CIA director Gen. Michael Hayden says that Air Force intelligence personnel fall into the categories of those who create intelligence and those who apply intelligence. Responding to questions during a Tuesday seminar in Washington, D.C., Hayden said the last 10 years or so have seen a lot of emphasis on the application of intelligence, not the creation of it. He recalled that USAF used to be the world leader in signal intelligence, and “what you’re seeing now is Dave [USAF intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance boss Lt. Gen. David Deptula] trying to reinforce … the creation of intelligence.” He added, “That’s what this whole UAV Predator question is about … that Air Force role is re-affirmed and re-established and strengthened.” Hayden was referring to the current controversy over USAF’s push to become executive agent for higher flying unmanned aerial vehicles.
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
