Military conference promotes partnerships, communication among western nations

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Licea | Navy Rear Adm. Thomas L. Brown II, the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command South, briefs police and military representatives from 16 nations from across the Western Hemisphere gathered here to discuss topics, such as illicit trafficking and terrorism during this year’s Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program Conference, which was held Sept. 20-24 in Miami. The theme of the conference, which was hosted by SOCSOUTH, headquartered at nearby Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., was “Information Sharing: Synchronizing cooperative regional solutions to combat illicit transnational activities.”  

MIAMI, FL, UNITED STATES

09.29.2010

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Alejandro Licea 

Special Operations Command South

Military representatives assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command South and 16 nations from across the Western Hemisphere gathered here to discuss topics, such as illicit trafficking and terrorism, as well as share experiences and strengthen relationships during this year’s Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program Conference Sept. 20 to 24.

The theme of the conference, which was hosted by SOCSOUTH, headquartered at nearby Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., was “Information Sharing: Synchronizing cooperative regional solutions to combat illicit transnational activities.”

Navy Rear Adm. Thomas L. Brown II, the commander of SOCSOUTH and the U.S. Special Operations Forces that work in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, hailed the gathering of service members, academia, and diplomats. The attendees of this year’s conference represented a diverse mixture of cultures, religions and ethnic backgrounds.

“This conference will provide us a space for sharing ideas and perspectives we face from terrorist, drug trafficking organizations and other dangerous transnational threats,” said Rear Adm. Brown. “I think the relationship and ideas shared here will serve us well in confronting common problems like illicit trafficking.

As the subordinate component for Special Operations under U.S. Southern Command, SOCSOUTH works in an area that includes 31 nations, 25 languages and 10 major religions among its 404 million people. The area includes nations from the Caribbean, Central and South America.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. P.K. Ken Keen, the deputy commander of U.S. Southern Command, took time to observe the conference and collaborate with international counterparts on topics concerning operations and the challenges facing the region. Keen has been a notable U.S. military official throughout the hemisphere following the leadership he displayed in the wake of the Haitian earthquake as the commander of Joint Task Force-Haiti.

During the four-day meeting, a number of issues were discussed in a series of panels. Every panel consisted of two or three subject matter experts from a variety of nations like Belize, Barbados, Bahamas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Suriname, and the United States in a number of topics including illicit trafficking, gang violence, terrorism, theater security cooperation and border security.

Many in attendance saw the CTFP as a forum for regional exchanges to express different points of view and establish working relationships with their counterparts in order to counter illicit trafficking in the present and immediate future.

Patrice Israel, a police commissioner and officer in charge of Haiti’s narcotics unit, stated that cooperation between countries across the world is vital in order to ensure the best methods are employed to fight drug trafficking.

"Combating drugs is not a national problem, it is an international one," he said. "Any nation in the world can’t do it on their own, the drug smugglers and the gangs are working like a network. As countries we need to work together in order to fight against these criminal activities."

Although the CTFP’s purpose is to discuss several serious topics affecting the Western Hemisphere, the seminar also had its lighter moments as CTFP participants had the chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of Miami. These cultural events help bond the group of police and military leaders beyond just their common goal of combating illicit trafficking.

"This has been a great experience where we are learning how different countries deal with problems like narco-trafficking," said El Salvadorian Col. Walter Arevalo, the commander of the nation’s Special Forces. "It is very important to exchange information and this conference allows each country to talk about how they implement their plans against illicit trafficking. This is a very interesting and informative conference."

The four-day symposium explores topics, such as information sharing and methods of enhancing interoperability were also explored. In addition, a representative from each participating nation discussed the current state of their country’s security.

Colombian Col. Oscar Lopez, who works as a liaison officer at U.S. Southern Command, said communication between partner nations in the region is the key to success in the fight against drugs.

"The importance of information sharing and breaking the barriers of communications and cultures among us is very important in order for us to meet our common goals,” he said.

Many see the nation of Colombia as a model against illicit trafficking and terrorism given their success against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC.

While attending the conference, the Colombian delegation received news that Colombian Forces confirmed the killing of the FARC’s No. 2 commander Jorge Briceno, also known as Mono Jojoy, during a military raid against the main leftist rebel group in the morning hours of September 23 in Colombia’s eastern plains. Many in attendance congratulated them on their military’s success.

Although stories of success against illicit trafficking and terrorism throughout the region continue to occur on a daily basis, Rear Adm. Brown stressed the importance of cohesion to those in attendance in order to win this long battle.

“The problems we face are a difficult challenge,” said Rear Adm. Brown. “Working together is the only way to face these challenges.”

• Date Taken: 09.29.2010
• Date Posted: 09.29.2010 20:45
• Story ID: 57211
• Location: MIAMI, FL, US