Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines : A Demonstration of Economy of Force

Abstract

Abstract : Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines (OEF-P) is a joint operation administered by Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) that has been in operation in one form or another in the southern Philippines since March of 2001. Under OEF-P, the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) operates hand in hand with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to conduct civil/military operations and combat operations to limit the power and scope of the Al Qaeda linked Abu Sayeff Group and other rogue elements in the area. JSOTF-P has been successful in reducing the size of militant groups and the number and severity of terrorist attacks in the region. These achievements have led to discussions between the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) and the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) concerning the possibility of ending OEF-P within the next year and re-directing forces and money to other areas of the GWOT. This is pre-mature. On balance, America's involvement in the southern Philippines has been successful but it is not over. Every month sees new kidnappings and attacks linked to the ASG and rogue elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Despite eight years of U.S. COIN training and the receipt of hundreds of millions of dollars of updated military equipment and aid, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are not ready to continue this fight alone. With only 600 U.S. troops in country and a budget of $52 million a year, OEF-P is an Economy of Force operation in the GWOT. Continued U.S. commitment to OEF-P is required to further consolidate GWOT progress and achieve the goal of enduring peace in the southern Philippines.