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(S//SI) SID Support to SOUTHCOM - Update on U.S. Hostages
FROM:
SOUTHCOM Account Manager (S112)
Run Date: 02/23/2004
FROM:
SOUTHCOM Account Manager (S112)
(S//SI) February 13th marked the one-year anniversary for three Americans being held hostage
by insurgents in Colombia. Hundreds of personnel across the Defense, Intelligence, Policy, and
Law Enforcement Communities have been working to gain their release. The challenge is great,
the risks are tremendous, and the outlook is uncertain. Still, the SIGINT system has been
focused on providing actionable intelligence on this top SOUTHCOM priority.
SRS crash
(TS//SI) Last year, a SOUTHCOM Reconnaissance System Cessna crashed while performing a
counternarcoterrorism mission over the coca fields of Caqueta, Colombia. The plane was
immediately surrounded by FARC (Revolutionary Armed forces of Colombia) insurgents who
executed Thomas Janis (U.S. pilot) and Luis Alcides Cruz (Colombian). The FARC then took the
remaining three U.S. crewmembers hostage - Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howe, and Keith
Stansell.
Marc Gonsalves Thomas Howes Keith Stansell
(TS//SI) There has been a steady stream of intelligence reports about the location and status of
the hostages from the moment they were captured, and even specials on 60 Minutes II and the
History Channel last summer showing an interview with the hostages. However, the U.S. has not
been able to determine with high confidence the exact location and status of the hostages. This
is the goal for the SIGINT system.
(TS//SI) Many elements of the SIGINT system are monitoring related communications.
Immediately after the crash, airborne platforms intercepted calls from FARC members discussing
the movement of the hostages. NSA also monitored INMARSAT communications associated with
high-level FARC commanders. However, the FARC leadership soon thereafter ordered that
personnel cease mentioning hostage operations directly. Still, through call chaining work
performed at USM-1 in Ft Belvoir, and elsewhere, NSA has been monitoring the INMARSAT calls
of two radio operators, Paula and Adriana, who are connected to two FARC leaders we strongly
suspect are linked to the hostages. Mapping of INMARSAT, and all other communications in the
target areas, has been performed daily by elements in Regional Targets, International Crime and
Narcotics, Medina RSOC, Denver Field Station, and CSG SOUTHCOM. The Joint Interagency Task
Force-SOUTH Cryptologic Support Group has been coordinating various airborne missions
collecting, among other technologies, High Powered Cordless Phones, associated with the FARC.
(TS//SI) SIGINT has shown the FARC visually tracking airborne platforms as they fly over
suspected hostage locations, resulting in FARC stations observing radio silence to avoid
detection. The Special Collection Service has been monitoring communications that link various
locations where the hostages have been moved. Regional Targets SIGDEV personnel routinely
work with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, with cross-cueing between both agencies
resulting in discoveries of new FARC communications networks and activity in suspect areas. The
Cryptologic Support Group at SOUTHCOM was recently made a part of the SIGINT Production
Chain, and has provided valuable analysis for USSOUTHCOM leadership.
(S//SI) Locating, tracking, and gaining the release of the hostages requires teaming across the
U.S government. NSA is engaged in sensitive, ongoing, focused operations. Every effort is being
made by NSA to enable SOUTHCOM to create a positive outcome.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108