| Terrorism, and Threat Conditions by Mike Lewton The events of September 11, 2001 will live in the minds of Americans forever. This was not the first time America has suffered violence at the hands of terrorist either foreign or domestic. Since the 1960s America and Americans have been the target of terror. These attacks were predominately directed against Americans or American interest outside of the United States, or directed against members of the U.S. armed forces or American military facilities. The events of September 11, 2001 were predictable. The law enforcement, military, and intelligence communities have long been aware of the fanaticism of certain groups and history has shown that these groups will plan their attacks over long periods of time to insure success. Terrorist have used a multitude of disguises and techniques to further their goals. Amazingly enough european and middle eastern terrorist were probably one of the first groups of people to use identity theft and make it an art. The 1985 bombing of the headquarters of Rhine Mein Air Base in Frankfurt Germany, RAF terrorist used the ID card of a service member they murdered the night before to gain entrance to the Air Base. RAF and RZ terrorist frequently manufactured identical cars, license plates and identification papers of American military and business personnel. These were known as Duplets. The attack on General Alexander Haig then commander of NATO was preceded by terrorist working as a road crew and burying a bomb under the roadway in plain sight of motorists. The bomb was then detonated by terrorist as the Generals car drove over it. Terrorist dont attack on a whim or impulse, they are dedicated to accomplish their goal. Like all good soldiers they will plan and take whatever actions necessary to accomplish their basic goal whether it is political, religious, or social. They Create Terror. Terrorism is defined by the FBI as the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. It should be noted that there are several definitions of terrorism and that any definition should be flexible. Terrorist attempt to accomplish their goals by the use of espionage, sabotage, subversion and violence . Their most common tools are; bombing, arson, hijacking, ambush, kidnapping, hostage taking and assassination. Recently we have heard about Terrorist Threat Conditions or THREATCONS. THREATCONS are used by the Department of Defense. to indicate a specific level of threat to DoD or US interests. Ive been told recently that the phrase Force Protection Level is also used. There are four THREATCONS; ALPHA, BRAVO, CHARLIE, and DELTA. ALPHA being the lowest threat and CHARLIE AND DELTA being the greatest. THREATCON ALPHA is declared when there is a general threat of possible terrorist activity against installations and personnel, the nature and extent of which are unpredictable and the circumstances do not justify the full implementation of THREATCON BRAVO. However, it may be necessary to implement selected measures from THREATCON BRAVO as a result of intelligence received or as a deterrent. Measures in THREATCON ALPHA must be capable of being maintained indefinitely. THREATCON BRAVO This condition applies when an increased and more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists. The measures in this THREATCON must be capable of being maintained for weeks without causing undue hardships, without affecting operational capability, and without aggravating relations with local authorities. THREATCON CHARLIE This condition applies when an incident occurs or when intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action against an installation or personnel is imminent. Implementation of this THREATCON for more than a short time will probably create hardship and effect the peacetime activities of a unit or its personnel. THREATCON DELTA This condition applies in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence is received that a terrorist action against a specific location or person is likely. This THREATCON is normally issued as a localized warning. The THREATCON determines what actions each military unit takes to help defend itself and its personnel. Though there are mandatory actions to take, each base or unit determines its own additional actions. THREATCONS are not the same as Defense Conditions or DEFCONS. Threat Assessment Guidelines The following general guidelines provide for uniform implementation of security alert conditions. Assessment factors are defined as follows: Existence. When a terrorist group is present in an area of concern. The group need not have posed a threat to US or DoD interest in the past. Capability. When a terrorist group has the ability to carry out an operation against US interests in areas of concern. This includes resources such as intelligence, mobility, personnel, etc. History. Applies when a groups history of terrorist acts and behavior reflect an anti-US stand or include previous attacks against US interest. Trends. Applies if the group has, over the past year, displayed significant terrorist activity that appears to be continuing or increasing. Activity need not have been violent; i.e., terrorist attack against US or DoD interest could be rhetorical or threatening utterances or statements. This factor could be flexible if it is apparent that the group?s activity cycle is longer, or shorter than 1 year. Targeting. Applies if there are known plans or confirmed intentions of a terrorist group to target US or DoD interest. Targeting can be either specific or nonspecific. If targeting is not against US or DoD interests, this factor should not be considered. Combinations of positive answers to questions of applicability of any or all of the above assessment factors, as defined will produce a threat level of either low, medium, high, or imminent. LOW (THREATCON ALPHA) Factors of existence and capability must be present. MEDIUM (THREATCON BRAVO) Factors of existence and capability must be present; history or trends should also be present. Current targeting will not be present. HIGH (THREATCON CHARLIE) Factors of existence capability, trends and targeting must be present. History may also be present. IMMINENT (THREATCON DELTA) Factors of group existence, capability, immediate/specific targeting, and trends must be present. History is not required but may be present. The assessment of imminent is rare. |