INSPECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
4800 MARK CENTER DRIVE
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22350-1500

MAR 0 4 2015
Ref: FOIA-2015-00487
Mr. Steven Aftergood
Federation of American Scientists
1725 DeSales Street NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Dear Mr. Aftergood:
This is in response to your March 30, 2015, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request
for a copy ofDODIG-2015-097, Evaluation of DoD Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
for Support to Civil Authorities. We received your request on March 30, 2015, and assigned it
case number FOIA-2015-00487.
The Office ofthe Deputy Inspector General for Intelligence and Special Program
Assessments conducted a search and located the enclosed documents. I determined that some
redacted portions of the records are exempt from release pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(6), which
pe1iains to information, the release of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy.
Mr. Pa\ll R. Polk, Initial Denial Authority for the National Geospatial-Intelligence .
Agency, determined that some redacted p01iions are exempt fi·om release pursuant to
5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(3), which pertains to nondisclosure provisions contained in other Federal
statutes. In this case, the Federal statute which prevents disclosure is 50 U.S.C. § 3142, which
exempts from disclosure operational files of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Colonel Christian Rofrano, Chief Counsel at theN ational Guard Bureau, determined that
some redacted p01iions of the document are exempt from release pursuant to
5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(7)(E), which petiains to records or information that would reveal techniques
and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions or that would disclose
guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if disclosure of the information
could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law.
In view of the above, you may consider this to be an adverse determination that may be
appealed to the Department of Defense, Office oflnspector General, ATTN: FOIA Appellate
Authority, Suite 1OB24, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350-1500. Your appeal, if
any, must be postmarked within 30 days ofthe date of this letter and should reference the file
number above. I recommend that your appeal and its envelope both bear the notation "Freedom
of Information Act Appeal."
Sincerely,

Mark Dorgan
Acting Division Chief
FOIA, Privacy and Civil Liberties Office

  

nse -

 

INTEGRITY * EFFICIENCY* ACCOUNTABILITY* EXCEllENCE

Mi~~ion

Our mission is to provide Independent, relevant, ami timely ovcrsi[Jht
of the Depc;rtment ofDe[ense tlw( support$ the Warf!ghter; promotes
accountclbtlit,y, integrity, amJ effidency; .advises the Secretmy of
Defense and Con,qress; and Informs tile public.

Vi~ion
Our vision is to be a model oversight orgcmtzatlon in tlw Federal
Govemment by Jeacling change, speCiking truth, and prO/noting
eXcC?llence-a diwrse organization workit~,q together as orw
professional team, ri!co,(Jnlzed as leadl!t~~ lwour field.

F!ll' more inflll'llHJ\Ion about whlstlcQiower protec.Uon, please se.e the inside bad( cpvet:

FOR OFFICI/'J.L USE ONLY

 (U) Recommendations

0Jl Objective

(!l)purobjcctiv~wast6de~e.~mh\~Whether

•

(FBHB) We recommend that USD (P) establish a. stm\dardized
formal approval process for UAS support to domestic civil
authorities.

•

(F9\J9j We recommend that USD (P) addr·ess the concerns of
Military SeJvice/National Guard Bureau UAS experts that policy
ambiguity is potentially degrading UAS training and operaUonal
readiness,

•

(FBIJBj We also recommend that the USD (P) fo1'mally charter
the Domestic Imagery Working Group.

.·I.Jh~ liotici.~$ •. ~.~~ .Ptoce.dyr~~ fo.r ~sing l)ol)
UAs ••.~.!l ~lt"?~,~~~~ w~essi9!J. ~lljliOJ~tlon.

an.~ ~i$~~mlratloJi·att~vitie$ compl)'·witl)
· ap~I!C<lble !~ws, regul~tions, and ~ational
p~IIci~"'for prov!dl~gs~ppoit ~·d.0triestic
. civil ~4.t;l)otltie~.
·· ·
··

·cv)
Fir~tu~g
Mll<!P

i$(ullY..~mpllantwitlilaws,

regt~l~~ons.o~~4~~ti9n~i.p~llcie~.fqr oAs
s~pport~o
civil-_-_.--\:_:
authorities,
,.,·.··.
·- dnmeS\lc
,____
,.-_, ,_
--'

•

•\'

,_

__

(!JJ l.lnltsi>Perati.n~\l(l~st!)Id us
!lta.r,y;h!!et1!eyundemamttbe
Am!ific:l\r!I>Ublic'sll'l!itlliiate
~oMetnlrab9\itc!0llibettles.an\l

privacy n~htS,they dotlqt•.o~.er.it.e
ww~ any qtlferentlyfrl'liJ) tnarined

.

platf(lr~ )Yitll slmllarcapabilities.

(U) Management Comments and Our
Response
(U) The Assistant Secretary ofDefense for Policy, Homeland Defense &
Global Security concurred with our recommendations, and no further
comments are required. Please see the Recommendations Table on the
next page.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONlrY

Recommendations Table
'

'

'

ReC!lmmenaatmns '

t\11

anagemt!nt

'

l<eg)l1r11Jg Gomment

No Additional
Comments,Reguired

'

Under Secretary of Defense for

Polley

FOR OFFJCIAb USE ONbY

' ,
;

'

 FOR OJZFIClAb USS ONh-Y
INSPEC1'0R llF.NP.IlAL
OEPARTM~NT Ol' lllli'F.NSil

4900 MARK CENTER DRIVE
ALF.XANI>RIA. VIRGINIA 22350-150(}
March 20, 2015

MEMORANDUM FOR SECRBTARY OF DEI'ENSB
UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR POLICY

SUBJECT: (UJ llvaluationofDoD's Usc of Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Support to
Civil Authorities (Report No. DODIG·2015·097)
(U) Tho Ooputy IG. Intelligence and Special Program Assessments (I SPA) Is providing this report

for your information and use.
(U) We considered management commentsona draft of this report when preparing tho final

report. Comments from the Office ofAssistant Secretary ofOefense for Policy, Homeland
Dofenso & Global Socurity wore responsive for all recommendations.
(U) We appreciate the courtesies e~tended to the staff. Please direct ques~om to n.e at

(703) 699--DSN 664Jiiao. . . . . .t(703) 699-J>SN 4 9 9 -

PQR OFPIGIAb YSB QNb¥

 POR OFPICil'.l, USB ONL-Y

Contents
(U) Introduction
(U) ObJecdve ....................................................... ,..................................................................................................................................... , 1
(U) Background ............................................................................................ ,..,,.. ,, ...........................................................,, .. ,.....,............. 1

(U) Scope and Methodology ............................ _ ........................................................................................................................... 2

(U) Finding ........................................ ~···~·············~~~······&········ 3
(l'900} DoD Is Fully Compliant with Laws, Regulations, and National Policies for UAS Support to Civil
Authorlttes ........ ,,N,,,,,... ., .............. ,,..,,,,,.,,,.,,,..,,,,,.,.,.,.,,.,,,,.,.,,,.,,.,,.. ,,,,,N,.,.,.,.. ,.,,.,, ..,,~ ............ ~ •• ,, ..... , .......................................................... 3
(UJ StatutotY Envlt·otunent for Umploymont oflloD UAS In Domestic Operations ..................................................... 3

(U) Office of the SecretatY of Defense Unmanned Aircraft System Policy and Guidance ............................................ !

