DSI says attack on jet fuel tank a 'terrorist act'

Published: 23/04/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section:Bangkok post

The Department of Special Investigation is treating Wednesday's grenade attack on a jet fuel tank as a special case because it constitutes an act of terrorism.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said yesterday a committee led by his department deemed the attack on the tank in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district as a special case because it created a climate of fear and affected national security. It was thus an act of terrorism.

A grenade was fired at the jet fuel tank owned by Thai Petroleum Pipeline Co (Thappline) at 1.15am, causing a fire on the side of the tank. The grenade caused a 4cm hole in the tank, but the fuel failed to ignite because of protective double layering.

There were 9 million litres in the tank at the time of the attack. The tank has a capacity of 22 million litres.

The DSI chief described the attack and last week's bombings at three high voltage electricity pylons in Ayuthaya's Bang Pa-in district as acts of terrorism.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said yesterday the latest attack was linked to other cases of sabotage in Bangkok and nearby provinces.

Provincial Police Region 1 chief Krissada Pankhongchuen yesterday led a team of police and scientists to inspect the affected oil tank which supplies fuel to Suvarnabhumi airport.

A piece of the rocket-propelled grenade fired at the tank was found nearby.

Police believed the assailants fired the RPG from a frontage road that runs parallel to the nearby motorway rather than from the motorway itself.

An engineer at PTT, the largest shareholder in Thappline, said workers yesterday began transferring fuel from the tank so police could examine it. Repairs to the tank would take several days, the engineer said.

In Ayutthaya, security measures will be stepped up at oil and power facilities. Ayutthaya governor Witthaya Piewpong said he would today invite representatives from four oil depots and three power plants in the province to discuss tightening security measures at their facilities.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra admitted the city administration was unable to protect oil depots in Bangkok from attack due to manpower constraints.

Klong Toey district chief Bundit Vinitchaikul said security measures had been increased in the district as there were major oil depots in the area, particularly those of Shell and PTT.

Bomb terror grips Silom

- Four grenades hit business district - 3 people killed, up to 75 injured

Published: 23/04/2010 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: Bangkok post

Silom was turned into a war zone Thursday night after four grenades were fired into the area where anti-red shirt protesters had converged, killing three people and injuring 75 people.

Foreigners were among those hurt.

As the protesters waved national flags to show their opposition to the red shirts and a House dissolution by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, three grenades fired from M79 launchers exploded near 'the skytrain station at 8pm. One came down through the roof of the BTS Sala Daeng station. About 45 minutes later, another grenade landed near the Dusit Thani Hotel on Silom Road.

People then fled for their lives.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thauguban said late last night three people had been killed and 75 people injured, including many serious cases. The injured were sent to Bangkok Christian, BNH, Chulalongkorn and Lerdsin hospitals.

Only one of the three dead was identified, Tanyanan Taebthong. She was 26 years old.

The area near Sala Daeng intersection and the Sala Daeng BTS station had become a protest hotspot over the past few days, as more people living and working there turned up to vent their frustration at the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), which had set up barricades on the other side of the intersection.

US Travel Alert

Travel Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

April 22, 2010

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand of ongoing demonstrations in Bangkok. Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, all U.S. citizens should avoid nonessential travel to Bangkok. Those traveling outside of Bangkok in Thailand should be aware of the possibility of disturbances elsewhere and should exercise caution and good judgment. This replaces the Travel Alert dated April 12, 2010, to update information on security concerns. This Travel Alert will expire on July 22, 2010.

Three Bombs Blast in Yangon

16 April 2010
MRTV-3

Insurgents blasted a series of 3 bombs in front of the X2O Water Pandal on the ring bound of Kandawgyi Lake in Yangon on Thursday. The blasts occurred at about 3 pm, killing 8, and injuring 170 civilians. The injured were immediately sent to the Yangon General Hospital. The bombs were detonated among the crowd celebrating the Myanmar Thingyan Water Festival.

The authorities are investigation the parties responsible for the blasts, and vow to expose the insurgents. Authorities warn the public taking part in the water festival throughout Myanmar including Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay, to be on high alert. And immediately inform relevant authorities if they observe suspicious activities, via telephone or any other means. There is an air of shock and anger at the insurgents responsible, for the death of innocent people, during this time of celebration.

