NSW in the PI

Here's a nice video featuring SEALs in the Philippines. Also see JSOTF-P's blog here.

I agree the nearly decade old operation has gone well and been cost effective. But frankly, comparisons to the scope and cost of JSOTF-P's COIN (really FID) efforts to COIN/CT efforts in Iraq or Afghanistan are apples and rocks. The nature of the insurgencies are fundamentally different as unlike the primary AQ affiliates, the Mindanao insurgents are of limited importance to al Qaeda's overall strategy and lack external support and an influx of foreign jihadists fighters.

Criticism aside though, the NSW (SEAL and SWCC), NECC forces (primarily maritime civil affairs), and various USN/USNS ships have done a tremendous job in supporting the PI military in combating Islamic insurgents since 2002. (And yes, there are non-Navy SOF and GPF involved also, but this has been a maritime-centric operation). Aside from the obvious COIN lessons learned, some take-aways from a naval IW perspective include the experience gained operating and sustaining distributed SOF in an archipeligo, use of small tactical UAS in a maritime environment, and long duration afloat staging of SOF.

Update: try this link at SWJ. For some reason (probably my technical ineptitude), the above video link isn't working.

The opinions and views expressed in this post are those of the author alone and are presented in his personal capacity. They do not necessarily represent the views of U.S. Department of Defense, the US Navy, or any other agency.