Improving Collaboration Between Air Force Human Intelligence and Counterintelligence

After over a decade of relying on other government agencies for Human Intelligence (HUMINT), the Air Force is reestablishing this capability within its intelligence community. In doing so it is important for the Air Force to consider not only the best way to develop the professional expertise in this area but also evaluate the best organizational construct to integrate HUMINT with the other intelligence disciplines and functions. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) recently reorganized its HUMINT capability along side Counterintelligence (CI) within the Defense Counterintelligence and Human Intelligence Center (DCHC). The Air Force would do well to consider DIA's approach and take this opportunity to enhance Air Force CI capability as well. This paper assesses the relationship between HUMINT and CI and offers a proposed organizational solution to ensure the Air Force optimizes its capabilities for both. While Air Force HUMINT is in its new infancy, Air Force CI is limited to the instigatory efforts of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). The Air Force should establish full spectrum CI within the intelligence community organized along side Air Force HUMINT. Doing so will provide the best opportunity to achieve the integration and collaboration between the tso required by the Defense Intelligence Strategy. At the same time, the new CI organization can provide the much needed interface between the intelligence and law enforcement communities as their missions consistently overlap in combating modern threats to national security.