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Tracking Terror in the Arabian Gulf

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030304-18
Release Date: 3/4/2003 10:22:00 AM

By Journalist Chief (SW) Douglas H Stutz, U.S. Joint Task Force, Southwest Asia Public Affairs

PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, Saudi Arabia (NNS) -- The last time Intelligence Specialist 1st Class (SW) Isadore Bernard Sims II ventured to the Arabian Peninsula, his deployment ended abruptly Oct. 12, 2000, at the Yemen port city of Aden.

As a crew member of guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67), Sims was one of 39 injured when Cole was hit by an explosive-laden suicide boat. The terrorist attack claimed the lives of 17 of his shipmates.

On loan to Central Command Air Force, Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB), Saudi Arabia, from Naval Information Warfare Activity (Office of Naval Intelligence) Washington, Sims again finds himself on the Arabian Peninsula. This time around, he vows the scenario he experienced on Cole won't happen again.

"None of us on the Cole really knew that type of danger was looming out there for us," said Sims, a native of Mobile, Ala. "I don't wish what happened to us on any other. Having to console a family member or friend on losing a loved one had to be the most painful feeling to experience. I don't want anyone else to have to go through that."

Sims is now focusing on issues in the Iraqi theater of operations, mostly contributing to the mission of the Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Division. His capacity is concentrating on areas Iraq may target, specifically the northern littoral sector of the Gulf.

As an intelligence specialist, Sims is responsible for analyzing raw data, such as photographs and images, and then preparing charts, maps and reports that describe in detail strategic situations.

"Being the only naval enlisted on the collections team," Sims said, "I bring a valuable skill to the table, and that is my knowledge of naval assets and capabilities, as well as Navy leadership abilities as a 1st class petty officer."

Although the possibility of war is on the minds of servicemembers on the Arabian Peninsula, there are still current commitments to meet, such as the daily support of Operation Southern Watch (OSW).

One of the time-consuming tasks Sims' world of Intel is involved in is separating fact from fiction, for both OSW and a pending war. There are countless rumors, gossip and innuendos surrounding the preparation for a possible war against Iraq, combating terrorism and activities involving Operation Southern Watch.

"The Intel world thrives on rumint, or rumor intelligence. It is up to me to seek out the truth," stated Sims. "That's what being a professional is about. I welcome the rumors."

Sims is filling a position which has been in place since OSW missions began approximately 12 years ago. If war does indeed break out, lessons learned during the past dozen years will be applied. "Everyone of us that are assigned to PSAB are solid links between the present and the accumulated knowledge of the past," explained Sims. "Even though we are still concentrating on issues concerning OSW that have built up during the past 12 years, we realize there is room to adapt and change to the ongoing shifting operational climate."

The OSW mission is to plan and, if directed, conduct an air campaign against Iraqi targets as a means of compelling Iraq to comply with United Nations (UN) resolutions. To that end, OSW members must enforce the "No-Fly" Zone south of 33 degrees north in Iraq, to enforce a "No-Drive" Zone south of 32 degrees north and to be prepared to conduct operations in support of Naval Central Command's maritime interception operations. Since the start of OSW, coalition forces have repeatedly been called upon to enforce the UN resolutions.

Sims' time at PSAB has given him the chance to get back into the deployment cycle, as well as being able to practice his chosen rate in a real world, real time environment. Still, PSAB is a long way from the nearest body of water.

"The conditions here are better during a deployment," Sims said. "But the level of camaraderie cannot be matched what we have on ship. There is nothing like being able to go into a port visit and have fun with my shipmates. But I would definitely recommend to any IS to pull a tour here. This position gives you a real world, real time joint-operation atmosphere that you probably would not experience at any other command."

As on any typical deployment, the shifts are long and the days are longer, but Sims is in his element. "The most gratifying part of being here," Sims said, "is when the work day is over, I walk away knowing that I have done something during the long hours to be productive. I know that I have contributed to our team effort."