179^th Military Intelligence Detachment

The 199^th Light Infantry Brigade had two attached intelligence units, which provided support to the Brigade and its maneuver battalions. These included the 179th MI Detachment, and the 856^th Radio Research Detachment. While the 856^th RR Detachment provided signal intelligence through technical data collection in the radio environment, the 179^th MI Detachment provided all other intelligence, known in the professional as collateral intelligence.

The 179^th MI Detachment had a TO&E of 38 members, broken down into five sections: Headquarters, Order of Battle, Prisoner of War Interrogation, Image Interpretation, and Counterintelligence.

The Headquarters element orchestrated the accumulation of the intelligence products of these sections and disseminated the results to field commanders.

The Order of Battle Section identified, amassed and collated the enemy’s composition, disposition, strength, training, tactics and other elements into a portrait of what a US infantry unit could expect to encounter when on field operations. Coupled with the 856^th RR Detachment, the efforts of the Order of Battle Section resulted in the prediction of the Tet Offensive in 1968 to within 25 minutes of its actual commencement.

The Prisoner of War Interrogation Section did as its name implies…interrogated enemy POWs with interpreter support. The product of their effort was then provided to each battalion S2. Each battalion within the 199^th Infantry had at least two POW interrogators detached from the 179^th MI Detachment who escorted the battalion on their operations for real time immediate interrogation needs. As elements of the 199^th Infantry took part in the Cambodian Incursion in 1970, 179^th MI Detachment interrogators went on the ground with the infantry to provide as rapid results as possible.

The Image Interpretation Section provided as near real time photo interpretation support as possible both to existing operating areas and future AOs the Brigade was summoned to occupy. Reports were provided along with significant photographs to battalion S2s so they could visualize terrain through this means as well as topographical maps. From the overhead reconnaissance, the II Section could overprint ground data onto these maps to the point where a platoon leader could carry them. In the event Brigade troops were in actual contact, a Priority One photographic mission would be requested. The film would then be dropped in buckets near an airfield where the II Section would conduct an immediate scan and report to the battalion the results within 40 minutes. Often the Brigade would be able to neutralize retreating enemy by the II Section observing the escape routes through these means.

The Counterintelligence Section denied the enemy access to our secrets. This was done through helpful inspections and advise to field commanders as their strengths and weaknesses as may be perceived by an enemy element. They also maintained an external and internal source program to report surreptitiously collected data to the Brigade S2. The CI Section, had, an average of six external human sources reporting of activity of the NVA and VC elements in the Brigade’s AO at any time. They also secured the Brigade’s interpreter and Kit Carson Scout programs to insure their integrity.

One of the problems facing the Detachment was the frequent relocation of the Detachment. Since the 199^th Infantry was basically a ready reaction element for II Field Force, the Detachment had to be prepared to implement its talents anywhere in war Zones C and D. Its stable contingent remained at Camp Frenzell Jones, however 33 of the 38 members had to think in a mobility mentality.

Intelligence persons are sometimes thought of as pipe smoking academicians to theorize on world things. The 179^th MI Detachment was a tactical unit who certainly did not emanate this picture. Its members assisted defense of its fire bases during ground attacks, repelled ambushes when relocating, slogged through the bush with the infantry when directed, each person serving with honor and distinction. Today, its former members serve as advertising executives, attorneys, police officers, computer programmers, farmers, public school teachers, and artists just to mention a few. The Detachment performed a noble feat to support the finest infantry fighting men in the Vietnam Conflict…those of the 199^th Light Infantry Brigade…and we are all proud of it.