Navy concludes members of former Iraqi regime know whereabouts of missing U.S. pilot (Speicher)

SD Union Tribune ^ | 9-8-05 | Robert Burns

[Soaring Feather]

Very nice. Thanks for the ping.

[bitt]

tftp!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Triple]

Excerpt from: "Joint Tactics, Techniques,
and Procedures
for Combat Search
and Rescue"

5. Execution (me: of a combat search and rescue)

a. Authentication of Isolated Personnel.
Because CSAR assets are extremely
vulnerable during the recovery phase, isolated
personnel will not normally be recovered
until their identity has been verified.
Effective authentication methods include
ISOPREP data, theater code words, and visual
signals.

• Isolated Personnel Report. Each
person subject to action in and over
hostile territory will provide individual
authentication data on an ISOPREP.
Detailed procedures for use of the
ISOPREP card can be found in Appendix
D, “ISOPREP Data Collection Checklist
and Procedures.” During combat,
individuals should review their
ISOPREP card prior to each mission.
Completed forms are classified
CONFIDENTIAL and are normally kept
on file with the individual’s unit until
requested by the RCC or JSRC.
Commanders should establish
procedures to ensure that accurate
ISOPREP data can be immediately
provided through secure means to the
JSRC, RCC, or other authorized support
agency, as appropriate. Commanders
should also ensure that JSRC and RCC
have been provided 24-hour contact
procedures to obtain ISOPREP
information. All subordinate or attached
unit personnel should be familiar with
ISOPREP procedures.

• Theater Code Words. The JSRC and
joint or multinational intelligence
agencies should develop standardized
theater codes and symbols for CSAR
purposes. These usually are in the form
of a CSAR word, letter, number, color of
the day, week, or month, and are
published in the CSAR SPINS found in
the ATO. For units not in the ATO, the
JSRC must send this information by other
means. Individual authentication
phrases, numbers, and descriptions are
recorded on the individual’s ISOPREP
card. Locally developed authentication
codes should be minimized but, if used,
should be forwarded to the RCC or JSRC
once a person becomes isolated.

• Visual Signals. In some circumstances,
visual (ground-to-air) signals may be
the best (or only) way to communicate
with CSAR forces. Information on
theater ground-to-air signals should also
be available in the ATO CSAR SPINS.
Isolated personnel can use ground-to-air
signals to notify search forces of their
location when other means of
communications are not practical or
available. Additionally, ground-to-air
signals such as flares or smoke generators
can assist rescue forces in the objective
area to determine the survivor’s exact
location. Signal mirrors and flares are
useful in the process of identifying and
locating isolated personnel.

End excerpt: Does that explain it?

Regards,

[ASA Vet]

As usual AP hasn't a clue.

The photo shows Lt. (O-3) Michael Speicher.
In a Jan 1, 2001 Pentagon press release Michael Speicher held the rank of Commander (O-5).
He apparently has been promoted twice since his capture. His next US Navy rank will be Captain (O-6).

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

Got it. I don't know that I'd call "Confidential" highly classified though.

Thanks

[Triple]

Yes, the highly classified part of the story is not going to be posted here, or anywhere else.

[troop_defender]

Perhaps if Capt. Speicher was a blond beauty the whole media machine might get involved in the fight to locate Capt. Speicher. It amazes me of how one lost American in Aruba gets more attention by the media in three then the whole forty year history of 100's of MIA/POW. Further evidence of miss placed priorities of the American media.

TD