VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #3256/01 2890000
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 152358Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0362
INFO RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHEHOND/DIR ONDCP WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/DIRJIATF SOUTH
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUWDQAC/US INTERDICTION COORD WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003256 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/LP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO
SUBJECT: AIR BRIDGE DENIAL: SEPTEMBER 2009 PROGRAM UPDATE 
 
REF: 2003 STATE 265910 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY.  This is the monthly Air Bridge Denial (ABD) 
activity report for September 2009, as required by Reftel.  The 
Government of Colombia (GOC) sorted 1,703 tracks during September. 
There were three Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS) for the month.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
 
 
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Tracks 
 
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¶2. (SBU) In September 2009, there were 1,703 air tracks over 
Colombia with three declared Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS).  Host 
nation responded to two of the UAS, with the third departing 
Colombian airspace in the Caribbean Sea before a response could be 
made. 
 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) On September 21, 2009, a flight plan was filed from 
Medellin, Antioquia Department, to Vigia del Fuerte, Antioquia. 
The crew diverted from its flight planned route, declared an 
emergency, and landed at Quibdo airport, in the Choco Department. 
The Colombian Air Force notified the Colombian National Police unit 
at the airport.  The Police inspected the aircraft and found the 
pilot was using false name and identification and the aircraft did 
not have the necessary certifications for flight in Colombia.  The 
aircraft was impounded.  No illegal substances were found. 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) On September 24, 2009, an aircraft departing Barranquilla 
turned off its position reporting equipment and departed Colombian 
airspace.  Information was passed to Panamanian authorities, that 
inspected the aircraft upon landing at Albrook airport in Panama. 
The inspection resulted in positive indications of drugs.  The 
pilot was arrested and the aircraft impounded. 
 
 
 
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Maritime Missions 
 
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¶5. (SBU) On September 6, 2009, the SR-26 located a vessel in the 
Pacific Ocean carrying unidentified cargo.  The crew coordinated 
with the Colombian Navy, which intercepted the vessel, impounding 
80 55-gallon drums of gasoline and the vessel. 
 
 
 
¶6. (SBU) On September 7, 2009, The SR-26 coordinated with the U.S. 
Navy and the Colombian Navy to locate a self propelled semi 
submersible (SPSS) at coordinates N0209 W 7937.  The crew scuttled 
the SPSS when they observed the approaching vessels. The SPSS sank 
with its cargo before the cargo could be identified.  The four 
crewmembers were arrested. 
 
 
 
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Flight Operations 
 
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¶7. (SBU) In September 2009, the Citations flew 191 hours in 86 
sorties with an 88% OR rate.  Of the 86 sorties, 59 were for GOC 
ABD intelligence gathering and patrolling; five for training; eight 
were for maritime patrolling, and 14 for operational support.  The 
SR-26 aircraft 5741 flew 74 hours in 35 sorties.  Thirty four SR-26 
sorties were in support of ABD, of which 25 were maritime missions. 
One SR-26 sortie was for non-ABD purposes. 
 
 
 
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Nationalization 
 
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¶8. (SBU) All SR-560 On The Job training was completed before the 
September 30, 2009 deadline. Additional training will be 
accomplished for the new avionics system being installed in the 
aircraft and in two SR-560 aircraft undergoing Depot-Level 
maintenance. 
 
 
 
NICHOLS 
NICHOLS