Government

U.S. Disguises Spy Planes in ‘Shadow War’ Against Terrorists in Africa

Creek Sand: U.S. Special Operations Forces Surveillance Program in Africa

Planes such as the Pilatus PC-12 are being used to scout out terrorists in Africa. (Photo: Wikimedia)

What may look like private planes flying over Africa could really be surveillance aircraft equipped with video recorders, infrared sensors, and radio and cellphone signal detection devices. The Washington Post explains these spy planes are part of the U.S. military’s “secret intelligence operations” in the country set to track terrorists.

The Post calls this a “shadow war against al-Qaeda affiliates and other militant groups“ with the code name ”Creek Sand.” The brains of the operation is run by U.S. Special Operations but much of the brawn, the Post reports, comes from private military contractors and troops in Africa.

The details of the spy flights, as they’re being called, are pieced together by the Post, which notes military command saying it cannot comment directly on the operations. Here are some of the details reported by the Post:

Because of its strategic location on the Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonnier is a hub for spy flights in the region. It is about 500 miles from southern Somalia, an area largely controlled by the al-Shabab militia. Lemonnier is even closer — less than 100 miles — to Yemen, where another al-Qaeda franchise has expanded its influence and plotted attacks against the United States.

Elsewhere in Africa, the U.S. military is relying on private contractors to provide and operate PC-12 spy planes in the search for Kony, the fugitive leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, a group known for mutilating victims, committing mass rape and enslaving children as soldiers.

Ham, the Africa Command chief, said in his testimony to Congress in March that he was seeking to establish a base for surveillance flights in Nzara, South Sudan. Although that would bolster the hunt for Kony, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, it would also enable the U.S. military to keep an eye on the worsening conflict between Sudan and South Sudan. The two countries fought a civil war for more than two decades and are on the verge of war again, in part over potentially rich oil deposits valued by foreign investors.

Other aviation projects are in the offing. An engineering battalion of Navy Seabees has been assigned to complete a $10 million runway upgrade this summer at the Manda Bay Naval Base, a Kenyan military installation on the Indian Ocean. An Africa Command spokeswoman said the runway extension is necessary so American C-130 troop transport flights can land at night and during bad weather.

About 120 U.S. military personnel and contractors are stationed at Manda Bay, which Navy SEALs and other commandos have used as a base from which to conduct raids against Somali pirates and al-Shabab fighters.

About 6,000 miles to the west, the Pentagon is spending $8.1 million to upgrade a forward operating base and airstrip in Mauritania, on the western edge of the Sahara. The base is near the border with strife-torn Mali.

The Defense Department also set aside $22.6 million in July to buy a Pilatus PC-6 aircraft and another turboprop plane so U.S.-trained Mauritanian security forces can conduct rudimentary surveillance operations, according to documents submitted to Congress.

Creek Sand: U.S. Special Operations Forces Surveillance Program in Africa

(Graphic: Craig Whitlock and Laris Karklis/Washington Post)

Also interesting is the fact that the military is not using one of its more popular surveillance methods as of late: drones. The Post reports unarmed, single-engine Pilatus PC-12s comprise most of the fleet.

The home base for most of the operations comes from Ouagadougou, and Defense Minister of Burkina Faso Yero Boly called the U.S. operations in 2009 “extremely discrete.” The Post interviewed Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso Djibril Bassole about the operations. Here’s what he had to say:

“We need to fight and protect our borders,” he said. “Once they infiltrate your country, it’s very, very difficult to get them out.”

Bassole declined, however, to answer questions about the activities of U.S. Special Operations forces in his country.

“I cannot provide details, but it has been very, very helpful,” he said. “This cooperation should be very, very discreet. We should not show to al-Qaeda that we are now working with the Americans.”

There are a couple things the Post notes this operation in Africa reveals about the Special Ops overall:

  1. Special Operations forces are working all over the world, “not just in war zones.”
  2. “Special Operations forces are blurring the lines that govern the secret world of intelligence, moving aggressively into spheres once reserved for the CIA.”

Read more details in the Washington Post’s report here.

Comments (43)

  • inferno
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:01pm

    Those in power are not being very subtle with drone flights over citizens over the USA. Heaven forbid we offend our enemies, while we use BIG Brother tactics at home.

    Report Post »  
  • edndsu
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:42pm

    Quit telling us this sh**t! We don’t need to know military secrets WaPo, NY Times!

    Report Post »  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:13pm

    Thanks WaPo and Blaze and whoever else –

    The home base for most of the operations comes from Ouagadougou, and Defense Minister of Burkina Faso Yero Boly called the U.S. operations in 2009 “extremely discrete.” The Post interviewed Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso Djibril Bassole about the operations.

    You just burned these men and their families. Congrats for blood on your hands!

    Report Post » Elena2010  
  • Iamnotanumber
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:36pm

    OMG! Shut the hell up and get rid of the pix!!! You and the WaPo!! New news or old news, doesn’t matter, keep this stuff away from the public!! Quit putting our folks in danger!!! Stop it!!!

    Report Post »  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:10pm

      No kidding!

      Now al Qaeda will shoot down any plane it sees assuming that the plane is US spy plane.

      Idiots for releasing it!

      Report Post » Elena2010  
  • Mapache
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:08pm

    The Washington Post is a shadow of what it was…..it now has to revert to revealing things which are best not revealed and expect to benefit from all the protections that the country affords them. Try doing what the Post does here in another country.

    Report Post » Mapache  
    • Obama Snake Oil Co
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:48pm

      And the outcry for stories like this leaking out of the Whitehouse then, again, here we go again! They need to find the leaker and shoot em for treason.

      Report Post » Obama Snake Oil Co  
  • YtownSports
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:56am

    Thank you, Washington Post for compromising another covert operation. Does the word “treason” come to mind? Freedom of the press comes with responsibility. Instead of going after Arizona for its immigration law or Florida for trying to exocise ineligible voters, the Justice Department should be jumping all over the the Washington Post.

    Report Post » YtownSports  
  • ODB1111
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:52am

    “Ditto. And how about the poor owner of the pictured aircraft which is most likely not involved in Africa flights as it has United States registration. What idiot would fly an American registered aircraft for American spy missions in Africa?”

    It was last registered to :The Sierra Nevada Corporation“ and has since been ”de-registered” it could very easily be operating over there….

    Report Post »  
  • wewantchillywilly
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:52am

    they‘ve been doing this since the 80’s. nothing new.

    but it’s just a shame all this manpower and money is going to an entire continent that will never, ever stop being violent.

    Report Post »  
  • piper60
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:36am

    Of course, this is the forerunner of what they’ll be doing in America. Guilty until proven innocent.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:56am

    http://www.weathermodification.com/cloud-seeding.php

    http://www.just-clouds.com/

    AC/DC- Thunderstruck- Official Music Video!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsmXLGKdkW4&feature=related

    Impeach Obama 2012! Join The National Campaign! Alex Jones, Infowars
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwWshBVL23w

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:54am

    And they have the nerve to go after wiki leaks…………

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:42am

    How many private planes will get shot at because this information is out there now? Can anyone in this country keep a military secret anymore? If we had this climate of loose talk in WWII, Hitler would have had the entire Wehrmacht sitting in Normandy waiting for us on D-Day.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • GrumpyCat
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:37am

      Ditto. And how about the poor owner of the pictured aircraft which is most likely not involved in Africa flights as it has United States registration. What idiot would fly an American registered aircraft for American spy missions in Africa?

      The Blaze could have blurred the aircraft’s registration number in respect for the innocent owner. Unless The Blaze is claiming *this* is an actual spy plane and not just a representative of the type being used.

      Report Post »  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:41am

    I agree with the other posts before me. This sounds like more “leaked” info. which ultimately hurt our operations. That said, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this was happening here in the U.S. as well. I could see Obama doing this since most of us don’t want drones in our own country (except maybe on the border).

    There is entirely too much “leaking” going on for it to be accidental. I’m convinced that Obama wants to hurt our country. If he flat-out tells our enemies our secrets he can be charged with treason. However, all he has to do is tell our enemies “Pay attention to the media. You will find out everything there.” The media is more than happy to help.

    Report Post » Tigress1  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:16am

      This IS an official LEAK from the WH-staff just to make him look macho for the re-election, and to make USA into a security-laughing-stock totherest of our“friends”. Typical Porgressive Tactic!

      Report Post »  
  • Vickie Dhaene
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:26am

    We need to DEMAND: IMPEACHMENT, IMPRISONMENT, and EXECUTION to be carried out immediately upon conviction.

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:36am

      Agreed; The problem has always been that an organized opposition will take Hostages for Trade and inspire a Civil War!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:40am

      long trip to gitmo would be very satisfying to me with a side of rendition. what is the obama admins obsession with outing seal covert missions? why is it he is willing to put so many lives at risk at what gain? many commentators say for the sake of reelection. I disagree and am reminded of a portion of his book saying he will always stand with the muslims. these nice heads up he keeps giving them is sure helpful isnt it.

      Report Post »  
    • theblazerunner
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:37am

      they will go after your children to get to you…
      remember the exercises in denver…parents picked kids up at stadium…?

