1989

The U.S. military was given statutory responsibility to detect and monitor aerial and maritime illicit drug shipments to the United States. With this statutory responsibility, came the first iteration of the national drug task forces; Joint Task Force (JTF) FOUR (4) in Key West Fla., JTF FIVE (5), in Alameda, Calif., JTF SIX (6), in El Paso, Texas, and JTF South in Panama City, Panama. JTF 5 ultimately became Joint Interagency Task Force-West (JIATF West). 

Three JTFs, JTF-4, 5, and South were re-designated as Joint Interagency Task Forces (JIATFs) with expanded authorities under the National Interdiction Command and Control Plan (NICCP). JTF-4 became JIATF East, JTF-5 became JIATF West, and JTF-6 became JTF North. The JIATFs coordinated and directed the detection, monitoring, and sorting of suspect drug-trafficking aircraft and vessels. Targets were turned over to appropriate U.S. law enforcement authorities for apprehension.

JIATF East became JIATF South. JIATF South is located in Key West, Fla., and continues to conduct counter illicit trafficking operations, intelligence fusion and multi-senior correlation to detect, monitor, and handoff suspected illicit trafficking targets. JIATF South was responsible for the CD Operations in the Caribbean and JIATF West oversaw the Eastern Pacific (EPAC).

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC) issued a memorandum delineating the AORs for JIATF South, JIATF West, and JTF North. JIATF South assumed responsibility for detection and monitoring responsibilities as defined by 10 U.S.C. § 124 in a Joint Operating Area (JOA) within the USINDOPACOM AOR that extends west from the USSOUTHCOM AOR boundary, from 092° W to 120° W longitude. This portion of the EPAC was formerly the responsibility of JIATF West. JIATF West retained responsibility for executing CD missions in the remainder of USINDOPACOM’s AOR except for the JOA.

JIATF West relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii from Alameda, Calif. In conjunction with the move, JIATF West developed a strategy with supporting activities to face the particular challenges of the Indo-Pacific region, and to meet the evolving needs of our law enforcement partners. JIATF West works closely with senior law enforcement leadership partners across the region to support major CD Operations.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) §1004 was the authority under which JIATF West conducted most of its activities in previous years. The 2017 NDAA re-apportioned §1004 to Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 15, §284 and Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 16, §333, which now serves as the primary authorities for DoD to provide training to foreign security partners.

The FY2021 Defense-Wide Review (DWR) directed to “Deactivate Joint Interagency Task Force - West Operations Center/Systems” and transfer residual functions to USINDOPACOM and USNORTHCOM no later than FY 2023.

DoD Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, and USINDOPACOM recommended reversal of the DWR decision and advocated for retention of JIATF West as a standing task force.

In response to the DWR reversal, JIATF West formed a Mission Refinement Working Group (MRWG) to determine how to best leverage the TF’s limited resources and to best execute focused missions.

Secretary of Defense approved the decision to retain JIATF West as a smaller, more focused organization that would concentrate on programs and activities directly supporting the CD and Counter Transnational Organized Crime (CTOC) missions. These programs and activities were to include tracking networks, exploiting intelligence, sharing information, and integrating with partners.  

JIATF West brings military and law enforcement capabilities together to combat drug-related transnational crime in the Indo-Pacific Region. JIATF West's top priority is supporting law enforcement in their efforts to reduce the illicit flow of fentanyl, methamphetamine, Amphetamine-Type Stimulants and precursors intended for U.S. markets. JIATF West has four specific Lines Of Effort (LOE):

• LOE 1: Provide Intelligence Analysis to US LEAs and partners in support of Investigations and Operations
• LOE 2: Identify, Monitor, and Target Threat Networks associated with Precursor Chemicals and Pharmaceutical Equipment from the Indo-Pacific to the Western Hemisphere
• LOE 3: Identify, Monitor, and Target Threat Networks associated with Mexican drug trafficking organizations operating in the Indo-Pacific
• LOE 4: Strengthen Allies and Partners