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As part of the ISAP Air Wing, the "GAS" strategy is currently being developed.

What is the GAS??

ISAP - NATIONAL GROUND / AIR SUPPORT PROJECT (GAS)

Index:

1. Introduction to ISAP

2. Proposal Summary

3. Project Goals & Objectives

4. Program Methods & Design

5. Project Activities

6. Proposed Project Schedule

7. Key Personnel

8. Project Monitoring & Evaluation

9. Future Funding or Sustainability

10. Proposed Budget

Terminology:

TOC Tactical Operations Center
MS Mobile Support
AC Air Control & Support
GF Ground Forces (Governmental organizations (Namibia Police / Traffic Departments / Ministries), Farmers, Lodge Owners, Rhino Custodians, NAPHA (Namibia Professional Hunters Association)
APU Anti-Poaching Unit
SOP Standard Operating Procedures


1. Introduction to ISAP

ISAP is a Section 21 Namibia Non Profit NGO that aims to combat poaching through creating awareness and gathering information (Intelligence), from various platforms, in support of the Namibian authorities. Once gained, information is collated and processed into intelligence, it is passed on to the likes of the Ministry of Environment & Tourism (MET), Namibian Police Protected Resource Division or any other authority or organization, which has anti-poaching as part of its objectives. See attached full Prospectus document

2. Proposal Summary

To establish a national ground and air quick reaction capability (airborne control and coordination to ground forces by means of Radio / mobile & Sat phone communication), in the event of major poaching incidents, search & rescue, conservation needs, air surveillance and crime prevention.

This project aims to support commercial famers, private reserves, government authorities and any other organization / area, which may require a coordinated ground and air support capability. Essentially this would lead to the formation of Private Public Partnerships, which ISAP sees as a key element to fighting all forms of environmental crimes.

3. Project Goals & Objectives

Goals:

ISAP mission is to provide an affordable, coordinated and professional tactical air and ground support service to:

  • 1.Governmental organizations (Police, Traffic Dep, MET, Directorates Forestry & Fishing)
  • 2.Farmers
  • 3.Private Lodge’s, Hunting farms and APU
  • 4.Rhino Custodians
  • 5.NAPHA (Namibia Professional Hunters Association)
  • 6.Search and Rescue operations

Main focus would be on anti poaching or reacting to poaching incidents, it however makes sense to cater for other incidents (as listed above), as this gives the project better critical mass and ensures better sustainability.

Objectives:

Key to the success of this initiative would be the following components, listed in order of priority:

  • 1.Source International and local funding
  • 2.Present project to all stakeholders
  • 3.Procure required equipment and transportation needs.
  • 4.Draw up regional list of air assets within farmer communities / areas
  • 5.Draw up regional list of key GF contact numbers
  • 6.Ensure good communication between all parties and understanding specific individual rolls by provide training and coordination between all parties
  • 7.Provide GF with a set of SOP’s to be used at the time of a incident
  • 8.Set up TOC to support all operations, ensuring good planning (mission, deployment, navigation & logistics support)
  • 9.Set up formalized feed back and debriefing procedures

4. Program Methods & Design

ISAP Air support services will consist of a TOC based in Windhoek at Eros Airport. The Center must be fully equipped to facilitate Planning, deployment, mission control, navigation, logistics support and airborne command & control, and will be manned by volunteer pilots.

Command & control will be provided via our PA-18 Super Cub, equipped with Radios (Ground to air / Air to farmer 2 way radio networks etc.), satellite telephonic communications and GPS. For extended and away from base operations, the aircraft will be supported by our Mobile Support (MS) platform as well as the Drone platform

Once a incident is reported to the ISAP TOC, reference is made to the regional list of GF’s contact numbers, ensuring speedy response and reaction to the incident from closest located GF’s.

Should the area requiring support be placed to far away for practical deployment of ISAP aircraft, the national database of aerial assets will be checked to see where closest air support would be available. Together with a coordinated approach by local GF this will greatly reduces response time to incidents, will ensure good coordination on the ground resulting in a far more effective ability to apprehend poachers, before they can escape OR COMMIT THE CRIME!!

The MS will be a 4x4 vehicle fully equipped to travel anywhere in Namibia, to fulfill the roll of a mobile TOC, manned by two persons. Equipment would include all communications, ground support and additional aircraft fuel and other equipment for multi day deployment. It is responsible for all logistics backup needed by the AC and its crew.

The AC is a two seater PA-18 Piper Super Cub aircraft equipped to do all control and coordination whilst airborne. It will be the main platform of communications to the GF. Coupled to the aircraft would be the ISAP Drone platform.

