The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is an agency of the United States Government with the primary mission of collection, analysis, and distribution of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) in support of national security.
The NGA evolved from NIMA absorbing several governmental intelligence agencies such as the DMA, CIO, and the DDPO under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997.The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 renamed the multi-agency NIMA to focus its mission and the NGA was born.
The term geospatial intelligence really does not have a true definition; however, the U.S. Code Title 10, ?467 defines it as ?the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on the earth. Geospatial intelligence consists of imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial information.?
Though this definition does not really clear-up what this government agency truly accomplishes; it does give some idea where to begin.
The easiest starting point is of course maps. Not just your typical Randy McNally fair, but complex maps derived from the sciences of photogrammetry, cartography, imagery analysis, remote sensing, and terrain analysis. Using these scientific disciplines along with spatial images from sources including, but not limited to commercial satellites, government satellites, aircraft maps, commercial databases, census information, GPS waypoints, or even utility schematics give the NGA access to a tremendous amount of GEOINT.
However, the NGA describes their intelligence as a product. They just do not produce maps or provide compiled information. They actually use those maps and information to analyze for specific purpose such as the best route to evacuate during a natural disaster or what military vehicles are best suited for a geographic location based on terrain and local infrastructure.
For example, the NGA just does not tell the Department of Defense how many rivers are in a particular area, but they also tell the DoD how wide and how deep those rives are. They also go as far as to describe the best equipment and personnel to use in crossing those rivers. Although this example was simple, the NGA produces much more complex ?Products? that are invaluable during military missions or civilian rescue missions. The bulk of these products are used in the support of military combat and defense.
However, the NGA is not the only entity upon which the U.S. Government relies to coherently manage these products derived from imagery and mapping. In addition, under the broad definition that is provided by the US Code, GEOINT covers a wide spectrum of government intelligence. Furthermore, the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process will consolidate all major Washington, DC-area NGA facilities, including those in Bethesda, MD; Reston, VA; and Washington, DC into a new facility to be constructed at the Fort Belvoir, VA proving grounds.
On paper this seems to be an efficient way of moving such large amounts of government intelligence through the proper channels. In actuality the government is centralizing some of the nations most powerful military intelligence under one roof making it a large target. The only back-up would be a considerably smaller facility in Missouri.
The NGA is so important to the Department of Defense that centralizing it in one governmental building could create an Achilles heel in American National Security. Any crippling blow to the NGA, whether through a cyber or physical assault, would severely cripple and nearly halt all intelligence efforts made by the DoD and throughout the rest of the United States Intelligence Community.
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is truly the eyes of the Department of Defense. Just as our eyes our essential to our daily survival, the NGA is essential to the survival of America.
Dennis Dufrene is the resident historian and technical writer. With this background, Dennis brings insight and accuracy to the stories published here at Top Secret Writers. Dennis has 314 post(s) at Top Secret Writers
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