Programming consisted of Afghan and Arabic music
interspersed with appeals for information about terrorist activities, in Arabic,
Dari, English, Pashto and Urdu. After one such appeal relating to Iraqi oil
terminals, there was the following announcement in English: "Thank you for
listening to Coalition Maritime Forces Radio One. We broadcast ... [words
indistinct] terrorist mariners around the world. Call in to CMF Radio One any
time on 6125 kiloHertz SW [shortwave], 9133 kiloHertz SW, or 15500 kiloHertz
SW." The announcement continued with contact details, which were as given on the
associated "Rewards for Justice" web site at http://www.rewardsfor justice.net
Although not heard on this occasion, the radio is also
believed to broadcast in Hindi and Persian, and sometimes identifies as
"Information Radio".
CMF Radio One is operated by the US Navy Maritime Liaison
Office (MARLO) headquartered in Bahrain, with the purpose of encouraging
listeners to report terrorist activity. It has been on the air since April 2004,
using low-powered shortwave transmitters installed on ships operating in the
Persian Gulf.
According to a statement on the MARLO web site, their
mission is to facilitate the exchange of information between the United States
Navy and the commercial shipping community in the US Central Command's area of
responsibility. MARLO operates as a conduit for information focused on safety of
shipping and is committed to assisting the commercial shipping community. The
web site is at
http://www.me.navy.mil/marlo
Coalition Maritime Forces Radio - Radio One is still
active, airing programs aimed at
sailors playing the waters of the middle
east. The broadcasts are in several languages and
consist of news, music and
other entertainment and also include
requests for
information about any suspicious people or activities that
might be noticed as ships and
sailors go about their business. The station
is on the air on 6.125 from 0300-0800 and
15.500 1400-1900 and is an
operation of the United States Navy.