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The United States Military has been involved in persistent counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations for well over a decade. Since 9/11, special operations forces have played an integral, if not lead role in these efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq and the lesser-publicized Philippines. Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines serves as a compelling model of success, not only for COIN and CT but also for the larger umbrella concept of the ARSOF core activity: foreign internal defense. This success is due in large part to the evolution of the mission, and the adaptability of the U.S. special operations forces assigned to the Philippine Islands. The current U.S. military effort in the Philippines is entering a period of transition, prompted by changes to the operational environment based on security gains achieved over the past 11 years, as well as to support developments such as the United States' "Asia Rebalance," and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Internal Peace and Security Plan. The OEF-P way forward will set the stage for continued mission success in the Philippines and support to U.S. security objectives in the region.
Background & Evolution of OEF-P
OEF-P officially began in 2002, fueled by the country's renewed commitment to counterterrorism in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. However, the U.S. security interest in the Philippines had been piqued earlier, initially by the rise of the Abu Sayyaf Group, and their shift in tactics to kidnapping for ransom in order to finance and further their cause for separate Islamic state. As a result of these changes the Government of the Philippines requested assistance from the U.S. in dealing with the ASG threat. This resulted in the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) assignment to assist with the activation and training of the Philippine Army's Light Reaction Company, which would be trained in advanced CT doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures in order to fulfill the request for assistance with the rising ASG problem. Training was conducted by 1st Battalion, 1st SFG(A) from March to July of2001. In May 2001, the ASG conducted an attack and KFR of several tourists on the resort island of Palawan, prompting Special Operations Command Pacific to increase efforts from training the LRC to also providing intelligence assistance and conducting further assessment of the AFP for...