Airmen contribute to counter-drug mission Published March 7, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee Air Force News Agency SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- After 210 metric tons of their illegal drugs were blocked from coming into the United States in 2007, drug runners in the Pacific region are probably quite familiar with the work of U.S. Southern Command members. More than 350 Airmen stationed at forward operating locations in Manta, Ecuador and the Caribbean Island Curacao are on the front lines of the drug war, said Jose Ruiz, a Southern Command media relations officer. Southern Command Airmen patrol a 4,000-square mile area of the eastern Pacific Ocean and Colombia from Manta. Ecuador is located in close proximity to Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. The three countries are the world's top three producers of cocaine. "The Air Force is making a very big impact in the counter-drug mission with their aerial support," he said. "We have made significant strides in the amount of drugs we have interdicted, thanks to those eyes in the sky." The region has become quite tense recently, as diplomacy between Ecuador and Colombia has fallen apart. This has not stopped the Air Force mission in the area because the United States maintains a cordial partnership with both countries. "We have good (military-to-military) relationships with Ecuador and Colombia," Mr. Ruiz said. "In spite of tensions in that region, our relationships with both countries remains positive." Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) Click here to view the comments/letters page