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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings & Torture |
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June 18th,
2009 - International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs’ Office of
Aviation |
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The International Narcotics
and Law Enforcement Affairs’ Office of Aviation (INL/A) From Defense Update June 18, 2009 The U.S. State Department
through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’
Office of Aviation (INL/A) is responsible for the curtailment of the supply
of illegal drugs from foreign sources into the United States through aerial
eradication of drug crops, interdiction of refining laboratories and
trafficking activities, and other enforcement operations as directed by the
Secretary of State. The Bureau’s “air wing” operates 348 fixed wing and
rotary wing aircraft, involved in INL counter-narcotics aviation programs in
Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Operations are
conducted with close cooperation with host nations U.S. Embassy Narcotics
Affairs Sections and the Host Government police and military organizations,
conducting training and support local operational activities. INL’s Air Wing has recently
established an aviation support element in Guatemala, operating four Huey-II
helicopters. The helicopters are staffed by Guatemalan Air Force aviators and
technical personnel and supported by INL Air Wing technical advisors. The
mission of the Aviation Support Project (ASP) is to provide dedicated air
support for law enforcement operations, including “take-downs” on suspected
trafficker aircraft, raids on transshipment points or clandestine runways,
serving warrants, supporting ground interdiction operations, and providing
support to ground eradication operations. The ASP recently completed its
first two-week deployment to the Peten in support of JIATF-South’s Operation
Central Skies II. During this operation, the ASP is on standby to fly a team
that provides the end game for intercepted drug planes after they land. INL’s fleet consists of 348
including OV-10, AT-802, T-65, and C-27 fixed wing aircraft and Hueys,
Blackhawk and K-Max helicopters. About half of the fleet is operating from
Colombia and the rest is in Bolivia, Peru, Pakistan and Afghanistan. While
INL ir Wing controls air assets used for eradication, interdiction and
security, actual operations and support are provided by DynCorp
International, as a contractor for the U.S. government. One of the largest operators
in this shadow war is the Colombian Air Force’s Air Bridge Denial (ABD)
Program using ground and aerial detection assets, including aircraft and
radar, to surveil and monitor Colombian air space. ABD seeks to determine
whether certain, suspicious aircraft could be primarily engaged in illicit
drug trafficking. ABD intercepts the suspicious aircraft and contributes to
the capture and destruction of aircraft found to be used in narcotics
trafficking. External link: http://www.defense-update.com/newscast/0609/news/inla_180609.html |