National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), formerly the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), and before that the Defense Mapping Agency, is considered to be a part of the Intelligence Community (IC). NGIA's mission is to provide "timely, relevant, and accurate Geospatial Intelligence in support of national security." NGIA provides "Geospatial Intelligence in all its forms, and from whatever source--imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial data and information--to ensure the knowledge foundation for planning, decision, and action.... [provides] easy access to Geospatial Intelligence databases for all stakeholders.... [and creates] tailored, customer-specific Geospatial Intelligence, analytic services, and solutions."

History of NGA
"On Nov. 24, 2003, President George W. Bush signed the 2004 Defense Authorization Bill, a provision of which included authorizing NIMA to change its name to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Our new name is the latest step in a transformation process underway since our inception on Oct. 1, 1996."

NIMA / NGA Commission
"Late in the fall of 1999, Congress requested the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) and the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) to form a Commission to review the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA); the previous name of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency."

Leadership

 * James R. Clapper, Jr., Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret.), Director
 * H. Gregory Smith, Chief Scientist

Contact details
Web: http://www.nima.mil/portal/site/nga01/index.jsp?front_door=true

SourceWatch Resources

 * Bush administration: return to space
 * Directed Energy Weapons
 * Intelligence Community
 * Joint Vision 2010
 * NASA
 * Radio Frequency Identification
 * weaponization of space