ISAP Drone platform - Utilization of Drones for Anti-Poaching Activities

ISAP is currently investigating the sourcing of drone technology to assist us in our anti-poaching activities. To have a better understanding of what our drone requirements are, we would have to look at the various scenarios in which drones would perform critical tasks:

  • a.Key Species Census – In area where poaching activities are such that it is important to do daily or weekly census (counts) to ensure that all key animals are accounted for. This service ISAP would offer in conjunction with our ground and air support strategy.
  • b.Poaching Follow Up Operations – together with ISAP ground based reaction unit, a drone would play the role of suppressing the poachers i.e. when they are being tracked (Hot pursuit) by our Anti-Poaching Units (APU’s), a drone can be deployed to scout ahead of the pursuing APU’s, which leads to several advantages for the APU’s, firstly once the poachers notice the air asset they tend to go to ground (Suppressing) which gives the APU’s and the K9 unit the opportunity to close down on them. Secondly the drone would provide a very important early warning to the APU’s should the poachers intend to ambush them, thereby creating a very good safety element for the APU’s.

  • c.Wounded Animal Location – many times poachers (due to poor equipment / experience) will wound the animals (Rhino / Elephant mostly) and leave them as such in the field. A drone provides a valuable asset in location of wounded animals, or in the last resort location of the carcass. Many times, the presence of vultures leads one to the area, but due to some aspects like terrain / foliage it makes it very difficult to locate the wounded animal or carcass without drone assistance. Drones have also proven themselves to be valuable when darting animals, and the location of them during the period that the drug starts to take effect. (esp. night time).

  • d.Night Time Patrol (Mobile Observation Posts) – Drone fitted with a FliR Night Vision Gimble, which provides the capacity to patrol certain areas at night. This is especially effective when the drone has the capacity to patrol pre-loaded grid patterns, coupled to the thermal imaging equipment. In areas with low human habitation (Private reserves / national parks etc) once human activity or movement is noticed then this is mostly evidence of some form of criminal activity. Again, together with ISAP ground support / response capability, this tandem approach has the ability to be affective and yield good results.

  • e.Search & Rescue – ISAP as part of providing assistance and support to the Namibian authorities, also assist in other initiatives / operations which could make use of the ISAP technologies. One of these are the use of drones in search and rescue missions. In areas where terrain, foliage or any other factor influences the movement of man or vehicle, drones provide an invaluable aid to assist with the location of people or assets.

As per the ISAP ground & air support strategy, the equipping of the ground support vehicle plays a very a very important role. One of the key pieces of the ground support vehicle will the drone platform enabled with grid programming, substantial “on station” (endurance) capability as well as enhanced photographic and thermal imagery equipment.



5. Project Activities

Source International and local funding

Currently ISAP is busy soliciting funding trough several funding organizations in Europe. To this end ISAP has sent various proposals to funding organizations, facilitated by ISAP partners residing in Europe. This would include, amongst others European Hunting organizations and several large manufacturing and retail organizations.

ISAP has also commenced with our International Volunteer Program with the aim of establishing self-funding initiatives; this program is well under way with the volunteer training facility already being constructed on a private nature reserve adjacent to Erindi Reserve (www.isap.com.na/volunteers/).

Additional self-funding programs are also under development in conjunction with Namibia Breweries Ltd, with whom ISAP has signed a MoU to foster close partnership going forward.

Present project to all stakeholders

ISAP presented this project to leaders of industry, key Government persons and other stakeholders.

Procure required equipment and transportation needs.

This will be dependant on funding outcomes.

Draw up regional list of air assets within farmer communities / areas

Database is currently being established with the assistance of the Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU). ISAP has been at the forefront of developing and presenting a framework for farmer safety and protection, which has been presented to regional farmers unions by ISAP members, through this process a extensive network of contacts has been developed which will greatly assist with the national database, as well as keeping the database current in the future.

Draw up regional list of key GF contact numbers

ISAP is putting the list of key GF contacts together with the assistance of MET and Nampol (Regional Commanders). This again will be kept current with quarterly review meeting with Government authorities, a process which is already underway.

ISAP offices are currently located within the MET head office, which provides easy access to key persons.

Ensure good communication between all parties and understanding specific individual rolls by provide training and coordination between all parties

Already underway through the collaboration of ISAP and the NAU and the presence of ISAP at regional farmers meetings, also our location within the MET head quarters provides good sustainability for communication and coordination.

Provide GF with a set of SOP’s to be used at the time of an incident

This is being developed in collaboration with MET and Nampol and will be distributed through NAU forums and regular meetings between ISAP and Government authorities.

Set up TOC to support all operations, ensuring good planning (mission, deployment, navigation & logistics support)

At this stage ISAP is in discussions with several organizations located at Eros Airport, which may have space availability to accommodate the ISAP TOC.

Set up formalized feed back and debriefing procedures

Already in process through NAU and Government partners.


6. Proposed Project Schedule

Refer attached schedule.


