Fri, Aug 22, 2003
Resumption of Deadly 'Drug-Interdiction' Flights Not a Good
Idea
In case the Administration missed it the first time ["IAOPA
Condemns Peruvian/CIA Attack," 04-25-01, ANN], the International
Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) is
reiterating its opposition to the use of deadly force against
civilian aircraft that are not an immediate threat to national
security. IAOPA was responding to a 19 August announcement from the
White House that the United States was resuming the "Airbridge
Denial Program," a drug interdiction assistance program, with the
Republic of Colombia.
The program provides technical assistance, including
surveillance aircraft, to assist in tracking aircraft that might be
engaged in illegal drug activity. This is the first of the
"Airbridge" programs to resume after the tragic shoot down of a
missionary aircraft in Peru in 2001. While the White House said
that Colombia now has "appropriate procedures to protect against
loss of innocent life," IAOPA still maintains that deadly force
against civilian aircraft cannot be justified.
"We support aggressive efforts to stop drug smuggling," said
Phil Boyer, IAOPA president, "but as was so tragically demonstrated
in Peru, the risks of shooting down an innocent aircraft far
outweigh the satisfaction of downing a drug smuggler. The same
modern technology and superior intelligence information which makes
it possible to identify a suspected aircraft in the first place
could just as easily be used to track the aircraft to its landing
point where officials could arrest the suspects."
In the tragic incident
in Peru, covered extensively in Aero-News, a 'Dragonfly'
fighter jet attacked a single-engine Cessna, owned by the
U.S.-based Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, after a
U.S. surveillance plane said it might be a flight ferrying illegal
drugs. A missionary and her infant daughter were shot and killed.
The pilot in command was wounded.
A U.S. State Department insider has told AOPA-USA's Washington
office that resumption of the Airbridge program with Peru is now
also under consideration. However, some American Congressman have
expressed deep concern about the program.
Meanwhile, representatives from AOPA-USA plan to meet with the
State Department to review the details of the "safeguards" in the
Colombian Airbridge Denial Program.
More News
Maximum Authorized Altitude A published altitude representing the maximum usable altitude or flight level for an airspace structure or route segment. It is the highest altitude on >[...]
Aero Linx: Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) The Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) is the Training and Safety arm of the Soaring Society of America (SSA). Our mission is to provide ins>[...]
From 2013 (YouTube Version): Dracula Lives On Through Kyle Franklin... and We're NOT Scared! ANN CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Jim Campbell speaks with Aerobatic and airshow master, Kyl>[...]
“For Montaer Aircraft it is a very prudent move to incorporate such reliable institution as Ocala Aviation, with the background of decades in training experience and aviation>[...]
Also: ForeFlight Upgrades, Cicare USA, Vittorazi Engines, EarthX We have a number of late-breaking news highlights from the 2024 Innovation Preview... which was PACKED with real ne>[...]