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All Staff Newsletter
Volum e 1 I s s u e 5
Septe m b e r 2 0 1 2
T
he Republic of Maldives, an island nation comprised of a chain of
26 atolls with 1192 islands, is one of the world’s most geographically
dispersed countries. The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has
the daunting task of policing its 200 inhabited islands from only 50
substations. In recent years, Maldives has experienced a rise in criminal
activity from gangs selling heroin from Asia as well as the smuggling of
alcohol in contravention of Muslim law. In addition to the rise in
criminal activity, the MNDF also has to contend with violence by
radicalized individuals who return to Malé after having studied in
Pakistan. An unfortunate example of this was when a Maldivian terrorist
with ties to Pakistan bombed an area called Sultan Park in downtown
Malé killing twelve foreign tourists on September 29, 2007.
Though Maldives is home to less than 400,000 local inhabitants, it
receives almost twice its population in visitors annually. With tourism
as the source for 90% of the countries tax revenue, Maldives does not
require visitors to obtain a visa prior to arriving, regardless of their
country of origin. This internationally friendly stance toward visitors is
not without a price. Maldives has a very active Military, Coast Guard,
Marine Corps and Special Forces to protect the Nation against a myriad
of challenges from drug trafficking to arms proliferation.
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This Issue
JIATF West in Maldives p.1
Maritime Training in Maldives p.3
Joint Military Training in Maldives p.6
DEA Liaison Dan Moore’s Farewell p.8
FS1 Donahue’s Promotion to Chief p.9
Army Stryker Vehicles Tour p.10
Shown above are Maldivian National
Defense Force Special Forces and Coast
Guard members embarking on a Visit
Board Search and Seizure training with a
U.S. military instructor in Maldives. Photo
JIATF West, 24 May 2012
JIATF West E-Newsletter Sep 2012
P. 1
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J
IATF West helps supports Maldives Law
Enforcement and Military efforts by sponsoring
joint training initiatives designed to improve the
Nation’s capability to counter drug related crimes by
transnational criminal organizations.
Recently JIATF West organized
several joint training events in
Maldives for 2012. The first event
took place this past April with
training by the FBI to the Maldivian
Police Department (MPD) followed
by two joint counter drug training
events with the Maldivian National
Defense Force (MNDF) in May and
July.
In April, team trainers from the
Law Enforcement Communications
Unit (LECU) and the FBI Honolulu
Field Division provided Interview
and Techniques Training to
approximately 40 members of the
MPD in the capital city of Malé.
Joint U.S. and Maldivian law
enforcement training such as the
Interview Techniques course supports regional
stability by enhancing the MPD’s counter drug
capabilities.
Above right, a member of a U.S. Army Guard oversees room clearing training with MNDF Special Forces. Below, members
of the MNDF practice at a range during joint military training in the Maldives. Photo JIATF West, 23 June 2012
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JIATF West E-Newsletter Sep 2012
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Maritime Training in Maldives
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I
n May, MNDF Special Forces and Coast Guard
participated in a joint military training the with U.S.
Navy. JIATF West’s Captain Jason LaNore (U.S. Army)
a Training Liaison Officer from the Operations
Directorate, helped coordinate the event.
The goal of the training was to provide counter drug
training to MNDF personnel who conduct maritime
high risk drug interdictions. JIATF West organized the
training in coordination with the Office of Defense
Cooperation’s “Counter Terrorism Capacity Building
Program” which is part of the U.S. Sri Lanka – Maldives
Embassy located in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s
largest city.
During the training event, 12 U.S. military instructors
trained with 40 members of the Maldivian National
Defense Force for four weeks from 6-31 May. Training
topics included small boat handling, tactical combat
casualty care (TCCC), marksmanship training, visit
board search and seizure (VBSS), room clearing,
mission planning, and sensitive site
exploitation (SSE). Participants practiced on
how to react to various trafficking
scenarios including drug, weapons,
human trafficking, and piracy.
In attendance at the closing
ceremony were U.S. Ambassador
to Sri Lanka and Maldives, The
Honorable Mrs. Patricia A.
Butenis as the guest of honor
and Maldives’ Minister of
Defense and National Security,
Hon. Mohamed Nazim as the
guest speaker.
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JIATF West E-Newsletter Sep 2012
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Maritime Training in Maldives
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Above, a U.S. military instructor stands on the beach observing Maldives National Defense Force Marines and Coast
Guard members as they practice sensitive site exploitation during a JIATF West organized joint training event at one of
Maldives 1192 islands. Below, pre-event planning. -photos JIATF West, May 2012
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Training with the MNDF in Maldives
MNDF Special Forces practice with U.S. Navy instructors at a shooting range in Maldives. -Photo JIATF West, 24 May 2012. Middle, MNDF
Band performs at the closing ceremony. Bottom Left, Hon. Nazim presents a plaque of appreciation to CPT LaNore, right, Hon. Mrs. Patricia A.
