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Imagery-Derived Intelligence Information Reporting

Introduction
The battlefield commander needs information that is current and accurate to make valid decisions about when, where, how, and why forces and resources are to be committed. Imagery-derived information is of highest tactical value at the time of acquisition, and depreciates rapidly from that moment. The location of a convoy two hours ago may have some value, but knowing its exact location, now, gives the commander many more option. Further, having a real time sensor on a platform able to loitering over the area of the activity tracking and monitoring the enemy’s actions, yields tremendous flexibility.
In the tactical arena, on the battlefield, the timeliness of target and intelligence information is the critical factor. A minimum of detail is required for the commander to make a decision. Acquire and identify the enemy, their equipment, and actions whenever and wherever possible. Detailed, exhaustive analysis can be of value in after action, assessments, contingency planning and thus has its own place away from the battlefield environment.

At the strategic level, particularly at national exploitation facilities, timeliness may not be a consideration but because the reporting performed here requires extensive research and analysis there is more attention to finite detail than is possible or required at the tactical level. In essence, the mission is distinctly different, so that a comparison between tactical and strategic imagery exploitation is akin to mixing apples and oranges. Both exploitation levels have a specific role and are essential to the overall intelligence production process.

Tactical Exploition
At the tactical level, imagery-derived intelligence information is used to satisfy the commanders immediate information needs, called essential elements of information, or EEI, or other intelligence requirements (QIRs). Generally, the image resource responds to requirements for immediate identification of items of tactical significance, assists in operational planning, and provides a current, accurate display of an area of interest to assists the commander in employment of troops, weapons, and other resources at his disposal.
In developing this support, the IA uses imagery to derive the following general types of information:

First-phase reporting is done via in-flight reports, mission reports (MISREP) which served as the most immediate reporting, and the immediate interpretation report (HOTREP) which was provided within an hour of completion of film process. Keep in mind, the completion of a mission only meant that the film was downloaded from the aircraft and then had to go through processing. Most interpretation at the tactical level was done from negatives, not the more typical positive view. With the advent of real time imaging sensors, these kinds of reporting requirements have been replaced by a more situation responsive decision process, one that allows the commander’s designated representatives to make decisions directly, often to engage or not engage the acquired targets.

Strategic and Detailed Imagery Analysis
Strategic and what we called Third Phase reporting was hardly time sensitive, sometimes never taking place, and entailed a variety of report forms, including formal, published documents. This phase of reporting reflected an extended, in-depth all-source analysis and was not intend to serve the immediate needs of the battlefield commander. Typical of the third phase reports was Basic Imagery Interpretation Report (BIIR) and the Direct Support Imagery Interpretation Report (DSIIR). Both of these reports were generally hard-copy and focused on a particular objective or subject, e.g., a new missile system.

With the exception of the first-phase reporting, usually done via some message form, collecting, organizing, assessing, and preparing the formal reports was a demanding, time-consuming process. Obviously, all the sources of information had to be systematically assembled and go through an analytical process to produce a meaningful intelligence report.

As a matter of routine, the analysis process began with an overview scan of the imagery of the target area. Maps and charts were used in conjunction with this scan to confirm the plot of the imagery and review information contained on maps. Maps are essential as a point of reference, and can give clues and information required in the report. Existing all-source intelligence reporting files and documents are searched to define all the information available about the target and compare it with the imagery. All of these elements, combined with a detail analysis of the imagery, yielded a formal report, complete with maps, diagrams, measurements, and narrative discussion of various features of the subject.