naval Services
National Maritime Intelligence Center (NMIC)
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
e. Host Nation and Multinational Forces
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