Butenis speaks regarding future U.S. and MNDF training events. -Photos by MNDF, 30 May 2012.
According to a press release from the MNDF,
Ambassador Butenis spoke about the need to find
solutions to piracy, human trafficking, terrorism,
and drug smuggling in the region. She also spoke
of additional training events in the future that
would involve Maldives Police, Customs, and
Immigration and Emigration officials. The Minister
of Defense, Hon. Nazim, spoke about the challenges
of combating crime from anonymous looselyaffiliated perpetrators typical of the Indian Ocean
region.
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Training with the MNDF in Maldives
An Instructor from the U.S. Army discusses small arms safety at a shooting range in Maldives. Below middle, MNDF members participate in a
Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) class. Below right, MNDF Special Forces participate in a culmination exercise
during joint military training on the island of Girifushi. (Photos U.S. Army, June 2012)
T
raining events with military and law
enforcement members took place over four
weeks from 18 June to 11 July on Girifushi Island,
Maldives. The objective was to build host nation
capacity with military and law enforcement
members in counter drug operations, interdiction
capabilities, and to support counter terrorism
objectives.
The training was made up of three separate training
evolutions.
The first part, “Counter Narco
Terrorism” was for MNDF Marines and was led by
U.S. Army Instructors.
Military training included Tactical Combat Casualty
Care, Marksmanship Training, Communications,
Close Quarter Combatives, and Mission Planning.
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Training with the MNDF in Maldives
Colorful buildings stand out against the afternoon skyline in Maldive’s capital city of Malé where NCIS and JIATF West
held courses during the training evolution. Photos JIATF West, 5 July 12
The second training event was a Law
Enforcement course taught by two Naval
Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Special
Agents from Singapore. Law Enforcement
members from the MNDF, MPD, and Customs and
Immigration.
The third training event was Basic Analyst Notebook
software training in the capital city of Malé. The course
was taught by civilian members from JIATF West, Ms.
Akemi Randle and Mr. Sesh Munipalli.
Coordination and support was provided by Captain
Jason LaNore, U.S. Army, one of JIATF West’s
Forward Liaison Officers. This training event was also
financially sponsored by JIATF West and approved
by the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
training by NCIS comprised of
Interviewing techniques, Crime Scene
Management, Search Techniques, Finger
Printing, and Evidence Management.
NCIS trained 40 personnel in a class with
Above, an NCIS instructor at Crime Scene Management
class in the city of Malé. Right, graduating class
from Analyst Notebook. Photos JIATF West, 5 July 12 UNCLASSIFIED
JIATF West E-Newsletter Sep 2012
P. 7
Dan Moore’s Farewell
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Left, parting DEA liaison, Dan Moore holds a plastic statue of a folklore narcotics bandit presented to him as a parting
gift by Chris Isham, right. Originally purchased by Chris as a prop for a criminal science class that he teaches, Chris
presented the gag gift to Dan as a reminder for his work at JIATF West. -Photo JIATF West, 29 August 2012.
A
farewell dinner was held on August 29th at the
Sunset Lanai in honor of Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) Supervisory Special Agent
(SSA) Dan Moore’s over three
years of service as the JIATF
West DEA Liaison Officer. In
attendance were Dan Moore’s
family and RDML Rendon and
his wife, Felicitas.
Prior to the dinner, Chris Isham,
Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans
and Policy, presented Dan with
a plastic statue of “Jesús
Malverde”, a folklore hero in the
Mexican state of Sinaloa who is often celebrated by
those involved in drug trafficking as the Angel of the
Poor, the Generous Bandit, and as The Narco Saint.
SSA Dan Moore began his career with the DEA in
1986. He previously served as Group Supervisor of
the DEA Denver Division’s Mobile Enforcement
Team (MET), and later served at
DEA headquarters as a Staff
Coordinator assigned to the
Caribbean and South America
Section. He also served as the
DEA Country Attaché in Tokyo
and has worked in Philadelphia,
Honolulu, and Yangon, Myanmar
(Rangoon, Burma). He served as
the DEA Liaison Officer from 6
Jan 09 to 17 Aug 2012. Dan is
leaving JIATF West for an overseas assignment with
the DEA.
Above, RDML Rendon presents a koa paddle as a parting
gift in honor of Dan’s work and dedication.
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JIATF West E-Newsletter Sep 2012
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FS1 Donahue’s Promotion to Chief
RDML Rendon, far right, watches as Chief Donahue’s wife and Chief Warrant Officer McGinnis pin “Chief anchors” on
the collar of FS1 Donahue’s uniform during his promotion to Chief. -Photo JIATF West, 4 September 2012.
