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• 1981-1995

1981-1995

COLD WAR COMMUNICATIONS:

TRANSITION TO DISA

1981-1985

DCA continued to grow with the addition of several missions between 1981 and 1985. The most significant missions were the transfer of the Theater Mission Planning System from the Navy Joint Cruise Missile Project Office to DCA; the development and management of the Defense Data Network and the Defense Switched Network; the transfer of the National Emergency Airborne Command Post ADP software responsibilities from the Air Force; and the assignment of responsibility for the development of the Super High Frequency SHF Satellite Universal Modems. Also at this time, the CHOSUN Project was assigned to DCA along with special programs for WHCA. Both provided additional funding and personnel. DCA again became a "manpower carrier" for an outside activity by providing administrative support to the Defense Mobilization System Planning Activity.

1986-1990

During the late 1980s and the early 1990s, DCA's top management team developed the overarching strategy and philosophy for moving DCA into the 21st century — Vision 21 — and adopted Total Quality Management as the process to achieve this vision. In January 1987, the Secretary of Defense approved the consolidation of DCA and the Joint Tactical Command, Control, and Communications Agency to enhance the interoperability of command, control, and communications (C3). The decision was based on lessons learned, highlighting the need for integrated and interoperable C3 from the combat forces to the National Command Authorities. In 1989, DCA established the Joint Interoperability Test Center (JITC) at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. The Test Center provided the facility for DoD and private sector interoperability compliance testing and certification. During this time period, the Air Force transferred responsibility for the WWMCCS to DCA.

In October of 1989, the Deputy Secretary of Defense established a DoD Corporate Information Management (CIM) Initiative to identify and implement management efficiencies in DoD information systems. DCA was given responsibility for implementing the CIM initiative and DCA's mission was expanded to include information support to the JCS and OSD, tactical information system standards and interoperability, and White House information systems. In 1990, DCA was tasked to lead the DoD command, control, communications and intelligence (C3I) support on the national anti-narcotics operation.

In 1990 and 1991 during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, DCA provided information systems support to DoD and non-DoD activities. For its significant contributions, DCADISA was awarded a Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

1991-1995

Defense Communications Agency to Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)

A view of a server in the Center for Computing Services, DISA photo by John Kandrac

On June 25, 1991, DCA underwent a major reorganization and was renamed the Defense Information Management Systems Agency (DISA) to reflect its expanded role in implementing the DoD's CIM (Corporate Information Management) initiative, and to clearly identify DISA as a combat support agency. DISA established the Center for Information Management to provide technical and program execution assistance to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (C3I) and technical products and services to DoD and military components.

DISA's role in DoD information management continued to expand with implementation, in September 1992, of several Defense Management Report Decisions (DMRD), most notably DMRD 918. DMRD 918 created the Defense Information Infrastructure (DII), and directed DISA to manage and consolidate the Services' and DoD's information processing centers into 15 megacenters.

The DII provided a full spectrum of decision support systems, Defense-wide databases, and a variety of standard applications. At the same time DII was implemented, the concept for the Defense Information System Network (DISN) was created. The DISN consolidated 122 DoD networks, offering more efficient support to the warfighter. In 1997, the Joint Spectrum Center and the Defense Technical Information Center also became part of DISA.