Pubdate: Mon, 23 Feb 2009
Source: Lookout (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 The Lookout
Contact:  http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1178

AIR FORCE: DEFEATING DRUG TRAFFICKING

Aurora Assists In Offshore Drug Bust

A Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft based 
at 19 Wing Comox, B.C. has returned from a successful mission in the 
Pacific Ocean where it participated in a drug bust off the coast of 
South America in January.

As part of Canadian Forces' Operation Caribbe, the Aurora assisted in 
the identification of a lowprofile or Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible 
(SPSS) vessel operating in international waters. Such vessels are one 
of the latest methods used in the region to illegally smuggle 
narcotics. This vessel was carrying seven metric tonnes of cocaine 
worth an estimated $242 million. SPSS vessels can transport several 
tons of cocaine and other illicit cargo to ranges in excess of 2,000 
nautical miles.

"Naval and air force crews operating in counter-narcotics missions 
use many of the same surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting 
skills that they would employ on an actual combat mission," said 
Rear-Admiral Tyrone Pile, Commander of Joint Task Force (Pacific). 
"In addition to the excellent training value, this mission reflects 
Canada's strategic interest in the region and provides an opportunity 
to demonstrate our capabilities alongside our allies."

Under the U.S.-led Joint Interagency Task Force South, Canada has 
worked alongside partner nations France, the United Kingdom, the 
Netherlands, Spain, and the United States in multinational drug 
surveillance and interdiction operations in the Caribbean Basin and 
Eastern Pacific since November 2006.

Canada Command, the Canadian Forces organization responsible for all 
routine and contingency Canadian Forces operations in Canada and 
continental North America, contributes Canadian naval warships and 
the CP-140 Aurora longrange patrol aircraft to JIATF-S, offering 
powerful surveillance capabilities that help law enforcement 
authorities locate, track, and intercept illegal activities off North 
America's coasts.

Participation in Operation Caribbe also supports development and 
refinement of "maritime domain awareness" capabilities, thus 
contributing to Canada's ability to meet the security challenges of 
the world's longest coastline and ensure Canada's maritime security.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart