Coalition forces share data to avert collisions in skies, sea

ABOARD THE USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT -- To avoid accidents in Central Asia's seas and skies, U.S. forces share radar and other strategic data with anti-terrorism coalition partners operating in the Arabian Gulf, senior aircraft carrier officers said Saturday.

Hundreds of vessels -- from often undetectable fishing boats to cargo ships and naval boats -- ply the gulf's sea lanes and the busy Straits of Hormuz. Passenger liners and warplanes share the skies above.

The potential for accidents is "always a concern and we are conscious of safety. We have to be vigilant," said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Madison, the USS Theodore Roosevelt's task force command center officer.

There have been no reported accidents involving U.S. and coalition warplanes and ships in sea and air routes since anti-terrorism operations began in early October, ship spokesman Lt. John Oliveira said.

Madison, 46, of Vincennes, Ind., said sharing radar and other surveillance data gives U.S. and anti-terrorism coalition partners a clear picture of regional sea and air traffic.

The air corridors that crisscross Central Asian skies are used by commercial airlines to reach destinations like Karachi, Pakistan; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Tehran, Iran; and Cairo. The commercial airliners share the skies with U.S. warplanes launching from aircraft carriers on daily missions over Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Two U.S. naval battle groups, plus one each from Italy and France, are in the Arabian Gulf. They share the waters with Australian, British and Canadian vessels patrolling the region to intercept boats suspected of smuggling oil or Taliban and al-Qaida members to safety.

"I once likened all the coalition partners to groups of kids trying to share the same playground," said the Roosevelt's captain, Rich O'Hanlon of New York. "We once had issues with different planes and ships not being able to identify each other, but they soon got to know our codes and it is no longer a problem."