Why Safety and Security is Important Today?

No Safety, No Security = No Business

Aviation Security News - 5th APRIL 2010

On Wednesday (30/03), the European Commission published it’s thirteenth update of the list of airlines banned from operating in the European Union, to include all air carriers of two additional countries: Sudan and the Philippines, on the basis of safety assessments by ICAO. The operations of Iran Air will be restricted, and all carriers from 17 countries are banned: Angola, Benin, DRC, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia, Kazakhstan (with the exception of one carrier which operates under restrictions and conditions), the Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Philippines, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Swaziland and Zambia. 10 carriers are allowed to operate under restrictions and conditions - Air Koryo from the Democratic People Republic of Korea, TAAG Angola Airlines, Air Astana from Kazakhstan, Iran Air from Iran Gabon Airlines, Afrijet and SN2AG from Gabon, Air Bangladesh, Air Service Comores and Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines from Ukraine.

Airline operators want better airport security

By Okechukwu Nnodim

April 2, 2010 04:27AM

Next News

Airline operators in the country, yesterday, described the incident, in which a taxi driver crashed into an aeroplane, as an “act of terrorism” and called on the federal government to improve security at all airports in the country.

On Wednesday, 95 passengers onboard an Arik Air Boeing 737 700 aircraft at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, were left scrambling for their lives after the driver of a registered taxi cab intentionally crashed his car into their aircraft.

The operators, under their umbrella union, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), disclosed that Wednesday’s security breach should not be taken lightly as is being reported by the aviation security personnel at the airport.

“To imagine that a driver who does not work at an airport penetrates up to the point of hitting a plane that is about to takeoff is highly unbelievable and indicates a serious security breach at that airport,” said Mohammed Tukur, assistant secretary general AON, during a briefing at the presidential wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

Calling on the government and other security agencies to assist aviation security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to get to the root of the situation, Mr. Tukur said the incident is “dangerous” to the growth of airlines.

“We want the federal government and relevant security outfits to investigate this matter beyond what they (aviation security) are saying that the driver is a madman,” he said.

“We keep complaining that the airports authority is not serious about safety and security of lives and this was displayed yesterday at Calabar international airport.”

Akin Olukuknle, general manager public affairs FAAN, disclosed that the driver of the cab was on top speed and could not be stopped by security operatives at the airport.

“The guy was on top speed and he slammed into the first and second barriers guarded by airforce men at the airport,” he said.

Additional security

Meanwhile, the airline operators requested an increase in security across airports in the country, adding that Calabar incident was targeted at an expensive aircraft owned by only a few carriers in the country.

“If the government needs to provide additional security personnel at the airport, then so be it, for it is very important at this time,” said Tukur.

“The Boeing 737 700 aircraft in question which is being parked right now because of the damages done it by that taxi can buy ten passenger MD 83 planes.”

U.S. Implements New Airline Security Measures

April 2, 2010 | 7:07 AM ET
FOX News

A Senior Administration Official tells Fox that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Friday will announce changes to current aviation security procedures. In the wake of the attempted Christmas day airline bombing, DHS will add a new layer of measures that utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence and will apply to all flights entering the United States.

The enhanced measures will apply to all passengers traveling by air to the United States. "To more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats, these measures utilize multiple, random layers of security," said a Senior Administration Official. "Both seen and unseen and are tailored to intelligence about potential threats."

Additional screening will be conducted on passengers traveling into the U.S. if they match "current, intelligence-driven and threat-based characteristics."

The White House says that individuals flying from international destinations may notice enhanced security and screening measures throughout the passenger check-in and boarding process, including the use of explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams, or pat downs, among other security measures.

Air carriers and foreign countries were notified of the changes on Thursday, with the new measures being implemented Friday.

The security changes are the result of the President's review of intelligence surrounding the December 25, 2009 incident.