Military Service and National Guard Bureau Implementation and Execution of DoD UAS Policy .................. 2
(U) DoD UAS Support to Civil Authoritlos Evonts ............... ,..................................,.... ,............................................................. 3
(l'900} DoD Does Not Have a Standardized Approval Process for UAS Support to Domestic
Civil Authorities..............,........... ,.............................................................................................................,............................................ 4
(U)

(l'900} Setvice and National Guard UAS Experts ~i<pressed Concern that l'ollcy Ambiguity Is
Potentially Deg•·adln g UAS Trafnlng and Operational Readiness. .... ~ ..........................-..... ~...........,_.. ~............................. 5

(U) Impact ofDoD UAS Polley on Processing, Exploltallon, and Dissemination for DSCA ......... ,............................... 6

(U) The Domestic lmagetY Worldng Group ....................................................................................... ,.....~................................ 7
(U) Concluslon ...............- ......__.,,,,, ...._,,, ...........................................................................................................:........................... 8
{FOOet Reconirnendations, Management Comments, and Our Response ............................... ~ .................,....................... 0

(U) Management Comments ....................... .'....................... 10
Asslstaltt Secretary o( Defense for Policy ""''""""""'""'"'""""""'""'"'""'"""'""""'""'""""'"""'""""'"'"'"'"'""""'"'"""""""10

Appendixes*········~·,·~··········~················································

17

(U) DoD Offices VIsited .................................................................................................................................... .,,,,,,,.. ,.,.. ,,..............17

(U) Unit's VIsited and Location ,.............................................................................. ~..................................................................... 18

(U) Use or Computer· Processed Data ........,... _,,.,,,,.,, __ .,,, ...............-................ ,.. _,,,, ...................... ,_,.,,,M............ ~ ......... ~ ............. lB

(U) Prlor Coverage '""'"""'"""'""'""'"'"""""'"""'"""'"""'"""'"""'""""'""""""'""""'"'""""'""""'""'"'"""""'"""' .........................18

{U) Acronyms and Abbreviations .......................................... 19

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

 FOR OFFICIAl:. ygg mil:.¥

in!roritieiin:l

(U) Introduction
(U) Objective

(U) Our objective was to determine whether DoD policies and procedures for using DoD
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and associated processing, exploitation, and
dissemination (PED) activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and national
policies for providing support to domestic civil authorities.

(U) Background
(U) During the last 10 years, the quantities and types ofUAS acquired by the Military
Services have increased. Their capabilities, along with PED enhancements, have
become integral to warflghter operations across the spectrum of conflict.
The prevalence and uses of unmanned systems continue to grow at a
dramatic pace. The past decade of conflict has seen the greatest
Increase in UAS, primarily perfonillng Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Use of unm_anned syStemS in other

domains is growing as well. The growth of unmanned systems use is

expected to continue across most domains. Unmanned systems have
proven they enha.nce situational awareness, reduce human workload,
improve mission perf01·mance, and minimize overall risk to both
civilian and milital}' personnel and all at a reduced cost'
(U) Effective use of these unmanned capabilities requires highly-trained UAS vehicle
operators, sensor and payload operators, and analysts to process, exploit, and
disseminate the data collected. The Military Se1vices train all UAS personnel at various

1

DoD, ~unmanned SystEms-lntesra.ted Roadmap FY 2013·203S"

.
,-{('ill'lr! No. DOlliC-701" U1J'/ i l

FOR OFFIG!l',b YSB ON!:.¥

 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

1ntmduclion

(U) locations around the country. The training is specifically designed to ensure that
UAS' and personnel can be operationally employed to satisfY combatant commanders'
overseas warfighting requirements.
More than ten years of war in the combat zones oflraq and Afghanistan
have taught a generation of Airman valuable lessons about the use of
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)' and other ISR assets. The lesson yet
to be learned, however, is that this battle space experience is not
directly applicable to operations in the U.S. As the nation winds
down tl1ese wars, and USAF RPA and ISR assets become available to
support other combatant command (COCOM) or U.S. agencies, the
appetite to use then1 in the domestic environment to collect ah·borne
imageJy continues to grow, as does Congressional and media interest In
their employment>

(U) Scope and Methodology
(U) The evaluation was conducted in accordance with Quality Standards for Inspection
and Evaluation issued by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and
Efficiency. Those standards require that we plan and perform the evaluation to obtain
sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and
conclusions hased on our evaluation objectives.
(U) Our evaluation included a review of Federal Statutes, DoD policy and directives,
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instructions, Service policy and directives, and
National Guard Bureau (NGB) policy and directives, We also conducted Interviews with
personnel from across the Department responsible for policies and procedures for the
conduct of UAS operations {See the Appendix).

2

~

The USAF uses the term Remotely Piloted Aircraft Instead of UAS.

"Protecting Security and Privacy~ An Ano.fytical Framework for Airborne Domestic lmagery/1
Colonel DaWn M.K. loldl, USAF; USAF Law ftevtew1 Vol70
b
J{c~purt

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONI:rY

Nn. DOHHt<.~Ol :r\19'/j 2

 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Finding

(FOUO} QqO I~ Fully CompliaMwith ~aws,
Regylatio!'lliiand .National Poli~;ies for UAS support
to Civil Authorities.
(f'!)O(l) W.e foun~'Uo!Widenijetll~t !!llY\)()1). entity l!sipg IJAS'$ ()ra$~96Wed PllD
in $upport9Nom!!$ti~ ~ivll <ll)thoritle~.tQ elute•. h~$ vi()lateel or I$ n.~tln
wmpUance With ail·statutor,y, policy. odntelligenceovetslghtrequiremelits.<~.

(U) We visited a cross-section of National Guard, U.S. Army, U.S. Nayy, U.S. Marine Corps,
and U.S. Air Force operational UAS and Intelligence units that have capabilities or
responsiblllt!es for processing UAS collected information. These unit visits or "spot
checks" were conducted to determine the personnel's level of understanding and
compliance with DoD policy and Service directives for employing DoD UAS In support of
civil authorities.

(U) Statutory Environment for Employment of
DoD UAS in Domestic Operations
(U) There are various controlling federal statues that define what the DoD is authorized
t(l provide to domestic civil authorities. They include Title 10, Title 32, Title 42, and
Title 50. There are no federal statutes that specifically address the employment of the
capabllit;y provided by a DoD UAS if requested by domestic civil authorities. Therefore,
• Sections 375, 382, 2564, 9442, and Chapter 1S of title 101 Unite~ States Code; title 32, United States Code;
sectiOns 300hh~ll.and 5121, and Ch~pt~t 15A Of title ~2, United States Code; title SO, United States Codli:
Executive Order 12333.- "United States Intelligence Actlvitles,H December 4, 1981, as amended; DoD 5240.1·R1
"Proccdures.Goverillng the_Actlvltles, of OoD/ntelltgence Components That Affect U11ited S~ai_e·s Persons,"
December 1982; 000 OlrecUve 302S.l81 "Defense Support to Civil Authorities," December 29, 2010; DEPSECDEF

Memotlndum, "Interim Guidance for the Oomesth;; USe of Unmanned Aircraft Systems," September 28, 2006.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONirY

 FOR OPPICh'tb tJSEi ONb-Y

DoD and the Military Services have developed a policy framework for the domestic use
(U) of the UAS capability in accordance with the authorities granted for generic defense
support. The framework also covers executive level policies that were developed to
protect fully the legal rights of all United States persons, including freedoms, civil
liberties, and privacy rights guaranteed by Federal law.
(U) Given that the primary operational mission of the majority of DoD UAS assets Is the
collection of intelligence, DoD UAS domestic operations are also subject to Bxecutive
Order 12333, "United States Intelligence Activities," and DoD Directive 5240.1-R,
"Procedures Governing the Activities of DoD Intelligence Components That Affect
United States Persons, December 1982."

{U) Office of the Secretary of Defense Unmanned
Aircraft System Policy and Guidance
(U) In addition to the Intelligence Oversight directives, DoD UAS continental U.S.
operations are conducted under a unique DoD policy directive. On September 28, 2006,
the Deputy Secretary ofDefense signed the "Interim Guidance for the Domestic Use of
Unmanned Aircraft Systems.'' The purpose was to ensure that DoD UAS are used in
accordance with U.S.law and departmental framework. The directive also identifies the
appropriate use of DoD UAS assets In domestic operations. This guidance applies to all
DoD UAS, used in domestic operations, whether operated by Active, Reserve, National
Guard, or othet' personnel. s

s While tkls memorandum directed the ASD Polley, Uomcland Ocfcnse1 to develop 11 ... a n'lorecomp~ehcnslve pollc:y

document for Domestic Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems." when this assessment began, the 2006 Interim go! dance
remained the guiding DoD policy for domestic UAS operation<.

