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H. Thomas Hayden
recently concluded over 35 years of service,
which included the Agency for International
Development, the Marine Corps, defense industry
and the Pentagon. His specialties are Intelligence,
Counterinsurgency Operations, Counter-terrorism,
and Joint Concepts Development and Experimentation.
His Marine Corps assignments have included
command of two separate battalions; AC/S G-2,
4th MARDIV & AC/S G-2 FMFEurope; Branch Head,
HQMC, Special Operations and Low Intensity
Conflict (SO/LIC); Special Assistant to the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for SO/LIC;
and, Senior Program Analysts at HQMC with
the Joint Staff and DoD at the Pentagon. Overseas
assignments included Vietnam, Japan & Okinawa,
Europe, Central America, Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait, Somalia, Singapore, Philippines, and
Colombia. He has an MBA (Pepperdine) and an
MA in International Relations (University
of Southern California). He has written two
books and is working on a third.
Thomas
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March 11, 2005
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Anti- and counter-terrorism starts at home with an informed and an aware citizenry.
Anti-terrorism measures are passive or defensive, and are used to reduce the vulnerability of individuals or property to terrorism. Counter-terrorism is active or offensive measures taken to prevent, deter, and/or respond to terrorism.
Few of us have the assignment to conduct counter-terrorism activities. If you are assigned to counter-terrorism and are reading this column, you are wasting your time and should get back to training -- field exercises, classroom learning or reading after-action reports.
The vast majority of us need to be aware of what the signs of terrorist activity are, and prepare for terrorist activities. This is called anti-terrorism awareness.
We hear many news reports of how difficult it is to penetrate terrorist's cells or collect HUMINT (Human Intelligence) on terrorist activities. We hear reports that Al Qaeda is mostly a terrorist sponsorship organization that helps with financing, training, weapons and/or explosives, and direction. However, Osama bin Laden or his chief lieutenants have never led a terrorist mission. Independent and local terrorist activities are planned, prepared and executed more closely to the target -- here at home.
I am reminded of an aware and alert INS agent at the Washington state and Canadian border who stopped a suspicious car and foiled a car bomb attack on Los Angeles International Airport. Also, I am reminded of an alert Maryland State Trooper who made a "routine traffic stop" and found a car bomb headed for New York City. Numerous tips from alert and aware citizenry have led to the arrest of numerous terrorist suspects.
We have to do more to inform the public to be alert and know what to look for.
The Michigan State Police Department has made a six-minute video that is available to the public, which it calls "The Seven Signs of Terrorism." I learned about it on the ubiquitous www.google.com.
Below is my version of "The 10 Signs of Terrorism," with grateful acknowledgement to the contributions of the Michigan State Police.
First of all, you need to know what may be a high value or "soft" target for a terrorist. Usually a terrorist target will need to have high value in terms of number of people killed, or the damage that could be done to critical infrastructure. The terrorists want maximum damage and large numbers of people killed in order to "terrorize." Think of the World Trade Center in NYC, what 9/11/01 did to terrorize the people of NYC, and the economic damage done to the NYC economy. Most likely targets would be large gatherings of people like a pro football game, nuclear power plants, popular public events, etc.
Second, you need to know that there are five elements of a terrorist cell: leadership, reconnaissance or surveillance, logistics, support and screening, and attack or direct action. Additionally, there are 10 Signs of Terrorism -- if you are ever lucky to see one.
- Leadership: Leadership is the most difficult sign to spot. Most terrorist cell leaders are well trained and are most likely inserted into a target long in advance of the rest of the terrorist cell, or he or she may be part of a "sleeper cell." You may overhear a conversation or you may just know that someone does not belong in your neighborhood or business area.
- Reconnaissance/surveillance: Once a target is identified, the reconnaissance cell will scout out the target and may use cameras, maps or diagrams, etc., to help get the layout of the target.
- Elicitation: A reconnaissance cell member may go around asking questions about security at a given location or ask about first responders. If a stranger ever asks you about the security of an area or asks about police and fire/rescue -- be suspicious.
- Planning: After the recon cell has completed their work, a lot of planning is necessary which may take years. It was reported that the 9/11 terrorist started planning after the 1993 bombing did not bring down the WTC tower. The Al Qaeda terrorist who hijacked the airplanes and flew them into the WTC had been planning and training for years.
- Logistics: It takes lots of support in the form of false documents (but you can get a driver's licenses in some states just for the asking), explosives, and extra food for a number of people.
- Rehearsal/test: Most military operations go through a rehearsal before the actual operation. Accordingly, the terrorist will rehearse or test their plan. They may try to walk into a high security area. This may seem innocent enough, but be suspicious.
- Deploying assets: The terrorist must take time to deploy all the different cells and each cell probably does not know the other except the leader. Putting these people in place may arouse your suspicions. Men coming and going from a house or apartment at all hours. Blinds always closed and the occupants do not talk to anyone.
- Decoys/diversions: Before a major attack there may be a decoy or a diversion to draw the first responders away from the target OR the "diversion" may be for the purpose of drawing a crowd. Do not be a "rubber necker" at a serious incident at a big event like the Olympics or a major sports event. Leave the area and make room for emergency personnel.
- Direct action/attack: Osama bin Laden has promised that they will obtain weapons of mass destruction and they will use them against the US. Be prepared for a major terrorist incident like you would for a natural disaster. (See my column in archives on January 28, 2005: Dirty Bomb: Where, Not When; dated January 28, 2005.)
- Dispersal/escape and evasion: After a major terrorist incident the perpetrators will be making a hasty retreat. Police will need to know if someone is all of a sudden moving out of an area. Get the license plates and as much info as you can.
Suspicious people performing any of the above preliminary activities need to be reported to local law enforcement authorities. People who do not belong in your area or your environment need to be reported to the local police.
TAKE NO INDEPENDENT ACTION.
There are plenty of fully trained law enforcement officers who can respond to the public concerns of suspicious activity.
Who knows, you may be the one who stops a terrorist act or helps capture wanted criminals. Be aware and be an alert citizen.
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© 2005 H. Thomas Hayden. All opinions
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