US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA2052

UNCLAS BOGOTA 002052 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/LP AND WHA/AND 
 
E.O 12358: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, MOPS, MASS, CO 
SUBJECT: COMBINED COLOMBIAN POLICE AND ARMY AVIATION 
OPERATIONS 
 
Ref: Bogota 0956 
 
1. (SBU) Summary: Colombian Army (COLAR) helicopters 
recently supported a Colombian National Police (CNP) 
airmobile assault on cocaine hydrochlide (HCL) processing 
laboratories.  The eight-day operation was notable not only 
for its operational results - three laboratories were 
destroyed and nearly two metric tons of cocaine HCL seized - 
but also for the cooperation between the COLAR and the CNP. 
Employing combined assets improved effectiveness.  End 
summary. 
 
2.  (SBU) Following a spike in hostile ground fire directed 
at aerial eradication aircraft in CY2003 (Reftel), a number 
of countermeasures were undertaken to improve security.  In 
addition to increased use of intelligence, ground troops 
conducted active screening operations in advance of aerial 
operations in areas of higher risk.  The effect was a nearly 
fifty percent reduction in ground fire impacts in CY2004 
compared to CY2003. 
 
3.  (SBU) Aerial spray operations in Narino Department have 
always been difficult and meteorological conditions limit 
the number of days when spray is possible.  This major coca- 
producing area is highly contested between AUC and FARC 
elements.  The CNP Antinarcotics Police (DIRAN) had 
insufficient available assets to conduct effective 
operations. 
 
4. (SBU) In response to our request, COLMIL Commander 
General Ospina directed that COLAR's Plan Colombia 
Helicopter assets support the DIRAN operation.  A Joint Task 
Force was established: the COLAR provided three UH-60 
Blackhawks and four UH-II gunships, and one UH-60 Blackhawk, 
three UH1-N gunships, and one C-26 intelligence/command-and- 
control platform was provided by the CNP.  The CNP also 
provided 80 DIRAN Special Forces (Junglas) troops. 
 
5. (SBU) The eight-day operation was successful: three 
cocaine HCl laboratories were destroyed and nearly two 
metric tons of processed cocaine HCl were seized, along with 
equipment and precursors.  This was the first time that CNP 
personnel were transported by COLAR aircraft to conduct an 
airmobile assault.  Despite several minor operational and 
communications disconnects, the training and tactical 
doctrines of the COLAR and CNP proved to be sufficiently 
compatible.  After Action Reviews, which involved candid 
critiques and appraisals, were conducted in a spirit of 
cooperation. 
 
6. (SBU) Comment: The COLMIL has been slow to embrace the 
concept of combined operations.  We are hopeful that this 
positive experience will result in greater acceptance of the 
concept in the future.  End comment. 
 
WOOD