FOR OFFlGIAb USB ONbY

 POR OPFIGlAb l:JSH mlbY

(U) The interim policy encourages the use of DoD UAS to support appropriate domestic
mission sets, incl~tdlng homeland defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities
(DSCA), DoD Directive 3025,18, "Defense Support of Civil Authorities,"
September 21,2012, Is the guiding DSCA policy document for the DoD.
"DSCA is support provided by U.S.I'ederal military forces, DoD civilians,
DoD contract personnel, DoD Component assets, and, in coordination
with the Governors, federally funded National Guard forces in response
to requests for assistance from civil authorities for domestic
emergencies, law enforcement support, and other domestic act_ivitics,

or from qualifying entitles for 'special events.''"
(U) The interim policy is highly restrictive on actual authorization. It specifically
forbids the use of DoD UAS for DSCA operations, including support to Federal. State,
local, and tribal government organizations, unless expressly approved by the Secretary
of Defense (SECDEF), or designate. Interviews with Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Homeland Defense and America's Security Affairs personnel indicate that, to date, the
SECDEF has not delegated this approval authority.

(U) Military Service and National Guard Bureau
Implementation and Execution of DoD UAS Policy
(U) Our interviews with Military Service and NGB personnel revealed that they operate
UAS of various capabilities and configurations and approach the employment ofUAS
for DSCA differently, primarily because of Service culture and overall UAS
operational experience.
(U) We reviewed all Se1vice DSCA directives and found that while each Service has
overarching doctrine, policy, or Instructions for implementing OSD directives for DSCA;
their implementation ofOSD policy on UAS use for DSCA varies greatly. For example,
U.S. Army FM 3-28, "Civil Support Operations, Appendix H, UAS in Civil Support,"
August 2010, states that "... all requests for UAS must be approved by the Secretary of
(U) Defense." On the other hand, U.S. Air Force, Air Combat Command Instruction
' Defense Support of Clvll Authorities (DSCA), 11\teragency Partner Gulde, April 2013, Office of the Assistant Secretary of

Oefense (Homelond Defense &Americas' SecuritY Affairs.)

FOR OFFICIAb USE ONU.'

!!np!1rl No. DlHJIG·lOI ~-) 0971 '1.

 F8R 8FFICIAh HSS smr'I

10-810, "Operations Involving Domestic Imagery Support Request Procedures for
U.S. Missions,'' December 2013, states that" ...use of intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance, operations reconnaissance; and remotely 11iloted aircraft, particularly
for DSCA missions operating collection systems outside of DoD-controlled airspace
within the U.S. may7 require Secretary of Defense approval." The U.S. Navy and the U.S.
Marine Corps do not currently have specific directives or instructions for UAS use for
DSCA. The NGB DSCA directives for UAS employme1\t is a reflection of their Service
affiliation, i.e.; Air National Guard units comply with U.S. Air Force.instructions and
Army National Guard units comply with U.S. Army UAS directives.

(U) DoD UAS Support to Civil Authorities Events
(FOI:JO) We began our evaluation by requesting from each of the Military Services and
the NGB all examples of instances where a DoD UAS had been employed in support of
civil authorities in the continental U.S. or U.S. Territories from September 2B, 2006, to
the present. These dates were chosen to coincide with the release of the current
interim guidance for UAS support to domestic civil authorities. We requested that for
each instance the following data should be provided: date of request, requesting
authority, summary of request, approval process with documentation, summary of
event, and any lessons learned if applicable. We also asked for denied requests.
(POI:JO) This data call resulted in a relatively short collated list ofless thanlwenly
events that could be categorized as DoD UAS support to domestic civil authorities. The
list consisted of both approved and disapproved requests. We then Interviewed both
Service and NGB Headquarters personnel who processed these requests up through the
Service approval process to OSD. During our unit visits we also discussed these events
with the unit commanders to understand how they viewed the approval process, as well
as how the interim guidance policy impacted the actual support request.

1

emphasis adde(,t,

F8R 8FI'IGIP.b HSS 8PH:iY

 FOR OFFICIAb YSS mlbY

(I'OUO) Service and NGB Headquatters representatives told us that each of the DoD UAS
support requests was processed differently. A number of the approval requests were
processed through normal DoD training event channels that are managed by the joint
staff. A few were processed through Service channels working with OSD. And we heard
that some were handled directly between the OSD staff, SECDEF, and civil authorities
telephonically. We were unable to uncover any formal documentation procedures that
defined the end-to-end approval process. We were told that this ad hoc process
contributed to anxiety among the Service andNGB unit commanders about when they
had the authority to employ their UAS resources as requested.

(FOIJO) DoD Does Not Have a Standardized Approval
Process for UAS Support to Domestic Civil Authorities.
(FOUO) While the current OSD interim guidance for DoD UAS Support to Civil
Authorities provides guidance on UAS employment and when to requestSECDEF
approval, it does not provide a mechanism for how to process that r e q u e s t . S"GB (b}(7)(E)

:-1GB (b)(7)(El

FOR OFFICIAb I:JSE O~lbY

 FOR OFFICIAL I:JSB mlb-Y

(FOUO) Service and National Guard UAS Experts
Expressed Concern that Policy Ambiguity is Potentially
Degrading UAS Training and Operational Readiness.
(1'\HJO) Multiple units told us that as forces using UAS capabilities continue to draw
down overseas, opportunities for UAS realistic training and use have decreased. UAS
unit commanders explained that providing UAS support to civil authorities could yield
more realistic training opportunities and increase operational readiness. However,
multiple commanders also stated that as a result of the restrictive approval processes
for domestic UAS use, policy confusion, and Internal Service hesitations, potential
training opportunities are missed.
(POIJCJ) USAF representatives told us that the OSD policy makes it difficult to determine
what training Is acceptable for DSCA UAS missions. For example, a unit submitted a
request to use a remotely piloted aircraft (MQ·l Predator and/or MQ·9 Reaper) to
support incident awareness and assessment during Ike season training with the
Department of Energy. The unit was informed that although the training met the
qualifications expressed in the Air Combat Command Domestic Imagery Training
Proper Usc Memorandum (PUM),• the activity was classified as DSCA, since this was
support for wlld fires to an outside agency and, therefore, required SECi>EF approval.
Since the request was for incident awareness and assessment during the entire
fire season, the unit chose not to pursue blanket approval because of what they felt was
an onerous approval process.
(POliO) Another example was provided by the Army and Air National Guard. In this
case, a DSCA exercise was proposed to NGB (b)(7}(E)

3

Proper Use Memorandum: a memorandum signed annually by an organltatlon's certifying government offleial that defu,es
the organbatlons domestlc Imagery requirements and Intended osc. It also contains a proper use statement

acknowledging awareness of the legal and policy restrictions regarding domestic Imagery, AF114-104, 23 Apr 2012

FOR OFFICIAb I:JSB m!b¥

Htiporl No, IHJDH.i-20 I 1i .fJIJ7 ] G

 FOR OFFICIAb USB ON bY

We were also told about a DSCA training exercise with the Department of
Energy using a U.S. Air Force remotely piloted aircraft that was conducted without
formal SECDEF approval. This exercise was for incident awareness and assessment
support of a simulated hazardous material release on Department of Energy property.
The training met all of the Internal Service guidelines and was forwarded for approval.
However, since the exercise was conducted within DoD restricted airspace, the Joint
Staff determined that approval was not required. Our interviewees explained that this
left them confused about just when the OSD policy requiring SECDEF approval of UAS
support for DSCA applied.
(~'Q!JQ~

(FQ!JQ~

Finally, a U.S. Marine Corp UAS unit told us that once each month their wing
hosts a community leadership program where local politicians are invited to view and
learn about the capabilities of the various aircraft on base. During one such event, a
local mayor requested UAS support to look for potholes In the area. While the unit
conceded that this type of operation could provide realistic training for their pilots and
sensor operators, local commanders determined that under the interim guidance,
requesting SECDEP approval to conduct a UAS mission of this type did not make
operational sense.

