Last modified Wed., July 22, 2009 - 04:46 PM
Originally created Thursday, July 23, 2009

'Red Lancers' help stop illegal drug flow

By Lt. j.g. Jon Moore, VP-10 PAO

"Red Lancers" Combat Aircrew 10 (from left) AWFC Jennifer Williams, AWO2 Adelina Reynosoacosta, Lt. j.g. Josh Silva, Lt. j.g. Ross Barone, Lt. Greg Stoddard, Lt. Greg Seigert, Lt. Susan Mendenhall, AWO2 Richard Dixon and AWO2 Brandon Douchette.

Allied naval forces with the aid of VP-10 aircrew seized and destroyed roughly 10 tons of narcotics in international waters dubbed the "Hash Highway." The narcotics, mostly hashish, were estimated to be worth $70 million. This constitutes the largest seizure of drugs this year.

"The seizure of these drugs takes money out of the hands of those financing terrorists in the region," said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of Combined Maritime Forces. "The smugglers need to know that coalition forces are patrolling the seas and skies above.

These efforts send a message to all would-be smugglers that we are here and we won't tolerate drug trafficking in international waters."

On July 7, Combat Aircrew Ten (CAC-10), flying the P-3C Orion, was conducting routine maritime surveillance in the Gulf of Aden when they identified a large dhow (a traditional Arab sailing vessel with lateen sails) sailing 150 miles southeast of Salalah, Oman.

The "Red Lancers" relayed the contact to a nearby British warship. Later, crew members from the warship boarded the dhow, discovered and destroyed the narcotics "that further enable their drug trafficking," said Lt. Nathan Christensen, a spokesman for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet. The dhow and crew were then released.

"Disruption and destruction of the drugs was deemed more important than holding the folks accountable," added Christensen.

"It's exciting to be a part of something that's making a difference," said Lt. Susan Mendenhall, CAC-10 mission commander. "This is a great reward for the maintainers and the operators - to see something tangible for all their hard work."

Hashish (more commonly called hash) is a potent form of cannabis produced by collecting and processing the most potent material that female marijuana plants naturally generate as part of their growth cycle. Hashish is an illegal substance in the United States and many other counties.