Index

Between World War II and the Korean War
ASA Begins

Next

In 1945 the Army Signal Security Agency (SSA) is reorganized as the Army Security Agency (ASA) Arlington Hall, Virginia, given the status of a field operating activity under the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2. Under General W. Preston Corderman, the first chief of ASA, ASA establishes a worldwide chain of field stations and maintains a large theater headquarters in the Far East and Europe. ASA is a separate specialized entity within the rest of the Army, with complete control over personnel, training, research, development, and procurement as well as over operations. During World War II, the SSA had directed only a part of the Army SIGINT effort. Theater and Army commanders retained control over their own tactical SIGINT efforts. ASA is designed to exercise control over ALL U.S. SIGINT and COMSEC operations. Unfortunately, under ASA tactical intelligence is neglected. It will take about two years after the outbreak of the Korean War for it to approach the level it had during World War II.

In 1946, another Army-wide reorganization dissolved the independent MIS and reestablishes the Military Intelligence Division as an operating agency under a Director of Intelligence. The title of the head of the Army's intelligence staff was changed to Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, in 1950 and to Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (ACSI) in 1956. The 1956 redesignation was a step backward for Army intelligence,since the other General Staff heads were advanced to the Deputy Chief of Staff level. Meanwhile, the electronic warfare and ELINT mission had been assigned to the Army Security Agency; as a consequence, the Army Security Agency had been resubordinated from the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, to the Chief of Staff of the Army.

In 1947, as a result of Allied intelligence cooperation from World War II, the acceptance of the UKUSA Agreement, also known as the UK-USA Security Agreement or the 'Secret Treaty' occurred. The primary aspect of the agreement was the division of SIGINT collection responsibilities among the First Party (the United States) and the Second Parties (Australia, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand).

Also in 1947, the U.S. establishes a separate Air Force with it's own intelligence organization, the U.S. Air Force Security Service (USAFSS). The Army Air Force transfers the 1st, 2nd and 8th Radio Squadrons (Mobile) and the 136th Radio Communications Security Detachment from the ASA to USAFSS on 1 February 1949.

On May 20, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson established the Armed Forces Security Agency (AFSA) (forerunner of NSA), placing it under the command of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In theory, the AFSA directed the communications and electronic intelligence activities of the military services signals intelligence units (the Army Security Agency, the Naval Security Group and the Air Force Security Service). In practice, the AFSA had little power, its functions being defined in terms of activities not performed by the service units. This would change when on October 24, 1952 President Harry S. Truman abolishes the AFSA, transferring its personnel to the newly created National Security Agency. As its name indicates, the new agency was to have national, not just military, responsibilities. NSA absorbs a good portion of ASA's personnel and functions and control for NSA falls directly under DOD. In 1971, the NSA became the National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS). The second part of NSA's title (which is rarely used) refers to its role in coordinating the signals intelligence activities of the military services. Placed within the Department of Defense, NSA assumed the responsibilities of the former Armed Forces Security Agency as well as the signals intelligence responsibilities of the CIA and other military elements.

In 1950, one year after the Armed Forces Security Agency is formed, and coinciding with the outbreak of the Koran War, several ASA Field Stations are established. Originally these sites received 4-digit unit designators and were known as Administrative Area Units (AAUs). Between 1954 and 1957 some were converted to DUs. In the mid-60s they were redesignated as USASA Field Stations. This redesignation coincides with the establishment of several new Field Stations in 1966-1967.

INDEX NEXT