(U) Impact of DoD UAS Policy on Processing,
Exploitation, and Dissemination for DSCA
(JlQYQ) Along with interviewing various units operating UASs, we also interviewed
organizations responsible for performing the PED of UAS collected data. We met with
National Geaspatiallntelligence Agency (NGA) personnel responsible for ensuring that
NGA and other Defense Intelligence Components comply wjth the domestic collection of
tactical imagery consistent with DoD 5240.1-R. While NGA does not operate UASs they
do provide PED support to DoD DSCA and other Federal agency UAS operations within
the United States. NGA(b)(}) '0USC §Jl42
NGA(b)Ol

souse

§3142

FOR OFPICIAb USB mlbY

 FSR SFFIGIAb HSE

S~H:rY

Findlng

,'GA(b)(3) 'iOUSC §

~1<1.2

(PIHJO) U.S. Air l'ot·ce units operating UASs rely on the Air Force Distributed Common

Ground System (DCGS) for the II· PED support. We visited the 480<11 intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing and two subordinate DCGS elements to capture
their processes for DSCA UAS PED support. The Wing executes any DSCA support
mission <J.Ccordingto tasking from USNORTHCOM. USNORTHCOM Contingency
Plan 3501, DSCA, serves as the COCOM's plan for DoD responses to civil requests for
support, including ISR asset support. The 480lh Wing has no formal policy for DSCA
support, but does comply with Air Combat Command Instruction 10-810, "Operations
Involving Domestic Imagery Support Request Procedures," for US Missions as well as
U.S. Air Force and DoD Intelligence Oversight directives.
(FOY03 The U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps currently have no UAS-speciflc policies for
domestic UAS PED. 'GA(b)(.l) 50USC §3W

(POYO) The U.S. Army also does not have UAS-specific policies for domestic UAS PED.
However, because current USA policy prohibits UAS civil support outside of DoD
managed airspace, they feel that compliance with ail applicable intelligence oversight
regulations is sufficient to meet OSD policy guidance.

(U) The Domestic imagery Worldng Group
(U) During our evaluation we also observed how the Services and NGB are working
together to address some of the challenges associated with the current OSD policy on
the DoD domestic UAS use for DSCA. we discovered that an informal body, known as
the Domestic Imagery Working Group (DlWG), was attempting to address some ofthe
concerns raised by the UAS units. The DIWG is a cross-functional and multi-service

FSR OFFI€1Ab HSE

S~lbY

 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONIN

informal working group consisting of lawyers, operators, intelligence professionals, and
policy makers formed to address the collection of domestic imagery. We interviewed
nmltlple members of the DlWG and heard that the group was originally created to help
determine the approval authorities required to conduct the collection of domestic
imagery by all airborne ISR collection assets, including UAS. Over time the DIWG
narrowed its focus to address DoD UAS support to civil authorities and informally
captures lessons learned and best practices that are shared among the Services and
NBG. The DIWG has produced a number of recommendations on UAS employment
processes and legal guides to help the Services el)sure policy compliance. Presently, the
DIWG is championed by USAF representatives, but each of the Services and
NGB participate. The DIWG is a best practice that should be leveraged to assist the
policy and Service communities in addressing the unique challenges of operating UAS in
the U.S.

(U) Conclusion
(FOHO) We concluded that DoD takes the issue of DoD. UAS support to domestic civil
authorities very seriously. Great care is taken by DoD personnel to protect the
American public's civil liberties and privacy rights while simultaneously preparing to
employ UAS capabilities as required by National Command Authorities. Our r!!vlew of
UAS policy implementation across the department, coupled with our unit visits to
discuss actual events, did not reveal evidence that any DoD entity has employed a UAS
or conducted PED in supl)ort of domestic civil authorities contrary to laws, regulations,
or national policies. It should pe noted that the units operating UASs across the
department told us that, while they understand the American public's legitimate
concerns about civillibel·ties and privacy rights, they do not operate UASs any
differently from manned platforms with similar capabilities.

(fOUO) Recommendations, Management Conwnents,
and Our Response
(fOUO} Recommendation 1
(¥GOO) We recommend that USO (P] establish a standardized formal approval process for UAS
support to domestic civil authorities.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Report No. OODIG<WEi·O<J'll H

 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Finding

(FOUO) Assistant Secrctwy of Dcji·nsc jiJr /'o/i<y. 1-lonw/und Defense &
Glohal Security
(FOUO) ASD (P) concurred wltl1 the recommendation and stated that Deputy Secretary of Defense Polley
Memorandum 15-002, "GUidance for the Domestic Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems'', February 17, 2015,
addresses this Issue, They also stated they Will continue to work with the Military Services and National
Guard Bureau to address any uncertainty in the approval process.

(U) Our Ucspo11se
(U) Comments from theASD (P) are responsive to our recommendation. The Deputy Secretary ofDefense
Pol!cy Memorandum 15-002, which Is an update to the 2006 "Interim Guidance for the Domestic Use of
Unmanned Alr<raft Systems", proVIdes the necessary dartty to tl1e Military Services and National Guard
Bureau on the approVal process for UAS support to domestiC civil authorltlcs.

(FOUO} Recommendation Z
{F900) We recommend that USD (P) address the concerns of Military Service/National Guard Bureau
UAS experts that policy ambiguity is potentially degrading UAS training and operational readiness.

(r8lJO) Assistant Secrer.wy of Dej(~11se for l'olh;y, //orne/and Dc/(!11St' &
G/o/1a/ ScCIII'i~V
(FOOet-ASD (P) concurred with the recommendation and stated t11at Deputy Secretary ofDefense Polley
Memorandum 15-00~, "Guidance for the Domestic Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems", February 17, ~015,
addreSses this Issue,

{Ill Our flcsponse
(U) Comments ftom the ASD (P) are responsive to 0:\lr recommendation. The Deputy Secretaiy of Defense
Polley Memorandum 15-002, has addressed the majorlt)i of the Military Services and National Guard
Bureau's concerns about pollcy ambiguity Impacting uAs training and operational readiness.

(FOUO) Recommendation 3
{F900) We also recommend that the US!) (P) formally charter the Domesti.c Imagery Working Group
(DIWG.)

{FOlJO) Assistunt Secrelruy oj /Jeji•nse filr p,j/fcy, 1/umdwnl Defense ,r;::

(1/oha/ Security
(FOOet-ASD (P) concmTed In principle to formally chartering the DIWG. They will work with the DIWG
lead servJce to develOp the approprhttc working group leadership coristruct to champion DoP UAS
Initiatives.

{U) Our fill.l'(lonse
[U) Comments from the ASD (P) are responsive to our recommendation. The DIWG was a "best practice"
Identified during our evaltlatlon.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

 Managmmim Cmm?nmtis

 

.. amagemem  ems



 

2-. 434.. .. my.?  

 

Mgi?amg?mataw Gt ?efmm my $35k?

 



gamma?
?35933?) W?zq?f?f?w?
magma-mm. m: 

 


. -mwav

Mammxalm FOR of nus ugmn?mmt OF DEFENSE

Evaluation ofDoD't Us: at {Imamtmd Ania! swam: for 8:39pm Civit
Authorities [PrOjcqt 41071309}

. W'Fhw you rc'vi?w 3w: Malian oifDoD?sm of
M1411 mam? tit-63.} for to that! asumilim .?lbe Dammit! .W??th
Wtdatimsl and quxalim Hammad): in timtecontmt'mdatiqm an:
Wham in the Feimmry INS. Ikm?uy  armiech hallo} Mman 15-09:.
"(hikich for the anti-aft 33mm." W6 WI mutiny.th Wm 
with the' MHin Services amt National to mum Et?t'li'm??illb' in the approval
prongs.