      Report Post » theblazerunner  
  • barber2
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:23am

    So this was in The Washington Post ? Not the New York Times ? That is a surprise. Wonder who leaked this little bit of secret info . Or was it , like the NYT claimed about Stuxnet , just the result of ” hours of in-depth reporting ” ….. wink…wink…. ( plus a few of in-depth leaking from the media obsessed Obama administration ! )

    Report Post »  
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:22am

    General Wesley Clark: Wars Were Planned – Seven Countries In Five Years
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RC1Mepk_Sw&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL525AB943F0BA0C84

    Wesley Clark ( US 4 Star General ) US will attack 7 countries in 5 years. – YouTube.flv
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMJON4y_jac&feature=autoplay&list=PL525AB943F0BA0C84&playnext=2

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
  • LovingAmerica
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:18am

    This is Obama’s Saul Alinsky tactic of doubling down. This is what he does. He is being accused of the treasonous act of divulging American National Security Secrets to our enemies so now he is doing more of it just to thumb his nose at us. This is a criminal act – an act of treason. Revealing our secrets to the world, to our enemies, has to STOP. Where are our Congressmen? Where is our military? Who is going to stop Obama from harming America?

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:29am

      agree. This is the “ nudge” to see just how far they can push their assault on our constitution..just like Holder keeps “ holding out ” the info while , at the same time, saying that he isn’t. These guys are living examples of how you can manipulate the system when people are either too intimidated or too weak to stop your manipulation. AND, these guys know the law : how to use it and how to carefully abuse it. Leaking , smearing and intimidating : Three tools of the Obama administration.

      Report Post »  
    • LovingAmerica
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:29am

      Barber2…. I agree with you. But, they are not getting away with it because they are so cleaver. They are getting away with it because our leaders in Congress are wimps and cowards – all talk and no action. (although Rep. Issa is putting on a good show with his faux outrage) So far, Congress and our military are unwilling to stand up and do what is necessary to protect America. No wonder Nancy Pelosi mocked and laughed at Speaker Boehner and said, “I’ll be back.”

      Report Post »  
  • 14ESCHATOLOGY
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:18am

    Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso Djibril Bassole about the operations. Here’s what he had to say:

    “We need to fight and protect our borders,” he said. “Once they infiltrate your country, it’s very, very difficult to get them out.”

    LOL – Finally found a country that believes that the US has superior knowledge about border portection!!

    Report Post »  
  • lel2007
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:17am

    Disguising spy planes as ordinary airplanes – what a clever idea. When I watch for spy planes I look for the big red “SPY PLANE” letters on the tail and wings. I‘m pleased to say there’s no spy planes in my neighborhood.

    Report Post » lel2007  
    • Inlandmar2
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:24am

      You are looking for the wrong thing in your neighborhood. You have to look for drone with the bid red letters reading SPY DRONE.

      Report Post » Inlandmar2  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:37am

      you made me laugh with the spy plane red letters. whomever is leaking this info putting many LIVES at risk needs to be in gitmo. no cushy american prison they need to be tried like the treasonous pig they are. I have relatives over seas and this info puts actual flesh and blood lives at risk not to mention ruining our missions. I can only dream justice will be served this is disgusting once again and treasonous.

      Report Post »  
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:15am

    Female Soldiers from around the world
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCmppOwVPFg

    Spending Off the Hook: Free Phones Costing Taxpayers $2.1 Billion Per Year
    http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/06/13/Spending-Off-the-Hook-Free-Phones-Costing-Taxpayers-2-1-Billion-Per-Year

    it is time to feed the tree of liberty…pardon and pacify.
    leave them to rot.

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
  • wbedding
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:09am

    well there you go. Barry’s “administration” outing yet another secret and allowing these terrorists to target these planes. #fail

    Report Post » wbedding  
  • yanki161
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:04am

    So this is a SECRET operation????????

    Report Post » yanki161  
  • Rdy4WAR
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:00am

    Is this more leaked intelligence???? Let’s just give away all our secrets. This administration has to go! And when they do… we need to prosecuted them all and lock them up forever.

    Report Post » Rdy4WAR  
    • rawmilker
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:14am

      Of course it is leaked intel, he wants to look like a badass toughguy and is doing favors for his fellow countrymen in africa….

      Report Post » rawmilker  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:15am

      Agree. What ever happened to the concept of secrecy and treason ? Seems to have gone the way of taking pride in America, defending capitalism, putting money down to buy a home, and paying one’s bills .

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:57am

    More reasons shown to impeach Obama on high treason; more illegal wars he is dragging us into.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  

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