O
n September 4th, a promotion
ceremony was held in honor
of U.S. Coast Guard Food Service
Specialist First Class (FS1) Andrew
Donahue for his achievement to the
rank of Chief. In attendance were
Chief Donahue’s family, RDML
Rendon and wife, Felicitas. Twenty
members of the Hawaiian Coast
Guard Chief’s Mess also attended in support of their
newest member.
Chief Donahue’s family
has a tradition of
service in the U.S.
Coast Guard. The Chief
anchors presented to
Donahue were from his
father who was a Senior Chief
Boatswain’s Mate and Officer in
Charge of the “Sabine Pass” in
Sabine, Texas. Chief Donahue’s
brother is a Senior Chief currently
serving in
the
U.S.
Coast Guard
as well.
During the ceremony, Felicitas
presented charm necklaces as
gifts to Chief Donahue’s two
daughters as a token of
appreciation for their father’s
work at JIATF West and for
the volunteer work that he
does on behalf of the Coast
Guard.
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JIATF West E-Newsletter Sep 2012
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Stryker Vehicle Tour at Schofield Barracks
U.S. Coast Guard First Class Storekeeper (SK1) Jonathan Blume and U.S. Air Force Reserve Senior Master Sergeant
(SMSgt) Joseph Jordan stand in front of Army Stryker vehicles during a training event at Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa
Hawaii. -Photo JIATF West, 10 August 2012.
T
wo members from JIATF West recently
participated in a PACOM organized tour of
Army Stryker vehicles at Schofield Barracks. U.S.
Air Force Reserve Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt)
Joseph Jordan and U.S. Coast Guard First Class
Storekeeper Jonathan Blume participated in the tour
as part of an Enlisted Professional Military
Education (EPME) event.
Stryker vehicles are special vehicles designed for
speed and fast deployments where slower tanks
cannot be used such as on urban roadways. Built by
General Dynamics, these impressive vehicles first
came into service in 2002 and were designed to
enable a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) to
rapidly deploy anywhere in the world in a combat
ready configuration.
Although each vehicle weighs approximately 19
tons, they can be transported on C-17 and C-130
aircraft.
According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Army
maintains and operates over 300 Stryker Vehicles
at Schofield Barracks. Many of Hawaii's Stryker
vehicles have been deployed in Iraq, but are now
permanently stationed in Hawaii as most deployed
Strykers are of newer anti-explosive double V-Hull
designs. Seven different Stryker models were on
display.
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-Nuclear Biological Chemical
-Mobile Gun System
-Infantry Carrier Vehicle
-Mortar Carrier
-Stryker Anti-Tank Guided Missile
-Stryker C2 Vehicle
-Stryker Reconnaissance Vehicle
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Stryker Vehicle Tour at Schofield Barracks
Personnel from various military services gather to watch members of a Brigade Combat Team open the rear hatches of a
Stryker Mortar Carrier vehicle for a demonstration of launching a mortar round in sixty seconds during a training event
at Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa Hawaii. -Photo JIATF West, 10 August 2012.
Schofield Barracks Army Base showcases the Stryker Anti-Tank Guided Missile vehicle. -Photo JIATF West, 10 August
2012.
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Stryker Vehicle Tour at Schofield Barracks
SMSgt Joseph Jordan is a USAF Reservist who
previously served eight years active duty in the
U.S. Air Force. He currently works with the
Consolidated Counter Drug Database (CCDB), a
comprehensive database that captures the details
surrounding drug-related seizure events that
occur globally.
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Joseph Jordan stands in front of a U.S. Army Stryker Anti-Tank Guided
Missile vehicle. Below, U.S. Coast Guard First Class Storekeeper (SK1) Jonathan Blume poses for a photo in front of a
U.S. Army Stryker Fire Support Vehicle at Schofield Barracks. -Photo JIATF West, 10 August 2012.
SK1 Blume is an Active Duty member of the Coast
Guard with 15 years of service. Prior to moving
to Hawaii to work for JIATF West he was
stationed in Bahrain for Patrol Forces South West
Asia (PATFORSWA), a group of 280 Coast Guard
members spread out from Bahrain up to
Afghanistan providing logistical support.
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JIATF West E-Newsletter Sep 2012
P. 12
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Thank you for reading...
This e-newsletter was produced by J5
Strategic Communications.
For questions, comments, or story ideas,
please contact Mr. Shawn Parrish
shawn.parrish.ctr@jiatfw.pacom.mil
808-477-9758
Joint Interagency Task Force West
Box 64033
Camp H.M. Smith, HI 96861-4033
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