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.