. chgatding the timiglc to fon?all}
chum-1' tqumitcs'tic Imam}- Working timup (Dthjit. We wt]! tujtkwit the 1W6 3:94
Senion Ila-atop the amt-prime ssmkidg gmup ?c?d?t?hlp rm! Io champion 
initiatives.- 

furth?ggistamc 'mnry
point of contact forthis matter(571) 2515
It. Emmi: 
Attaclmonti

Dorms Patic'y Munmmdum 15.002

 

 

uu?cta?m?m?eW

 

 

F9R: 9FFI61Ab HSB 9fiM'

MHt1~~.genn~nt

Co!nnwlits

D~PUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Ufll OI!HkU J>.i:UAI)GN
WAfHllHGYON, bC iUOMOU

h~\Jr.Ut)'

17,2015

MEMOHANIJLiM fOR SH:R.f.lARW.S OFT1Jf! Mlll'fAJlY DEI•ARTh.t\!NtS

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CltiEfS OF STAff
tiNl>Pt SECR~-I'ARYOF DEf""ENSE FOR ACQUlMliON.
TIWHfi.'OLOOV, ANU LOOL'i.TICS

UN DEl\ SJ:CRETARY OF DEFENS[ FOR POUCY
UNOfJt !Sf,(;H.I:;TARY OF Uf.H::NSE FOR PERSONNEL ANIJ
1ti":AOIN)~SS

UNDUt sr£RtTARV OF OEICNSE FOR INTELLIG!iNCI:
COMMANDI'R, U.S. NORTI!UlN COMMAND
COMMANOliR,

IJ.S. PAnnccO~iMAND

Clllm·, NA110NAI GIIART> llUI<fAU
Gt:Nl1RAL

COUNSEL- OF' TilE OEl'Airt MfrN f Of Ut:Ff:NS!i
AS51SfAt>r ~1-:CRF!'AR\' OJ.' IJr:ft~St': fORU:OIStA TJVl:'

AFFAIRS
DP.PARTMtNl' Of llri'HNSE CIIIW INI'OitMA'riON OHict'R
ASSIST MIT TO nm·sr;crurrAR\' OF UfTl!NSt. FOR PUHLK
AfFAIRS
SF.NIOll INTEI.I.IG~NCfl OVJ:RSIGHT Ol'FI('~I\

SIJBJEN: Polity Memorandwn IS-002, ''('mldmcc rorlh~ Domtllic Usc ofUnmmntd
1\ln:n\1\ S)!h.<fl!~"
EXPIRATION DATI!: Fel>owy 17,2018
POI'Nl' OF CONTACT;

&1or mo"'

lnrumwtlon, «~ntco;t flASil(HD&OS) al (571) 2S61Ji

11Us po11o)'tnemonhdum provfdos Buldat\co forlho domt;Stlc usc ofuruno.nncd Alrm.l\

a)'$mJ'(lfAS) w truwo,thot »cporlfn.:nt "r~r~ru~o@oi.))OAS aro urw In~~ with

U.S. bw 111d DoDpolky, Md to omlurc tlt•q!PJI>Pfl"" 1110 of DoD UAS""" In dom..llo
fJIWIIlh'lru, trainlnt ntttbet. Md wnlng.
DoD domedlc tvlatiQn OJ~r•limu ~uppott Uomtluid lkfciiM:: (HDl. O~femc Support of
Civil Authorities (DSCA)1 and miliW)' ltalnlng and rxt:n:lstl. llnlw;a 5p0eific.ally l'f'O\•idedfcr
ln ihb polk:y, law, or otbcrgufd!\JI!;(', th~ &pprovd ofdw 8"rdttt)' ofPcfm~W Is ~equiml for all
dommlcliAS ofl'I'IIM> (ln<:ludlngiiD, DSCA, ondNIIIontl 0uW (NO) Slllo support
oporalions,II>Ciudlng DoD UAS op<Mcd byNOJ><nOMCIIn TiU. 32 or Stole Activclluty
$laM). 1\ny domtallo uso or UAS requlrct wrm~hntlon whh the Fcdcml Avt•tlon
Administration (lt/t.A) and muat be con:tlstcrrt \VJih 119PII~:&hto lo.wt. NJUI41lonl, and mcmoran44
ofa~ent conurnlng the opcmtk)IU ofUAS In tha Na!lontl AI~ System (MAS). This
gutdsnco applies to 1111 DoD UAS wo in the Un1tcd States(heroafter"domestlousc.. (It "domcatlo

l.iiQR 9FFI6l:\b HS8 8Pftff

Hl~porl

No. DODHi-/AJ1 ~.i·WH 1 l1

 F8R 8FFI8Ifrb ij8fl8NbY

Mnw11;t~ntmll

l'nllrr MeltWmtdumiJ·IJ02
I.Jf'Ctndblu''). \~hcdlcre!pc"mt«< by or un!kreM!tot" tu A.:ti"'c urlte-~ti'Ye C'ttlllp.,.--nMt milltB.ry
ptfY;nnc.l, Cit by ah¢r0"'D ptM11ncl
Unl~ ~nnfttcJ b)• l11w and ilpj}W\'e<l IJ) Ill: Sccl'<-tlt1y or D.:t~nu-, MY ~p TfflWi'IMI

mhi,Q UAS fer dooJer.tlc opcrilti(lm. wbtthcf- ot not !he- OQD UAS IIH it rtlnted to on lntellipttacrivit)', rn&)' rtQt n111duct •un>cUiantt! on P.S. ~t,<tnJ. MUi ft.!iltktkm inch.U..~_! uting on)'
mt3tl&; DoD UAS IU pM Ot'Millrtlti¥itcl DoD l'fif"J"~" 10 to h;l.vful f«<IW$f tiom i!notlk.r
federal ~p~u~nt or ng~y. .C011dwml whh poD l>lrcdhc 5~00.27 1 aud e:ppl~ing the

('vtolghtguldanre cootalr.td inl>oD $240,1-R"IO iutclligcncil and non·lntel!igtncc ...:lalcd

domutlc UAS_ u~, all UAS atqubhitll'l, «.'~llJ«.tl<m, r\-1tlltlon. aM dlncmlnAUon oflntotTMttcn

dutillll dmltllll¢ DoD UAS emplnymet~l will be In ~rdilncC \\lilt M.tndtnJl OiJD un4 DoD

<'Almpo(Km. lnte1ligtncc ovmlght guld&nu end Willltqultt ooordln.atlon w1d u.oviuw ofarropcr
usc mcnwrUJJdum (PUM).
'fbe ft:~llowiiJ88Uidl\llt;t ondltl dome$1lc lise: ofT/AS b rllccli\'1.! immcdhnel)'•
0!!0 Qnwllons
(u >'N'Nprlatueln:uml!lt.no:n, UhS m•)' ~ llUd lo lieu ol'munnN nircMtl (~>rd()mC!>"tlc

mtult:IM. AnmJrrittt thturn~ m.o:y ineludd wttcn:
&ll$tt&lned tndurat1Q.l ~n~•J1>~MO ~qu!rl!'d;

• UMW'.ned a!rmft pmvid¢ ~uptrlt't capabilll.!rs; or
pt1)"il'!'lll11ftftWW:ttltt: linlitatioM JWi'>hll!it tho usc ,lf m411ord tolaty· or thcd:·Win~
11lroran.
uou IJAS In !he Unlud 5tl~tJIJUI)' oo1y ~wed frrr no, DSCA, ondN:O Hla!t "'rPPon

,pmfitm~, lnefudlngopemtlnn• kl SUPfWlrl ttemntl, ~taiL', J~al,llttdtribal gtWeMini!Dt

organltAaon•, lf'l't>""'<d by 1110 ~rttaryofllofcm,.,, DoD lJAS may not be wed for Fedeml.
SIQIO. ot loclllmmod!Mc ~itse.

