State Dept. Recruiting Counterdrug Aviation Adviser for Peruvian Jungle Post

The U.S. State Dept. is continuing to step up deployment of personnel and resources to conduct air-based coca- and poppy eradication missions in South America, evident most recently by a recruitment campaign to locate a new Fixed Wing Aviation Advisor at a key command post in the jungle town of Pucallpa, Peru – a facility involved in the April 20, 2001, downing of an airplane that killed U.S. missionary Veronica Bowers and her infant daughter, Charity. The new aviation adviser would report to the American Embassy’s Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) in Lima, Peru, and will assist the NAS executive field coordinator in the monitoring and coordination of activities in support of Peruvian counternarcotics operations. According to an April 11 personnel solicitation notice obtained from the FedBizOpps procurement database, the new adviser will be stationed in Pucallpa – home of the Sixth Territorial Air Region Command (VI/RAT) Command Post – but also will coordinate NAS aviation operations “at other forward operating sites east of the Andes.”

This recruitment drive come at a time when the U.S. government simultaneously is planning the region-wide deployment of contract mercenaries – beginning with Peru and Bolivia – who as early as next month will set up what the State Dept. refers to as Combined Country Personnel Recovery Centers, or CCPRCs. The CCPRCs will serve as staging grounds for reconnaissance missions involving missing or captured counternarcotics pilots and personnel.

NarcoSphere on March 31 was the first news outlet to expose the CCPRC project (see “Mercenaries to Play Greater Role in Future U.S.-Led Drug Interdiction, Crop Eradication Missions” http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2005/3/31/1 3529/5779 ). Despite worldwide dissemination and discussion of the report by bloggers and independent media news groups, the mainstream media has been – and continues to be – silent about the matter.

The State Dept. estimates that it will establish annual compensation for the Fixed Wing Aviation Advisor in the $58,845-$86,714 range. Potential candidates must have the ability to “plan and analyze international counter-narcotics aviation operations and logistic support programs,” according to the personnel solicitation.

Job seekers also should be aware of the fact that, if hired, “Changes in legislation and national strategy, coupled with foreign political uncertainties sometimes complicate plans. Aviation advisor must cope with such diverse factors as foreign assistance legislation, bilateral agreements, U.S. policy, available U.S. government aircraft support, and private sector aviation support.”

Additionally, the department notice points out that it is “desired,” but not necessarily required, that candidates have some "Knowledge of the political, economic, legal and military environment of Peru and regional factors affecting counternarcotics programs,” as well as “Familiarity with U.S. and Latin-America counter narcotics operations.”