National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)

An agency associated with the Department of Defense, The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is also a member of the National Intelligence Community (IC).) NGA collects information and prepares useful geospatial answers to problems submitted by clients in both the civilian and military sectors.NGA utilizes remote sensing imagery and mapping resources to compile the data requested. The images and data are acquired and used for specific purposes for these clients such as peacekeeping efforts and natural disaster safety or rescue planning. The NGA now has a new website site GEOINT Onlinefor information sharing and interactive geospatial activities. Originally known as NIMA (National Imagery and Mapping Agency), NGA offers a variety of maps, services and digital products.The NGA facilities will eventually be consolidated at a new facility to be constructed at the Fort Belvoir, VA proving grounds. The cost of the new center, as of March 2009, is expected to be $2.4 billion. The center's campus is 2.4 million square feet and is scheduled for completion on September 11,2011.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency came about because of the actions took by the President of the United States of America, President William Jefferson Clinton, to try and seek a solution to the problems between the warring factions of Bosnia. In 1995 he invited the leaders of these factions to a conference at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio to try and come to terms of peace with each other. At this conference members of the Defense Mapping Agency and U.S. Army Topographic Engineer Center assembled together to help digitally map the disputed areas in the Balkans in real time to help end the conflicts. This team used automated cartography, computer-assisted map tailoring, spatial statistical analysis, and they consistently created real time maps of the boundries that were negotiated thirty minutes prior to their creation. This allowed many of the leaders to have precise, accurate, and real visual models to what they wanted to get accomplished. This team helped bring about the Dayton Peace Accords which allowed temporary peace in the region. As a result of this the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) was formed. At first the organization was just a right to have people come together share information. But after many successful projects and the success that was found in the Eurasian Branch in 2000 thousand seven the organizations grew and developed. In 2003 the NIMA became the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

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Authors	Laurie H.,Ben H.
Editors
BoK Topics	OI6-1
311 Weeks	1
Tags	organization, government