Armed DoD UAS mi.)' not bo uwd In tho Unltct1 Stu for other than trohtlng. eKtrcl~

and""""'
"""""'"'
tn thooVcntof a n:qtu::.•t for •·eJtlflll

~UR'Qii. thu ChAirman Clftlw JointCbleDt 'ofStaft: tu

conau1tatlon wi~ tho ApproprWo tco8mp1dc Corn~ Comti"IAIJdeh. wUI ptovldG a
recommendation_ to tho S~ry of_IA1f~ conccmlnA the uwofDoD UAS. T(llleek lll'Prov'at

root nther miMlotu, OGD Compont:nts •hould ~the uppro'tGl iu.lhoritics, p~rcs, and

report!~ roqul~nC.t t:ontAJn~ In iiiJlllll«ble l•ws il.nd «lgulollt~n•,~u-ch &\!ICJCS T~Utructl~

3710.010. "DoD Counktdrus su'pport.'1 Support will be provided on a rclmburnble basis
Unleis o1herwlsc ""'ulrcd by JAw, or on 11 nofi·Niml;t\u'fabt~ ~lilfeuch•upportlt both
aulhotlv:d b)' taw ~~d Approved by t\w S«rotary or (kf~.

'lhD IJI'r~h'f 5200.21,,\cqv!flltno oflnf.'{WMi>m 0\~t(<'.!IIJ.: VtnV~t<'tt Orttt1l:t1lon1 Nc» Affitit<kd ~<.ilk the
or [k.ft.Mb.

~ilrlnwa

1l)qD$141),1~ Pmr:Mu1M 'Jownlng lho:: Aithilln d[).)V lnk!l!F.~«"il! 'M,~ntl; tlwAthcllJaiWJ~

"""""

'

fi'Bft Bfi'Pit!!Ab HSE! Bfib't

Cornnwnt;:;

 f'6R 6 fi'f'IEh'rL HS~ 6 NLY

Mauagemcnt Cmitnu:llts

Pclk}' Mrnmrandum IJ.(/02

S1JJ<!NAII!mo~

Ooventors lnSt~ where DoD liAS ll,'«!ts.MUiicldt"d to the S~c:'J; Nnlioual Uu.ml lllilY
not employ OoD UAS without thellj'IJ»U)~I t>ftlt11 Set;"t.!l.at} ofl)tfe~: h<-wm:-r, lheuo
("',ov~oo> may t'OOSider DoD UAS an_rlo)11lC'nl in thtlr planning fordim!ltl.':fft'J;fl'"tt!W nctivlllc-~.
<lovcnwrs who ll:ek to V!>t: PoD UAS nt~ctiJo Jurpon ofStRII) dhadet Naponsc 'hou!J iubmlr
n l'omud rcquntlb \\lilins lo thOc &:creta')' ori)(fcnl.t Sw:h TAttJCMs sh®ldcoJ\tltln the
annly.sh tf)ridnctcd tb11t !f~mnlnetllbBtuthcr mann.r.d 11!r ~'"we~ n~ flJl)'n>Pf(lll~. 1l1C
Clutlnnnn of the Joint Chief~ ofSII)ff, In t.<m!llhMiQfl with the otpproprialt frt(lgNphk Clltn.bata.nt
(umtmtnder, tht: Chief Qf\ltc Ni!llomd UU<lrd Our~il (l'S(ifJ), and thi!' llt'flt(!pt'_i.Qre Mllillf)
l)cpartn'lcl1i ~rettlry, will provide •l't(ummencbtl..,n Ia the !\tmt~t}' (•fP:(tiUt c:nrtc;dmi~e
thouw nfl>flf) UAS ln.$ll(li'Oitcfa StaiC-fNUUt!.
Plon! !ihoutd fllCtor In tOO r.~ure.' m time n-qulrOO (('It FAA e<tluuttatlon foract.ess
to tho umStar)• oiNJ'ACO and to obl-aln Sctrctl!-t)' ofOrf~n'c cmthorlutlon. In Concert whh
Fcd(:orul Llm~'fgcrtc>· Mbgemenl Agtncy·toordlnatcd rc@ouotl planning, &n)' State Chit prop~
th~ '*"of PoD UASin lUi l'lant tt,vuld co.-.nwll with rb~wm:\pc_ndlna eca&rJrhlc ComblltSIJt
Cnmt11itrldcrto Cl151110 that Stflii: and D<ID p1atiJ nutxlmlT~ tmlty--nf tft"ortandenlcl~y.

Tho ~JUly IClC.on tn dle rcqui11mcn1 for approval by the S;:.crelaty o( Defense for llw
U$c orOoO tiAS for domestic op«ollons are ~.1reh and rC$CUC (SARl ml!.,hllu ii\Wh'ins

dldrctsund potenthil _lou i){ life tho.t arc coorOin~tcd by the Air fQrce Re$tU~ Qmdlnnllon
(;et~ltr {AFR(.'Ct, AIMka R~!ll:;mj Coorrllt\llillin C-J.ilttcr {AKRCC), or )oint R~uo C'omdlnodon
Center (JRCO·l'lltifk_ Sp(:dl1Cil1,y,l.ha fnlfO\\ing. tonl~alldef£ mny lPPfO'"O ~"use of' DoD
'JI\S on _an A,flR~(;JAK1tCCI1RCC'...P4Cif1c oourdinated miMion with arroP«I)' luu~ SAR.
ml~~:~-lon f'Umbcr after adelmnilllltlm that UAS would be the-~ pffllfonn to aul:u ln the SAR.
tnlssirm. nnd that it!l usc would nu' lntcrfrr., with tOO primiU)' trtllltluy duti~ of tho unh
C()I\Cfl"'ed:
•

u.s.

f!llQUnOI'Idct,
'Nnrthem l."t)ntmand, through tltc Com~, Afr Forus 'Northern,. in
tho dolo.~ role oflnlo.nd SAR Opomtl!lfl~ twrdlruator the continental United

ror

StateS S~reh and R~uu Jleglon:
" (:ouinwtdCr, U.s. Nnitlu:m Command, duougblhe Colnlill\ndcr, Al&k&n ~nmand~ 111
~M Operotiotu Coordinator tor the l\llitondorfScarch and R.ci<:uo P.cstan,liM~w qf

Alaska; or
• Q.mma.nder, U._S. Pao_lfioCommMd, _In lhe rolo ofSAR Coordinntorforthc tandntllu of
Haw11U, In close coordination wllh the' U.S. Co.!tlt <.hwd.
llach co1Mtanderwlll cmauro t.lmt ntllo!VII.Intclllgonec ovcntght(lncludll\811W requirement to
PUM~ l'ril'oiCJ' Att,/Oid ''"""" ' - tUe I""!''VlJ"«<d"'""' 1!><11 """'"'ndcr•111
pt"omptly inf(lrm the Sr:rteUI.ry .uf llefenst, tbrQugh rlfll-1tilpt\i\l~· ch:tf)tt!:l-9-.llf\er lho uso oi'DoD
UA.~ hAl! tx:cn approved

"'*'"' •

f'6R 6f'fi'IE11\L HS~ 6NhY

l{eport No. fH.HHG·i!(H !'l·097j13

 FQR QFFISIAh HSE 81fh't

Ma1tagenwn\ Comnwnts

Ute All~lstonl Sew: till)' of Dcrtn~e- fot Tl(lmcl~nd Dcfrnsc _ruld Gl(lbll1 Scc:urity
(t\SI)(1ID&0S)J wtllluc-lud¢ thi~ SARetctpli(ln ln I~ n...,_l tfViil011 orDol> Dlrettiu~
lOlS-.18, ''OcftiJ~e S\~lf'\lr1 otCMI Autlmrhir.~.''

