AIR BRIDGE DENIAL: SEPTEMBER 2009 PROGRAM UPDATE

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003256 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INL/LP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO SUBJECT: AIR BRIDGE DENIAL: SEPTEMBER 2009 PROGRAM UPDATE REF: 2003 STATE 265910 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. This is the monthly Air Bridge Denial (ABD) activity report for September 2009, as required by Reftel. The Government of Colombia (GOC) sorted 1,703 tracks during September. There were three Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS) for the month. END SUMMARY. -------------- Tracks -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In September 2009, there were 1,703 air tracks over Colombia with three declared Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS). Host nation responded to two of the UAS, with the third departing Colombian airspace in the Caribbean Sea before a response could be made. ¶3. (SBU) On September 21, 2009, a flight plan was filed from Medellin, Antioquia Department, to Vigia del Fuerte, Antioquia. The crew diverted from its flight planned route, declared an emergency, and landed at Quibdo airport, in the Choco Department. The Colombian Air Force notified the Colombian National Police unit at the airport. The Police inspected the aircraft and found the pilot was using false name and identification and the aircraft did not have the necessary certifications for flight in Colombia. The aircraft was impounded. No illegal substances were found. ¶4. (SBU) On September 24, 2009, an aircraft departing Barranquilla turned off its position reporting equipment and departed Colombian airspace. Information was passed to Panamanian authorities, that inspected the aircraft upon landing at Albrook airport in Panama. The inspection resulted in positive indications of drugs. The pilot was arrested and the aircraft impounded. -------------- Maritime Missions -------------- ¶5. (SBU) On September 6, 2009, the SR-26 located a vessel in the Pacific Ocean carrying unidentified cargo. The crew coordinated with the Colombian Navy, which intercepted the vessel, impounding 80 55-gallon drums of gasoline and the vessel. ¶6. (SBU) On September 7, 2009, The SR-26 coordinated with the U.S. Navy and the Colombian Navy to locate a self propelled semi submersible (SPSS) at coordinates N0209 W 7937. The crew scuttled the SPSS when they observed the approaching vessels. The SPSS sank with its cargo before the cargo could be identified. The four crewmembers were arrested. -------------- Flight Operations -------------- ¶7. (SBU) In September 2009, the Citations flew 191 hours in 86 sorties with an 88% OR rate. Of the 86 sorties, 59 were for GOC ABD intelligence gathering and patrolling; five for training; eight were for maritime patrolling, and 14 for operational support. The SR-26 aircraft 5741 flew 74 hours in 35 sorties. Thirty four SR-26 sorties were in support of ABD, of which 25 were maritime missions. One SR-26 sortie was for non-ABD purposes. -------------- Nationalization -------------- ¶8. (SBU) All SR-560 On The Job training was completed before the September 30, 2009 deadline. Additional training will be accomplished for the new avionics system being installed in the aircraft and in two SR-560 aircraft undergoing Depot-Level maintenance. NICHOLS NICHOLS