7. Key Personnel

Mr. David Francis

ISAP Title: Head Air Wing
Role: Project leader
Background: Commercial pilot, Captain Airbus A330 Air Namibia

Mr. Tinus Hansen

ISAP Title: Chief Operating Officer
Role: Project Coordinator
Background: Adventure Business owner, Professional hunter

Mr. Fritz Kaufmann

ISAP Title: Chief Executive Officer
Role: Marketing & Communications
Background: Marketing Logistics expert, Business owner, past CEO of International Logistics Organizations

Mr. Willem Bodenstein

ISAP Title: Head Corporate Affairs
Role: Legal advisor
Background: Commercial Lawyer, Entrepreneur

Ms. Yvonne von Holtz

ISAP Title: Chief Financial Officer
Role: Project accountant
Background: Accountant, Tourism business owner

Mr. Tega Shiimi ya Shiimi

ISAP Title: Corporate / Government liaison
Role: Project liaisons
Background: Accounting / investment expert, CEO Sanlam Investment Managers

8. Project Monitoring & Evaluation

From the onset to completion, the project monitoring and evaluation will be conducted by the project team leader (D Francis) and project coordinator (T Hansen), utilizing the attached project schedule, which will include essential date, “stakes in the ground”.

This will be reported to ISAP members and funding partners on a pre arranged periodic bases

9. Future Funding or Sustainability

As this project is not a once off event, rather an ongoing national strategy, this will ensure sustainability through buy in from the various stakeholders. Once the benefits are demonstrated in the actual role out and implementation, further strategies OR Private Public Partnerships will evolve, building on this platform and furthering the attractiveness of this to local and foreign funding partners.

ISAP as part of its daily efforts, continually seeks to attain new funding partners as well as building on current partnerships.

ISAP is a relatively new organization, which has see rapid growth in terms of its Brand value and awareness! Solid partnerships and working relationships have been built over the last three years with the Namibian Government authorities.

ISAP in terms of “sustainable partnerships” have a concluded MoU agreement with Namibia Breweries Ltd, and is currently well advanced in the process of concluding MoU agreements with the Namibia Police and MET.

10. Proposed Budget

Requirements:

  • 1.Fully equipped TOC
  • 2.Fully equipped MS
  • 3.Fully equipped AS
  • 4.Yearly MS & AS operational costs (Fuel / Maintenance)
  • 5.Contribution to ISAP staffing / operational costs (30% rake off from funding amounts) See explanation below…
  • 6.Aviation insurance
  • 7.Hangar and TOC rental fees
  • 8.Drone platform

Total Assets

Current ISAP assets related to project:

1. Piper Super Cub PA-18 V5-LCE
2. FLiR Night vision equipment
3. 2x Ground to air radio sets

Expenses & Funding

(Year 1 “Start up” -Namibian Dollars)

  • a. Flight time funds 200Hrs @ N$ 2500.00/Hr. N$ 500 000.00
  • b. Fuel burn = 35Lt. / Hr. = 7000 Lt Year. N$ 147 000.00
  • c. Office rental (N$ 12 000.00/month) N$ 144 000.00
  • d. Air craft insurance per annum N$ 28 000.00
  • e. 4x4 Vehicles & MS equipment (x2) N$ 1 700 000.00
  • f. Drone platform (Equip / training / Registration)N$1 900 000.00
  • g. Fuel bowser trailer N$ 60 000.00
  • h. Office equipment N$ 80 000.00
  • i. Radios N$ 50 000.00
  • j. Gen. equipment (GPS’s / Binoculars / Sat-phones etc) N$ 86 000.00
  • k. Specialized equipment (Drone + FLiR Gimble) N$ 240 000.00
  • l. TOS Office staff (x1) N$ 150 000.00
  • m.ISAP 30% project rake-off N$ 1 525 500.00

Total: N$ 6 610 500.00

(Year 2 & forward @ 10% increase annually)

  • a.Flight time funds 200Hrs @ N$ 2500.00/Hr. N$ 550 000.00
  • b.Fuel burn = 35Lt. / Hr. = 7000 Lt Year. N$ 161 700.00
  • c.Office rental (N$ 12 000.00/month) N$ 144 000.00
  • d.Air craft insurance per annum N$ 30 000.00
  • e.Office staff / drone operators N$ 680 000.00
  • f.ISAP 30% project rake off N$ 469 710.00

Total:
N$ 2 035 410.00


Other normal monthly and costs will be covered through the 30% rake off, which ISAP adds to funding amount. Essentially this covers the likes of ISAP wages, communications, travel, banking and accounting costs etc.

ISAP is part of the Namibia Anti poaching task Team which received a two year project funding from International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (INL), which was driven through WWF Namibia and

included Save The Rhino Trust, Legal Assistance Centre, Namibia Nature foundation etc. This project funding expired as of Oct’18.

Other long term funding partners are:

Ohlthaver & List Group
Namibia Breweries Ltd
Nedbank Namibia
Africa Online

It must be noted that the above organizations fund a portion of the day to day operational costs and does not form part of project funding as such.