tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post160306117534972212..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Terror Plot ThwartedGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-82263431642981751282007-05-09T23:20:00.000-04:002007-05-09T23:20:00.000-04:00I've linked to you here: http://consul-at-arms.bl...I've linked to you here: http://consul-at-arms.blogspot.com/2007/05/re-terror-plot-thwarted.htmlConsul-At-Armshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-36690002069899841492007-05-09T18:40:00.000-04:002007-05-09T18:40:00.000-04:00Dim--it's probably a case of political correctness...Dim--it's probably a case of political correctness (again). Describing them as Kosovars would lead (inevitably) to the "M" word, which has become verboten in the MSM. <BR/><BR/>Ironically, calling these men Yugoslavs is an insult, In Kosovo, "Yugoslav" is the equivalent of "Serb" and the former government in Belgrade, which they genuinely hate. <BR/><BR/>The only other possibility I can think of is that these men described themselves as Yugoslavs (a term virtually no one has used since Tito's death), in an effort to hide their Albanaina roots. It may also reflect their immigration papers; in the late 1990s, the disintegrating state was known as the Former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), and that name may have been listed on their green cards and (now) court documents. And the press, of course, doesn't know the difference.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-52248668641311549632007-05-09T12:54:00.000-04:002007-05-09T12:54:00.000-04:00Spook, as you point out in your piece the "M" word...Spook, as you point out in your piece the "M" word is not used in relation to the suspects. <BR/>In additon, the "yugoslavian" descriptor is used instead of "Kosovars" or "Kosovo Albanians". <BR/>Why do you suppose that is?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16146616587250129119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-89280451819543248222007-05-09T10:16:00.000-04:002007-05-09T10:16:00.000-04:00Storms--Not sure how they'll handle the ID issue i...Storms--Not sure how they'll handle the ID issue in light of the Ft Dix plot. Before that, it was likely that delivery drivers would still be allowed on base, as long as they presented some valid form of ID (driver's license), and could prove they had business on the base (same procedure used for FedEx drivers and trucks delivering cargo to the installation). <BR/><BR/>The problem--obviously--is that these drivers can do a little sight-seeing (or surveillance) between the gate and their destination. And, in my experience, security forces/MPs don't have enough manpower to follow-up on the delivery drivers and ensure that they go to the right location, conduct their business, and leave the base in a timely manner. <BR/><BR/>As I said in another reply, the silver lining in the Ft Dix incident is that it will prompt us to re-examine base security procedures. Keeping fast food delivery drivers off base will inconvenience some folks, but it will enhance security, IMO.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-28844470005079704942007-05-09T10:09:00.000-04:002007-05-09T10:09:00.000-04:00Consul--there are always exceptions to the rule, i...Consul--there are always exceptions to the rule, including the one you cite. However, in light of the thwarted Ft Dix plot, I still believe it's a prudent idea to ban deliver drivers who don't have a valid military/dependent ID. <BR/><BR/>Additionally, I'm against the "new" policy of getting rid of the DoD/base decals for vehicles. the AF figures it will save $70K a year in printing costs, since everyone's ID is now checked as they enter the gate. Unfortunately, the ID check is often cursory, and without the decal, terrorist are only a phony "CAC card" away from entering a base. Compounding this problem is out shortage of MPs/security forces personnel. The AF base I routinely visit uses a lot of augmentees for security (kids from the dental clinic, or even maintenance squadrons). Needless to say, they're not fully trained for security duties, and I don't have a lot of confidence in those civilian security guards, either. <BR/><BR/>There are a couple of silver linings in the Ft Dix plot. First, the prospective jihadists weren't very smart (or very good shots, either). Secondly, this may prompt the military to reconsider existing base security measures.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-15342126008518178312007-05-09T09:55:00.000-04:002007-05-09T09:55:00.000-04:00"Effective March 15, Air Force personnel no longer..."Effective March 15, Air Force personnel no longer have to register privately owned vehicles on base. According to Air Force officials, the expense and administrative burden are not justified by the benefits. In Fiscal Year 2004 and 2005, the Air Force spent approximately $364,000 and $738,000 respectively to print DD Form 2220s (vehicle decals). <BR/><BR/>Many Air Force installations began eliminating registration requirment two years ago. Hill AFB, Utah was the first, eliminating the requirement for decals in June 2006. AF senior leadership states that after Sept. 11, 2001, security at all Department of Defense installations require 100 percent ID card checks of drivers at the installation gates. The use of vehicle decals is redundant since ID card checks are arguably more effective verifying the authority of a driver to enter the base. Vehicle decals are a force protection vulnerability. They are easily counterfeited, moved from one car to another or found in used car parking lots."(Original article appeared in the Air Force Times<BR/><BR/>Since most installations have 100% ID checks in place, I wonder how these pizza delivery folks were planning on getting on the base?Storms24https://www.blogger.com/profile/14360242925876169578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-49702190392826948472007-05-08T23:09:00.000-04:002007-05-08T23:09:00.000-04:00"And, since virtually everyone on the post has a v..."And, since virtually everyone on the post has a vehicle, there's really no reason that someone can't make a five-minute trip to pick-up the food."<BR/><BR/>As someone who spent two months undergoing pre-deployment training at Ft Dix before OIF, I would note that base's primary operational function nowadays is as a mobilization site for guard and reserve units.<BR/><BR/>Personnel in such units will generally not have private autos and, at least as recently as 2004, were forbidden from leaving post (in search of fast food or anything else).Consul-At-Armshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-46667000285039448762007-05-08T13:40:00.001-04:002007-05-08T13:40:00.001-04:00Ned--That's a bit surprising (and reassuring). Un...Ned--That's a bit surprising (and reassuring). Unfortunately, I've been on lots of bases (mostly AF), where the pizza guys are routinely waved through the gate. And, based on what we're seeing in FBI documents (so far), it looks like at least one of the suspects was using his base access to conduct surveillance. <BR/><BR/>I think the procedure you endured at that ANG base 20 years ago will now become SOP in DoD.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-17794763970451863952007-05-08T13:40:00.000-04:002007-05-08T13:40:00.000-04:00When I was in the Navy during the early 90s, the D...When I was in the Navy during the early 90s, the Domino's car made deliveries to the quarterdeck of ships in port.<BR/><BR/>Given that this was at Naval Weapons Station Earle (Leonardo, NJ), and the ships in question were tied up at an ammunition pier... (Ammunition pier -- a couple miles long. It's like a five-minute shuttle bus ride just to get to the shore.)<BR/><BR/>Now, granted, I had no idea how thoroughly the Marines at the foot of the pier checked out the car before allowing it to drive on out to us, but I do know that when I called for a pizza, I didn't have to leave the ship to get it.<BR/><BR/>Which makes me feel sorry for the poor SOBs who are pulling charge-of-quarters or officer of the day. They *can't* go off-base to pick up their pizza, even if its only 5 minutes away. Back to brown-baggin' it, I guess.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984240582304365238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-27313445158271202192007-05-08T13:27:00.000-04:002007-05-08T13:27:00.000-04:00Gee, back when I delivered pizza & wings to the lo...Gee, back when I delivered pizza & wings to the local ANG base in the mid-80s, I never got any further than the guardhouse. I'd sit there and wait for whoever ordered to find their way to the gate and pay. Used to wait a long time, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com