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TOPIC: Pre-Mission Coordination

DISCUSSION: A host-nation military officer, DEA agents, Army intelligence analysts, pilots, and logistics planners met the afternoon before a strike to discuss a variety of topics. They discussed such topics as the type of target, the threat and force ratios necessary, number of aircraft required, and the logistical requirements to support the operation. When all questions were satisfactorily answered, attendees began the necessary coordination with their respective areas to ensure the next day's success. With very few exceptions, this process was repeated seven days a week throughout the operation.

LESSON(S): Pre-mission coordination is necessary to ensure that missions are successful. Additionally, meetings between the representatives of the many agencies involved in the operation ensure that the representatives understand what each is responsible for and how each fits into the overall scope of the operation.

TOPIC: Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB)

DISCUSSION: Thorough target acquisition and analysis were key to successful operations. The IPB process proved to be very useful in this regard. Analysts identified such features as geographical areas used to cultivate coca plants and transportation networks capable of supporting drug producers' needs. They also developed a template of drug lab characteristics. Data from confidential informants, visual and photographic observation, and other sources were then gathered. The analysts methodically compared the data with their templates to more effectively discriminate between likely targets and to legitimate activities.

LESSON(S): IPB and other sources of intelligence, when used properly, ensure proper use of resources.

TOPIC: Signal Support

DISCUSSION: The challenge of providing reliable signal support to the task force was difficult because of the task force's distance form home station. Terrain features, weather, equipment limitations, different types of equipment, and personnel capabilities are all factors which must be considered. Because of these factors, it is important that an experienced signal planner be included in the site survey team.

LESSON(S): The signal planner should be responsible for planning signal systems, the type of equipment used, personnel needed to operate it, and for briefing the commander on signal capabilities and limitations.

TOPIC: Physical Fitness

DISCUSSION: Field operations in the region were physically demanding. Soldiering in the field remains a very physical business. Under the rapidly fluctuating weather and diverse geographical extremes, soldiers found that daily, tough physical conditioning was needed. The support group soldiers performed all their tasks in a commendable manner throughout the exercise. A significant contributing factor was their high standard of physical conditioning. Studies also show that soldiers who are physically fit tend to acclimate quicker than those who are not.

LESSON(S): Soldiers must be physically fit to perform duties in a field environment to the best of their abilities. Studies show that a physically fit soldier is better prepared to handle the stress involved in a life-threatening situation.

TOPIC: Counterdrug Operations Aviation Support Planning Factors

DISCUSSION: The operational radius for UH-60 helicopters was established at 100 nautical miles from a fuel point. This radius was established to provide a safety margin for flights over rugged country that, in some areas, was devoid of emergency landing sites. This policy was an important consideration from a logistics planning perspective. It frequently drove the need to establish remote refueling capability as part of operations. This was usually done by bringing Forward Area Refueling Equipment (FARE) on board an accompanying helicopter or having FARE rendezvous with the aircraft. US Army personnel are prohibited from riding in Bolivian aircraft. Because of the unknown maintenance standards associated with these aircraft, this precaution was implemented to safeguard soldiers. This policy had important consequences to logistics planners because it precluded fuel handlers from accompanying their FARE when it was carried aboard Bolivian planes. In such cases, the fuel handlers rode DEA or Army aircraft to and from the remote refueling site.

LESSON(S): Planning factors for counterdrug operations may be different than those used in conventional military operations. Planners must be aware of all guidance, to ensure that the proper planning factors are used.

TOPIC: Container Labeling

DISCUSSION: CONEX labeling was a logistic security vulnerability. Packing lists were labeled as sensitive or classified and secured to the exterior of the CONEX. Numerous containers displayed placard markings which indicated the contents were either sensitive or classified, thereby making them easily identifiable as targets for criminals, enemy intelligence operatives or saboteurs conducting covert activities in the rear area.

LESSON(S): When preparing for a deployment to support a counterdrug operation, be careful marking CONEXs so that sensitive items do not compromise the mission.

TOPIC: Definition of Mission Success

DISCUSSION: One measure of the success of a raid was the quantity of cocaine production supplies that were captured. By this measure the raid on one target was particularly successful, having captured over 500 50-gallon barrels of ether, 2,000 empty 55-gallon drums, and hundreds of 1-milliliter bottle of acid. This same success, however, led to the challenge of the disposal of these supplies. There were too many to be evacuated by air; they could not be left (they had a value of $3.5 to $4 million), and other means of transportation were impractical. Finally, a plan was developed and coordinated with the host nation to destroy the supplies with explosives. Some 2,000 pounds of class V had to be brought in through the site's dirt airstrip, set up, and detonated by EOD personnel.

LESSON(S): Mission success can be defined in many different ways. Be sure not to become involved in a "body-count" attitude. Mission success is keeping the drugs from reaching the streets.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: National Guard Bureau After-Action Reports Lessons Learned

Chapter 3: Serious Incident Preparation