The primM)' pi!IJXlSO ofdomc:rtie llAS training 1\fld exercises is for P:oD fon.'Cb to
~:oodul.\1 ren.lj~tlc training In their core l'~(.'faf milllttr)' !11!~9h:ih IU't4J, DoD UAS used h1 tfainlng
nud ex~:rd~ wlll not.c.qul~ or ('(lfl~t inf,-,mu:tion (e-t;cept for ~nci!kntal cotlettlon) about

"{'"ifiilt U,S, ~n~ or OOtl·DOf) 'ontroUcd pr9pcrty fir faciiiUcs I~X.t'lled nutsldo DoD·
«Jnlrolh:d ln~mlllltions witlli'Ut amscot. All UAS l\l:qJllsitinn, roue~liOf1t r&nlk!n, and
dliStm~hm tJflnrorm:~lton will b(f in lltC(Irdmce whh stnodln;.; Doll hl:B\ll~timu Md policy,
including l,)(lu (.'nmponent lnielll~nee ol'tufg:bt guld.wre, and will ttqulre o !JtJM.

Usc urDoD OAS Wtl$ Jn dQili\.'J>IIc lmln!li$ -.td tJ:X~(('iS-e!l nVJUltn:

• l11iut notlfl{:ftlfnn to 1J10 Se¢rcLUy of'Ocf'en~~ lftl10 plntftmn ill !llilriJ"Il OoD UAS1 an4
b to~ used 1n tNIInlnl! JUd tl:rt<i~~ ()J.rui& IM')~bOOul«< ~1111 Ust: alrspace

tSIIM:'

• rtlot IIJ'IHllYal ~ytb~:~ $~rclilry ~~r IJcfmk I(~ UAS b_llmltd ttnd will bc1ued Ina
ltaluing. e)(~rcl~. ortetling cVcnlO\NTdc DoD Sl'A; nnd
• Prior nppnw41.J by the Set('CIIll')' ufi)(tnmu· filr cny OoD UAS trnltling tnd exmbes
ct~ndut:t~ wltb r:~dmJ, State. or lrxaiiQw enforcement agcm:i~~ (I.I!A5). iltcludlliS
any DoJ) UAS lmlni!1g lind oxtrcl'es planntd In c~_ordlnn!IQn wltb L!At to meet
Lu,\ lnt"om\11\lou needs ln.uetHdan« with 10 U.,,C. § 371(b).
'rhc nolltl~lon to or n:q,u"1 for approv11l by tho Secrttary ofl>efcnwrcqolrcd by this
«dion will be sttbmitted to tho 5tW~Y nt IC8113~ dQ.y& prl<'rto tho trotnlna, ~erofsq, ur
tt:ati11go\"cat through t~pproprit.l.e Mlliwty Dcp!Utl:nont/Sorvlco, COtn~t l'mnmand, or NOB
cltannels via the Joint Start(J..J)• .nd maybe subnilttcd either on 01.11$C>-by-c«<I basis ot In baldt
fCinnat for periods not to exceed on~ enlcndar YCilt' In odvAnw of tho propowd exctc_~ ot
trJintng.
·
~JI. lmJnlgg. tnd

ActMtlJ!lNot Rt;qulrod by QQQ

ANmugh poD t,.'(jlllf!mt:llt l~"'cd w~ t.fG h vfic.ti IH'IIilabl~ f;.tr_usc: In· Stitt U<w~:m<Jn
(or nou-DoO Jruq~($, S«-t¢ta,l) Q('lkfllme 1p)\(\WIIII' roqulr~.d fot lhc U.St f1i"DotJ _VAS wets
f9ruon·I)QD pUtpQ5c&, far DSCA training itad -.:scn:!Jm, or for NO UAS tmhllfli and ex.:rcbc$
t11At ptovlde_lncldentil!iUJlV<ld: to ciYil nti!hruitit5. This fn.tludes I)(ID UAS opctatfd b)' fo~ ln
'rltlo 10 !<taNS andN•tlQnBI Owudpcoonnelln Titli!JlorSioto Activo Duty SUIWJ,

 fi'~It ~fi'f'IeiAL

HSE! EJtibY

Managernent Comments

l'ollc)' MmmrcmJum JJ./10J

State Officials who wish to propOse the use of DoD UAS In support t1fmajor S:taW

di~~cr tc$fHJ.h!i-l.'·~lrii:Nhcl!' (or u·olnlng requiting u~\'I\I hy tho Sce~etary ofUrfens~) sbNll"
fu~tor l!lthc rrm:ed~M1 an_d dma required ~i> con~ult with the FAA f~r ~~" tu til~ neecmty

nlnp11;:# f!nd to tJbtttln S~«elllf)' "r Uc:kun~ IIJlPfO\'ol. Stotcsln whlt:h DoD UAS a1:itts uo
fleWcd lhatha\'c •~V~tUircmtnl fer their uso in these t."te«:bf:s (or trnJnlng n:qutrtng 11ppr0vn.l by
the S«IttoryofOeren~) \l.i_ll $tlbtnlt the Uovcrnor'f Rq~t ln wOtlng at tcu 30dayr; in
adu.nce to the Sa:r&l'}' ofDch•me through nppn1pria.1~ MilitAry OcromncnfiS~·In",
(\J~IIbt!tllnt lOmmaod. or NOll chal!nds vW. tht Joint Sta.fT(J~;J), and f!1a)' shbJUil such u:qut<sti
ell heron a C~JR-b)'-<Jse blJsb or l11 bJWft (.:rmM! for tx:tl005 w;~t hi c"«'td one ( l) cal~ndar )'tllf
tn ad~4ncc ot"thc rror-oscd cxercbc ct lfllinlng.

Jn ordct ltJ C<lnduct dom1:1thi f;IJ'Ctlillort1, cxttclS¢,., and lrolning, DoD I,JA.S opettttk111\
wlll likely not «:Q~lfinc:d li' ~gn:gatcd oif')~C¢; lhf;"rtfore, wutine access to tho;! natlt"ml
nlo.p.1~ wutllkel}' bll' ~qulrtd lb.- Ucpartm~·nl mus\ continue fl;) mak~ J"IOJ:!fCS-'0 in tdlandng
tCtulatory polity and guldllllCi: MI)(K;iat<'d \\ith UAS .'>~rllthmt11J th~ NAS, M well as In
11gg~55ivcly (levt:loplog dded•und•&W'+id tcchnotog:.· to ori!IUJ'(I Mf~fol"(:fiJtlon ofUAS in

m

on~c:gragat'ed alri:poc~

The ChAir or the ~D ~\'~lie)' lJo;ud on F_edmt Avb.tia11 0'8FAl wllllc.ld the
Depmmcnt's effotU II> advi,'Uto for Ute c_tlmln4t10!1 ofunnf(t1Uty I'C'guiR!OI)' l'C$trictlon$ that
prevent rauiloo \\I:<C" to lhe NAS for DoD UAS. The PBFA Chair will "'ork tbrough tho multi·
ng~:nlf)' \lAS ext:eutlve Commltii'!C to pursut'- resulH!tlQ' chan~ rm1V"tomm~nentfo and
tkv'dflP reasmmbtc •tandards ufnt~y~ addle" lbbilfty end toko into aWluntlM ex«ltknt
SAfety 1'\!Qard oftbe ~rtment'11 global UAS operation.~.

lJoD will C(lntlnuc to 1-'t<>mow the develapment or tcCtmo1uglc9,_!trutdAn.11:!!~ opcraUus
vrocWu!Ut and poll~l'" that ensure ~t UQO U~8 ~ll.'l ilhto to npcratcs~tfc1y wllhln the ntJtonal
ain~ while MillO bftlanclttg and rrotcding ptrJOI'!I'It prlvi!Cly,

fhhcr QtmlgnMod l\sl3pomlhll!!le!j
Untl.!r Se~.·r.tary of Dt.{fmll/or P~llay
The r;ndu :i~Riaty uf Ocfe-pse fur Polit)' 1U~D(P)) b IIU11wri~cd co ~:«abllsb tho
approrrime fiOllty for domes1ie U$C crUAS for force prot~~lon lnd protcclll'in ofolhcr DoD
8$$&, whether In_ DoD lnstroction 2000,16, "D<lll An!iterrorlsm &'tondmb." o_r Olhcr

oJ)I'Il'tlfll'lntc; oon inllftn.c.i:.

