Centcom News Feed - Mar 24

SECURITY FORCES COOPERATE ALONG AFGHAN-PAKISTAN BORDER
As part of their ongoing effort to enhance communication and cooperation, Afghan and Pakistani border security forces at Torkham Gate met on February 28th with the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Special Troops Battalion commander. The purpose of the meeting was to address security and communication issues, and the upcoming opening of the Khyber Border Coordination Center. The primary goal of the groups is prevent insurgent operations in the border area.

Preventing insurgent operations requires constant communication between the Afghan and Pakistan border forces, said Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Milhorn, the battalion commander. He said he hopes to improve the chances of catching insurgents by supplying the Afghan and Pakistani border police with radio equipment so they can speak directly with each other. The recent improvements at Torkham Gate, such as installing an X-ray machine to scan incoming cargo trucks and people who regularly cross the border into nationwide databases, are just some of the processes that have been put in place to more efficiently regulate border operations.

Pakistan Army Col. Qaiser Alam stressed the importance of the Afghan and Pakistani border police pooling their resources with the U.S. military to combat a common enemy. "A terrorist is a terrorist," Qaiser said. "He has no nationality, no religion, no color." The meeting moved to the roof of the border checkpoint on the Pakistan side to take in a full view of the bustling Afghan border station across the bridge, and plans were discussed about future changes. Qaiser said he hopes for newer facilities on his side of the border, alleviating some of the burden from the Afghan side.

No paperless communication exists among the Afghan, Pakistani and U.S. forces, and although they're only a few hundred feet apart, the checkpoints work independently of each other. Improving the forces' cooperation ultimately will benefit both sides, officials said. "Estimates by experts indicate that (Torkham Gate) has the potential to generate $350 million in revenue each year - money that could be put back into government projects," said Army Maj. Scott Sonsalla, Special Troops Battalion's executive officer. "Our goal is to improve the country through prosperity and security. Closing the border to illegal traffic does both."

NAVAL FORCES HALT ILLEGAL SHIPPING
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) operations in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden, have succeeded in disrupting the transit of contraband, narcotics and alcohol in recent weeks. As part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, Canadian multi-purpose frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339), guided-missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) and USS Carney (DDG 64), Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll (F 231), and French frigate FS Guepratte (F 714) have all worked together in partnership with regional nations to halt criminal activities. Several seizures of narcotics and alcohol with a street value of over $30 million resulted from these coordinated multinational maritime operations. "Coalition efforts build a lawful maritime order for regional security," said Deputy Combined Maritime Forces Royal Navy Commodore Keith Winstanley. "When we work as a Coalition with regional partners, we are able to complement regional countries efforts and really make a difference."

The most recent interception of contraband occurred on March 12th in the Gulf of Aden by Charlottetown, who stopped illegal smuggling activities conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO). Charlottetown boarded a dhow and discovered approximately 1.7 tons of hashish worth several million dollars. The drugs were disposed of at sea and the vessel was held until local authorities arrived. In February, CMF ships performed several at-sea rescues of mariners in distress.
But since the attacks of September 11th, the CMF have focused their efforts to disrupt terrorist activities by targeting criminal activities. Coalition ships assigned to CTF 150 operate throughout the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Task Force 150 is commanded by French Navy Rear Adm. Jean L. Kerignard.