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National Guard Counterdrug Lessons Learned

NCJ Number
156814
Date Published
1992
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This After Action Report was submitted to the National Guard (NG) Bureau, Directorate for Military Support, to characterize counterdrug support provided to law enforcement during fiscal year 1991.
Abstract
The NG supported the U.S. Customs Service by traveling to airfields to record aircraft tail numbers. Many counterdrug ground surveillance operations took place in populated areas versus remote areas and required special considerations different from traditional military operations. NG personnel tasked to conduct aerial surveillance in support of local police departments found that marijuana growing sites were often located in rugged terrain that restricted line of sight to cultivation plots. NG personnel assigned to conduct container searches for the U.S. Customs Service found they did not have the tools necessary for the mission. Frequently, NG personnel cited the additional problem of inadequate communications equipment in working with law enforcement agencies. Lessons learned by the NG in the course of supporting counterdrug operations of law enforcement agencies are noted. A recommended load list for container search support is included.