Civil Aviation Intel

The Pentagon recently issued guidance that "establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for civil aviation intelligence." According to a July 29 Defense Department instruction:

a. There shall be a single lead DoD intelligence representative for the DoD civil aviation intelligence mission.

b. There shall be a single focal point in DoD for intelligence on foreign civil aviation-related entities associated with illicit activities or posing a threat to the United States, its allies, or its interests.

c. Civil aviation intelligence and other air domain awareness capabilities shall, to the extent possible and practicable, be compatible with or complimentary to maritime domain awareness capabilities with the long-term goal of integration.

Accordingly, the under secretary of defense for intelligence has the following responsibilities:

a. Establish DoD civil aviation intelligence policy consistent with DoD 5240.1-R ["Procedures Governing the Activities of DoD Intelligence Components that Affect United States Persons," December 1, 1982].

b. Be the principal DoD representative for interagency civil aviation intelligence policy.

c. Provide policy support and advocacy for DoD implementation of civil aviation intelligence matters.

d. Coordinate plans, program, fiscal resources, and activities that support the civil aviation intelligence mission, when necessary, with the Director of National Intelligence.

e. Oversee DoD civil aviation intelligence plans, programs, and operations.