[Defense Intelligence Agency Seal]

Defense Intelligence Agency
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is a designated Combat Support Agency and the senior military intelligence component of the Intelligence Community. Established in 1961, DIA's primary mission is to provide all-source intelligence to the US armed forces. Intelligence support for operational forces encompasses a number of areas and challenges. Key areas of emphasis include targeting and battle damage assessment, weapons proliferation, warning of impending crises, support to peacekeeping operations, maintenance of data bases on foreign military organizations and their equipment and, as necessary, support to UN operations and US allies. In addition to providing intelligence to warfighters, DIA has other important customers, including policymakers in the Department of Defense and members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Additionally, DIA plays a key role in providing information on foreign weapons systems to US weapons planners and the weapons acquisition community. In carrying out these missions, DIA coordinates and synthesizes military intelligence analysis for Defense officials and military commanders worldwide, working in close concert with the intelligence components of the military services and the US unified commands .

Since the end of the Cold War and Desert Shield/Storm, DIA has undergone dramatic change. Regional priorities have changed, missions and functions have been realigned, and a strategic plan has been created to reflect new global realities. Crises in places like Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Rwanda, Iraq and North Korea, as well as such global challenges as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and monitoring of arms control treaties have increased the scope of demands for intelligence in the post-Cold War world. To reconcile the disparity between increasing requirements and declining resources, DIA has relied on a well-trained, highly motivated work force that has the flexibility and training to face a variety of new challenges.

Technology has also contributed to DIA's ability to carry out its mission. New technical intelligence collection systems have provided greater access to foreign military information. New software and the ability to share data bases has allowed analysts to contrast, compare, and compile information quickly and efficiently. Perhaps most importantly, an improved communications network has enabled efficient, rapid transmission of intelligence to and from military forces around the globe.

Headed by a three-star military officer, DIA is staffed by civilian and military personnel. DIA employees are located in several buildings around the Washington, DC area, but most work at the Defense Intelligence Analysis Center on Bolling Air Force Base. A small number of employees work at the Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center in Maryland and the Missile and Space Intelligence Center in Alabama. DIA's Defense Attaches are assigned to embassies around the world and DIA liaison officers are assigned to each unified military command.

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