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This year marks major anniversaries for some of the most significant intelligence agencies that utilize and advance the concept of GEOINT. Last week, we highlighted how the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) marked its 50th anniversary. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) recently celebrated its 15th anniversary and yesterday the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) made note of its 50-year legacy. Congratulations to all of these agencies for achieving these major milestones, advancing the mission and keeping our nation safe.

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There must be something in the air. Or is it the water? Over the past couple of weeks there have been some pretty sensational stories about the Intelligence Community. First, we had the Russian spies, then the Washington Post’s expose on the IC (well timed, right before Clapper’s confirmation hearing – but we digress), and stories about the lack of GAO oversight for the community. And, CBS News recently ran a story about how top secret spy work is done in neighborhoods around the Washington DC area. One of the areas highlighted, in addition to Fort Meade, is the Dulles-Chantilly region.

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Welcome to the ever-famous, ever-popular Friday’s Food for Thought post on got geoint? We live in a world populated with people who have the most amazing — and some say mind blowing — talents. And, many scientists believe that all humans will eventually evolve into having these traits. How does this impact us and our community? Think about it. These talents could be used by the Intelligence Community to help further protect our nation. For example, there is a woman whose sense of sight and sound are blended and she actually sees colors as a result. Wouldn’t a person with these talents be an asset to the NSA? Pretty cool, huh? Read more below.

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Welcome once again to the Friday’s Food for Thought post. We hope everyone had a productive work week and are gearing up for a relaxing weekend. And, we are deep into vacation season. So, if you are taking some well-needed time off, we hope you enjoy it! Today’s post is about “Knowledge is Power.” What does that mean? How does that tie into what we do? Think about it. The core of geospatial intelligence is about getting the right information (whether from imagery and mapping) and getting it into the hands of the right people where it is actionable intelligence. In addition, on a broader scale, through out the ages those who held the most knowledge and information, also wielded all the power. Sounds interesting? Scroll down to learn more.

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Welcome once again to the Wednesday GEOINT 2008 video post. First, we have to ask…is everyone getting excited for GEOINT 2009? 102 days to go and we are counting down every day. Literally, USGIF is counting down the days with the GEOINT 2009 count down clock on the new symposium site. Once again, let’s look back at GEOINT 2008 with another dynamic presentation from the intelligence community leader. Today’s keynote address is from Maj. Gen. John DeFreitas, Director of the National Security Agency’s Signals Intelligence Directorate.

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Welcome to the Monday Morning News Kick Off post. Yes, it is still raining and it seems like it will continue for a while now. So, what better way to get our minds of the weather than to focus on the breaking news stories that impact what we do? For today’s post, we cover a number of different items that will surely motivate and enlighten. From Obama urging for international support of protests in Iran to a Justice Department attorney using The Daily Show as an example for not being transparent, we got it all. Grab that extra cup of coffee. Scroll down and be prepared for a productive and prosperous work week.

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Yesterday, the NY Times broke a story about how the National Security Agency (NSA) has been intercepting private e-mail messages and phone calls of Americans in recent months — on a scale that went beyond legal limits set by Congress. Several intelligence officials and lawyers briefed on the matter said that the NSA had been engaging in “overcollection.” Within a matter of hours after this story broke, the Justice Department issued a statement saying that it has basically taken care of the problem.

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We never fall short of coming across news regarding the intelligence community that is relevant to our readers. As such, we wanted to provide the following primer on recent important news. From contradictions on progress on the information sharing front to negative commentary on NSA taking over the cyberwarfare front, we have have it all here for you. As always, please share with us your thoughts and comments.

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Happy Friday to all. Welcome to our weekly “Friday’s Food for Thought” post. This week we cover a number of items including the move to bring cybersecurity under the NSA’s wing to a clip of the short lived 1995 remake of “Get Smart.” Does anyone remember this version of the show? We certainly don’t, but posted a video clip of it for your viewing pleasure. Oh, and be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post. We have another video clip that you will not want to miss.

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While this story is UK-based, the lead architect of the UK’s government’s national security strategy warned citizens that that more “intrusive methods of surveillance” are needed to tackle the threat posed by modern terrorists. Sir David Omond raised this point in a paper by the Institute for Public Policy. What is most interesting is the candor in actually admitting that citizens’ privacy will be compromised.

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