Weekly News (22 Mar 2010- 29 Mar 2010)

CHILE

On Tuesday (23/03), an IED functioned outside the headquarters of LAN Airlines, the Chilean national carrier, in Santiago. The device, said to comprise a bottle filled with hydrochloric acid and coins, resulted in minor damage to the building. Authorities suspect the attack, and another against a bank in the city, are related to the upcoming anniversary, commonly known as the Day of the Young Combatant, of the death of two brothers killed by police in 1985 while protesting the dictatorship of General Pinochet.


GAMBIA

On Monday (22/03), it was reported that the head of security at Banjul Airport (BJL) is reported to have left the country after he was arrested and questioned by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in connection with an investigation into drug trafficking involving the Inspector General of Police, who was recently sacked after being arrested for offences relating to espionage and drugs smuggling at BJL.


INDIA

On Friday (26/03), it was reported that three former Kingfisher Airlines employees were arrested in connection with the discovery of an IED in the hold of a Kingfisher ATR72 on March 21st at Bangalore Airport (BLR). The three were detained by immigration officials at BLR as they were about to board a flight to Dubai (DXB) with an onward connection to Kabul (KBL). The three ground staff members recently resigned from the carrier. One of those arrested had previously been a member of the CISF. (See the original report in ASN 220310).


On Saturday (27/03), the CISF launched an investigation after two separate breaches of security in the restricted area of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL). A 65-year-old man scaled the perimeter fence close to an emergency access point. He was detained by the CISF and was later handed over to Police. He later claimed that he wanted to get to Saudi Arabia. In the second incident, a 28 year-old male was arrested after he climbed a tree and jumped over the perimeter fence close to a maintenance area. He reached the apron where he attempted to board an Air India aircraft before being detained by security officers.


ISRAEL

On Wednesday (24/03), following the decision of the British Government to expel the head of Mossad’s London station, it was claimed that an investigation by the UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) into the use of cloned British passports in the assassination in Dubai of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, concluded that the documents must have been cloned with the assistance of control agency staff at Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) or at Israeli airline offices in other countries.


KUWAIT

On Friday (26/03), a baggage handler at Kuwait Airport (KWI) was arrested in connection with the theft of a briefcase containing a quantity of cash from a passenger in the departures area. The loader was attempting to leave the airport in possession of the stolen money when he was stopped by security officers.


UNITED KINGDOM

On Wednesday (24/03), a man who wanted Police at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to shoot him in a "death-by-cop suicide" was sent to prison for three years for possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. The court heard that David Sheehan boarded a bus to the airport in July, telling passengers: "Don't go to Gatwick as people are going to get shot." He got off the bus and made his way to a shop where he pointed a replica pistol at a member of staff and said: "Where are the police, I'm ready to die." Officers arrived and when he appeared to reach for his replica gun again, he was shot with a Taser.


On Wednesday (24/03), a committee of MP’s condemned airport security chiefs for failing to keep ahead of terrorists, and said 'overseas weak points' in airport security posed a serious risk to the United Kingdom. The all-party Home Affairs Select Committee said that airport operators had been reluctant to aggressively adopt new measures. The Committee said the Government's approach was "wholly reactive" and involved "waiting for terrorists to demonstrate their new capabilities before implementing improved security measures." They criticised delays in introducing new security technology and supported the introduction of body imaging, saying that privacy concerns "are overstated" and "should not prevent the deployment of scanners". The committee also recommended that airport scanners should be camouflaged to prevent the identification of the equipment used. Go to the Resources page for the full report.


UNITED STATES

On Tuesday (23/03), the terminal at Yuma Airport (YUM) was evacuated after an anonymous caller claimed that there were four explosive devices in the building. An EOD unit from nearby Marine Corps Air Station Yuma was called. The area was searched by Police using explosives detections dogs, but nothing unusual was found. The airport was closed for almost two hours.


On Wednesday (24/03), Retired Major General Robert Harding said he wants to shift airport passenger screening closer to the Israeli model to include more behaviour detection in a bid to thwart terrorist plots. Harding, who was nominated as a possible head of the TSA, said that while the Israeli security system was smaller, it offered a blueprint for trying to thwart terrorism plots in the aviation system. He told the Senate Commerce Committee "We should move even closer to an Israeli model where there's more engagement with passengers, I think that increases the layers and pushes the layers out." He said the TSA had about 2,000 behavioral detection officers and that expanded training was needed. Harding later withdrew from consideration for the TSA post after senators questioned his business and personal dealings as a military contractor.