A.ul#llntlt'etTctary'fJ/ I'Hfemefor Ho11drnd lMfmtl! andG/()Iml .';rcptlly

'Chll A81l(llll&OS),'under the RUI!mrity, direction, and control of the Ul'ID(.,), is the
ptinolpjll Qivtllsn advl_soJr to tbc Mc9RlatyofDnfcMo forlhodomestto usc ofDo_D UAS. The
ASD(IlO-&OS) will COnd1JCt a comprcbenl!lvo tovltWf oflhb pu11<:y every duec )UtS and seck
approval of appn:~prlo.l:c nwlsKm.,. 1f Nqlll.n'd. All policy_ d<:vcli)J'mcnt wllllx: CQOnUM;lcd 'Yftb

FEJR EJFFIElJitb SSE! EJHbY

 F8R 8FF!Ellt'tb ij!3J3 8PnsY

lho. (bUnmn of tho JCill'lt Ch!~h (lfSWl", the IJoD Gttl~rnl Cnllr.J'Cil. the: All!I"Urtnt SemiAI')' IJf
lk(en!e for ~al 0(Jl::rnliotH. Gnd l t!'W•IM~o1Hil~ fl•hl)k!, R.tid the heads ofoth<r oWtortilltt
DoUotg~llfl-Atlonr..

,bdJfff711 trJ tiM Sttuiaryo) !><frJ1W/flf Publif ..fjf(liJ J

llus t\»htantto the S~CfOl&fy \)I'Dcranc (9f Publk Affalu (ATSOlPAl) b rnpt);'ltiblc
for I.!CM.ll'dlrw!ing publK: affah-t lnqulrll!t wllb tho Milllruy 0\"p!!rtml"ms.lStl\'iru. Johlt Start~
Cnmt'mtantfomrnnndt.. Natlllllal_ <iuard Dvr"u, State dcpaiUnonU. end aacncics, and oth~r
ftd«ll] dcprutmcniJ r.nd agc:ncl~t~ as MJUired 1"1w ATSO(i'A) It lh: Iced DoD cftltllll for

fdshlilhlngtmhlic atroln culdan'e on dom~1k usc ufDoD UAS. Additlona!l), to protl'l(ltc
tran~parcnc;y, UteATSD(PA) will wor\ wilh the PBFA and the AS:D(HO&<iS) w d~:vctor a
wcbpoge cut lining t>oD U'AS dome.ttle oprrallon\

This guhhMt replace• and M'lnd$ th~ Ot,'JIIIIY ~r.:le1111}' 11rDeftnsc:
Men10rJlldttm, "fntc1m Ol.lldftnce for lhe Domt'$11C IJ~ot nf llnrnrmm"d Aircraft Sy~tem~.''

""''"'""21,2006:

~

•

fi6R 8Pf'le!Ab HSB 8Hb¥

Hepnrl No. JH)OH.i-tOt:i·Wr/ j l(,

 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONIN

Appendixes

Appendixes
(U) DoD Offices Visited
•

(U) Under Secretary of Defense for Policy representatives from Homeland
Defense & America's Security Affairs.

•

(U) Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence representatives from
Warflghter Support.

•

(U) Assistantto the Secretary of Defense for Intelligence
Oversight representatives.

•

(U) USNORTHCOM Directors from the Operations, Plans, Intelligence, and
Judge Advocate General Directorates.

•

(U) National Geospatial Agency (NGA) representatives.

•

(U) National Security Agency (NSA) representatives.

•

(U) Headquarters National Guard Bureau Policy, Operations, and
Intelligence Directors.

•

(U) Headquarters u.s. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force
Policy, Operations, and Intelligence Directors.

•

(U) U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force Commands
responsible for Service UAS employment policies, tactics, techniques,
and procedures.

•

(U) U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force Commands
responsible for Service PED policies, tactics, techniques, and procedures.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

 FOR OFFJC!Ab l:JSE ONI:N

Appondixos

(U) Unit's Visited and Location
1st Air Force

Tyndall AFB, Florida

Second Marine Aircraft Wing (2d MAW)

MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina

480th ISR Wing (ISRW)

langley AFB, Virginia

27th Intelligence Squadron (2715)

langley AFB, Virginia

California National Guard JFHQ

Sacramento, California

Air National Guard 181st Intelligence Wing

Terre Haute, Indiana

Air National Guard 174 Attack Wing

Syracuse, New York

Army 15th Military Intelligence Battalion

Fort Hood, Texas

1St CAV - Grey Eagles

Fort Hood, Texas

9'' Reconnaissance Wing

Beale AFB, California

491' Fighter Wing
JTF- North
2-13'h Aviation Regiment

Holloman AFB, New Mexico

Commander Naval Air Forces

NAS Coronado, California

U.S. NORTHCOM

Colorado Springs, Colorado

NAVAIR
VMU-2

Patuxent River NAS, Marvland
MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina

Ft Bliss, Texas
Ft Huachuca, Arizona

(U) Use of Computer-Processed Data
(U) We did not use computer-processed data to perform this evaluation.

(U) Prior Coverage
(U) No prior coverage has been conducted on DoD's domestic use ofUAS for civil
authorities during the last 5 years.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

/\cronyrns and f\tlhreviations

(U) Acronyms and Abbreviations
COCOM

Combatant Command

DCGS

Distributed Common Ground System

DIWG

Domestic Imagery Working Group

DoD

DSCA
ISR

Department of Defense
Defense Support to Civil Authorities
Intelligence, surveillance, and Reconnaissance

NGA

National Geospatlal Agency

NGB

National Guard Bureau

OSD

Office of the Secretary of Defense

PED

Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination

PUM

Proper Use Memorandum

RPA

Remotely Piloted Aircraft

SECDEF

UAS
USNORTHCOM

Secretary of Defense
Unmanned Aircraft System
United Stales Northern Command

FOR OFFIC!t.L USE ONI:N

 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Wbistleblower Protection
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
11111 Whlsl/eb/owel' Protection linlwncement Act of 2012 reqrtires
the lnspecwr Gencml to designate a Whistleblower Protection
.Omb.11(/sman to educate ogmn:J' cmplt~Yees about pi'Ohibitlons
on re/(1/iatlon, ami ri,ghts and remedies against reta/lution j'or
protccll!cl c/isdo.~rw~:s. 1/w designated m1ibudsman is t/111 Do/) 1/ot/ine
Direc/01: For more itlj(mnol/011 on your ri,qhts and J'l!medies against
rewllat(lm, visit wwll'.clod/g.nJII/t't'Of)l'iltns/wl!istlciJ/ower.

For mote information about l>oD IG
report~ or activities, plea~e contact us:
Congressloiial Liaison
congressionill@dodlg.mil; 703.604.8324
Media Conta~t
public.affahs@dodis.mil; 703.604o8324

Monthly Up1late
!lodlgconnect-request@listserve.wm

ReJ!Orts MaHlngList
dodig_report@listserve.com
Twitter
twitter.com/DoD_IG

DoD Hotline
dodlg.mil/hotline

FOROFPICIAL USE ONLY

 

a worm