The devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th prompted a swift and comprehensive international response. Among the first responders were specialized teams from the U.S. Army’s 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, showcasing the critical role of the Military Intelligence Excepted Career Program in global crisis management. This article delves into the experiences of these dedicated professionals who deployed to Haiti, providing vital support to humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
Within hours of the earthquake, the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade mobilized two counterintelligence (CI) teams. Led by agents operating under the military intelligence excepted career program, such as Edgardo Ortiz, these teams were integral to the XVIII Airborne Corps’ mission as Joint Task Force (JTF) Haiti. Their rapid deployment, within 24 hours of notification, underscores the expeditionary readiness inherent in this career field. Linking up with intelligence staff at Fort Bragg and arriving in Haiti just two days later via military airlift, these teams demonstrated exceptional agility and commitment.
Upon arrival, the CI teams, experts in their field thanks to the rigorous training of the military intelligence excepted career program, immediately initiated a mission analysis. Initially prepared for a traditional counterintelligence role, their mission rapidly evolved based on the urgent needs on the ground. Briefings from JTF staff led to a crucial pivot: focusing on providing real-time assessments of the situation directly to the JTF commander.
This shift transformed their mission into a “non-traditional” CI operation, emphasizing “ground truth” intelligence. As Ortiz explained, the teams became the “eyes and ears” of the JTF commander, providing critical insights into threats facing the Haitian population, the effectiveness of relief efforts, and the volatile conditions in and around Port-au-Prince. This adaptability is a hallmark of professionals trained within the military intelligence excepted career program, allowing them to apply their skills across diverse and evolving scenarios.
A significant aspect of their mission involved assessing the numerous Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps that emerged throughout Port-au-Prince. These assessments were not just observational; they provided actionable intelligence for organizations like the World Food Program (WFP). The CI teams gathered essential data to inform WFP decision-makers on food distribution planning and the selection of effective distribution points (DPs). This direct impact on aid delivery highlights the practical value of the military intelligence excepted career program in humanitarian crises.
To gather information, the teams engaged directly with the affected population. Driving to IDP camps and speaking with residents, they collected firsthand accounts of conditions, needs, and concerns. Questions ranged from the availability of support and aid delivery to local news and information dissemination. This human-centric approach, going beyond technical intelligence gathering, provided a nuanced understanding of the situation on the ground. The skills in communication and analysis honed through the military intelligence excepted career program proved invaluable in these interactions.
Despite facing continuous aftershocks and witnessing immense suffering, the CI teams worked tirelessly. Their around-the-clock efforts ensured that JTF-Haiti leadership remained informed about local conditions, escalating medical risks, criminal activities (including escaped prisoners), and population movements. These factors, as Ortiz pointed out, posed significant threats to the overall relief operation and the long-term recovery of Haiti. The dedication and resilience demonstrated by these individuals are testaments to the caliber of professionals within the military intelligence excepted career program.
Colonel Jim Lee, the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade commander, lauded the teams’ performance. He emphasized that these CI teams, exemplified by Ortiz’s leadership, showcased the brigade’s expeditionary capability and its readiness to deploy intelligence support globally, at a moment’s notice. His praise underscores the vital contribution of the military intelligence excepted career program in ensuring rapid and effective response in international crises. The experiences in Haiti serve as a powerful example of the real-world impact and importance of this career path within military intelligence.