TSA Weekly Stats (15th - 21st March, 2010)

5 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints

28 firearms found at checkpoints

2 pax arrested due to suspicious behaviour or fraudulent travel documents

Man dies after stabbing at MB International Airport

Posted: Mar 19, 2010 9:41 PM MST
Updated: Mar 20, 2010 6:00 AM MST 
By: News .com 

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Police in Horry County say one man is dead following a stabbing at the Myrtle Beach International Airport late Friday morning.
Sgt. Robert Kegler, spokesman for the Horry County Police Department, said authorities were alerted of an unauthorized person on the airfield at the Myrtle Beach International Airport at 10:45 a.m.
Police were dispatched to the airport after a maintenance worker found the unidentified man in a restricted section of the airport. As authorities responded to the scene, that's when Kegler said the man began stabbing himself.
"In the process, the man pulled out a knife and began to stab himself repeatedly," said Kegler. "As a result of that stabbing, the male suspect has now been pronounced dead at Grand Strand Hospital."
The 49-year-old was transported to the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center and died of his injuries at 11:05 a.m.
Airport officials say the man was not a passenger on a flight and have not commented on any association with Myrtle Beach International.

In the hours following the incident, Transportation Security Administration spokesman Jon Allen revealed federal officials are reviewing the circumstances of Friday morning to determine how the 49-year-old accessed a remote portion of the airfield.
"We want to recognize the quick actions of the airport employee who identified his presence and the rapid response by law enforcement," Allen added.
Lauren Morris, spokeswoman for the Myrtle Beach International Airport, said the situation has not impacted incoming or outgoing flights.
 

Pakistani court charges 5 Americans with terrorism

BY Stephanie Gaskell
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, March 17th 2010, 9:57 AM

Five Americans face life in a Pakistani jail after officials there charged them with plotting terror attacks.
A Pakistani court charged the five men from Virginia on Wednesday with attempting to join al Qaeda-linked groups to carry out attacks in Pakistan.
Officials said they believe the group was also planning to go to Afghanistan to fight against U.S. and NATO troops.
The men, all Muslims ranging from 18 to 25 years old, deny the charges, claiming they were planning to work with charity groups in Afghanistan.
"The charges were read out by the judge. The judge asked if they accept the charges. All the accused unanimously rejected them. They said 'We totally deny the charges," said their lawyer, Hasan Dastagir.
He called the charges "lies" and said the men believe they are being framed by Pakistan and the United States.
The men, whose names have not been released, are from Pakistan, Egypt, Yemen and Eritrea, officials said.
They were arrested in December in Sardogha in Punjab province.
Their families had reported them missing in November after one of the men left behind a farewell video, saying Muslims must be defended.
Local police said they intercepted e-mails showing the group had contacted Pakistani militants who wanted to use them in attacks.
They also said the men had raised money for the cause. A hearing is scheduled for March 31.

Security tightened at transport hubs

Published: 10/03/2010 at 03:04 PM
By: Bangkok Post

The Transport Ministry has taken steps to ensure that travellers can use bus terminals and airports across the country normally during the mass anti-government rally in Bangkok this weekend, transport permanent secretary Supoth Sublom said on Wednesday.

He said Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum had issued orders to ensure the  operations of major transport hubs, especially Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, would not be disrupted by the red-shirt protesters.

"There are four or five measures [in place] and alternative routes have been prepared if the main routes are obstructed," Mr Supoth said.

The transport minister had also assigned security officers to guard state property and ensure people's safety.

Public buses had been told to change their usual routes to avoid the protesters, as they may damage the buses, the permanent secretary said.

Transport Department teams will oversee the orderliness of various roads in the capital, he added.

Stolen weapons not connected to reds

ARMY INVESTIGATION FINDS SOLDIERS TOOK ARMS TO SELL TO SOUTHERN INSURGENTS

Published: 21/03/2010 at 12:00 AM

By: Bangkok Post

Weapons which disappeared from an arms depot in Phatthalung were stolen by soldiers who hoped to sell them to insurgents in the southernmost provinces, the army says.

