U.S. Air Force Moves Special-Operations Forces Toward North Atlantic in Move Against Russia

Synopsis: In a major maritime crackdown, the United States seized two sanctioned oil tankers—the Russian-flagged Marinera in the North Atlantic and the “stateless” M/T Sophia in the Caribbean.

-The Marinera capture followed a two-week chase involving U.S. Air Force U-28A Draco intelligence aircraft and the failure of a Russian naval escort, including a submarine, to prevent the interdiction.

PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 24, 2024) A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, attached to the 5th Bomb Wing, and aircraft attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, fly in formation over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Feb. 24, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Thomas Gooley)

A B-52, assigned to Minot Air Force Base, sits on the flightline at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Nov. 27, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jermaine Ayers)

-Meanwhile, U.S. Southern Command’s “Operation Southern Spear” secured the Sophia, laden with 2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, drawing condemnation from Moscow, which labeled the actions “21st-century piracy.”

The U.S. Air Force Special Forces Go After Russian Flagged Tankers 

The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic after more than a two-week-long chase across the Atlantic.

The sanctioned vessel, which changed its name from the Bella 1 to the Marinera last month, fled from Venezuela and was seized on Wednesday. The U.S. also announced the seizure of another sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, which it said was “conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea.” 

The US pulled out all stops to ensure that the tanker didn’t escape, including the use of multiple special operations aircraft based in England.

Air Force Special Operations Intelligence Aircraft Used:

During operations to keep tabs on the oil tanker M/V Marinera, the US Air Force moved three U-28A Draco intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft north along the coast of England and Scotland from airbases RAF Mildenhall and RAF Coningsby on Wednesday. 

All three aircraft climbed to operating altitude and proceeded to the same area that the tanker was traveling in. The Defence Blog had earlier posted photos showing US special operators practising fast rope and rescue training from US CV-22B Osprey aircraft from the 7th Special Operations Squadron at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom.

This type of training would be directly tied to the same type of operation to seize the tanker.

Russian Protection For The Tank Fails

Russian state media and The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia deployed a submarine and other naval units into the North Atlantic to escort the tanker and protect it from a U.S. interdiction attempt. That has failed.

Akula-Class Submarine. Image Credit: Computer Generated Image, Screenshot.

U.S. European Command confirmed the seizure of the Marinera in a press release. “The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro,” it said in a post on X, while thanking the UK RAF for its assistance.

The empty tanker, now operating under a Russian flag and linked to Iranian-sanctioned shipments, had been tracked moving from the Caribbean to the North Atlantic over the past 17 days.

Russia condemned the seizure of the Bella 1, with its transport ministry arguing that “no state has the right to use force against vessels that are properly registered in the jurisdictions of other nations” under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, a treatythe US has not signed.

TASS also reported Russian lawmaker Leonid Slutsky called the US seizure of the vessel an act of “21st-century piracy” which violates international law.

U-28A Draco

The U-28A Draco is a highly modified Pilatus PC-12 aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) for manned intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), forward air control, and other special operations missions, known for its ability to operate from short, austere airstrips and provide tactical support to ground forces worldwide.

AFSOC fielded the U-28A fleet by purchasing commercially available aircraft and subsequently modifying them to include tactical communications capabilities and aircraft survivability equipment. The U-28A benefits from outstanding reliability and performance.

Second Tanker Seized In The Caribbean

The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which oversees military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, posted a video on X that the U.S. had also seized the M/T Sophia, “a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker” that it said was “operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea.

“Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere. We will defend our Homeland and restore security and strength across the Americas,” SOUTHCOM added. 

According to Emmanuel Belostrino, an oil market analyst at Kpler, satellite imagery and port reports indicate the M/T Sophia was “laden with around 2 million barrels of Merey crude oil, loaded from Jose Oil Terminal (JOT)” in Venezuela. 

U.S. Air Force Maj. Melanie “Mach” Kluesner, the pilot for the F-35A Demonstration Team, performs aerial maneuvers in a USAF F-35A Lightning II during the practice day before the airshow at Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Florida, on 18 October, 2024. The practice day ensures that the team is able to safely and properly display the power, agility, and lethality of America’s 5th generation fighter jet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicholas Rupiper)

Kpler, which runs the ship-tracking service MarineTraffic, said the Sophia’s involvement in sanctioned trade may extend back several years.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said the capture of the Marinera was authorized by a US court order.

She characterized the M/T Sophia as being part of a “Venezuelan shadow fleet” which transported sanctioned oil. Leavitt added that the court order authorising the seizure of the vessel also covered its crew, meaning they could be brought to the US and prosecuted.

About the Author: Steve Balestrieri 

Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.