The theft has nothing to do with the red shirt rally as earlier thought, according to a 4th Army investigation.
Disclosing the result of the inquiry yesterday, 4th Army commander Pichet Wisaijorn said the arms had been recovered and taken back to barracks.
The theft occurred at Fort Aphai Borirak, home of the 401 Engineers Battalion in Phatthalung province, on March 2.
Thieves stole weapons and ammunition from the depot.
They included about 2,000 rounds from M16 and HK rifles, about 1,000 rounds for an 11mm pistol, and about 20 anti-personnel M26 and M67 grenades.
The 4th Army set up a panel to investigate the theft, as troops were worried the weapons could be used to harm internal security.
Lt Gen Pichet said a group of 10 privates at the military unit who were on guard duty that night was involved in the theft.
The soldiers are natives of Pattani, one of the strife-torn provinces in the far South.
Officers who are Pattani natives, and based at Fort Ingkhayutborihan in Pattani, were invited to take part in the investigation.
The 10 soldiers admitted stealing the weapons, said Lt Gen Pichet.
They separated the arms in three parts - one cache was buried in Fort Aphai Borirak, another hidden at Mayo district in Pattani, and a third hidden at Tak Bai district in Narathiwat.
Lt Gen Pichet said the privates told the investigation that they needed money and made contact with insurgent groups in Pattani which wanted arms to instigate violence in the southern-border areas.
The 4th Army chief, who oversees security in the southern provinces, said the investigation also found that the 10 privates had taken part in insurgent networks.
Authorities were extending their investigation to find out which insurgent groups they joined.
The 10 privates are now in detention pending legal action, said Lt Gen Pichet.
Earlier, inquiries focused on the red shirt group which is rallying against the government in Bangkok.
The government thought the arms might have been transported to Bangkok for acts of sabotage during the red rallies underway this week.

Weekly News (8 Mar 2010- 15 Mar 2010)

AUSTRALIA

On Saturday (13/02), it was reported that a trade union representing staff at Brisbane Airport (BNE) has expressed concern over the security of crew meals and poor screening of personal property being taken airside by airport staff'. The union say that staff at Qantas Flight Catering claim that meals intended for flight crew are clearly identifiable, and are vulnerable to malicious interference. The union also claimed that baggage handling staff and their property are not properly screened. The claims were supported by a local paper which claimed that staff at at Virgin Blue's domestic terminal at BNE were seen to walk from the terminal into a secure area with access to the tarmac, without having their bags checked.


BELGIUM

On Sunday (14/03), an anonymous caller claimed that there was a bomb on board a Ryanair B737 preparing to depart Charleroi Airport (CRL) for Fez (FEZ) in Morocco. The aircraft was searched by security forces, but nothing unusual was found.


INDIA

On Monday (08/03), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) announced that it is increasing security in landside areas at Delhi Airport (DEL), after intelligence indicated that terrorists have considered an attack on the airport entrances and crowded check-in areas. Security is also being enhanced at Mumbai (BOM). The CISF is currently carrying out assessments on similar areas of Kolkata (CCU), Hyderabad (HYD) and Bangalore (BLR), and intends to expand the programme to the country’s 57 large airports.


On Wednesday (10/03), it was reported that India’s sky marshals have threatened to stop flying on Air India and Jet Airways flights, operating between Mumbai (BOM) and Kathmandu (KTM), after colleagues made a number of complaints of insufficient food and lodging arrangements on missions. In response, the Civil Aviation Ministry has written to all carriers operating in the region, asking that they treat sky marshals on a par with cabin crew. In response to an increased threat of hijacking, the Indian Government deployed sky marshals on flights to neighbouring states.


On Friday (12/03), an anonymous caller claimed that there was a bomb on board an Indigo Airlines A320 operating between Delhi (DEL) and Bangalore (BLR). The aircraft was searched by the CISF, and all pax and baggage were reverse screened. Nothing unusual was found. One uncorroborated report claimed that the hoax call was traced to a mobile phone. The caller had demanded to talk to a named member of staff, and made the bomb threat when his request was refused.


NETHERLANDS

On Tuesday (09/03), the National Anti-terror Coordinator announced that security procedures at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport (AMS) had been tightened in response to a report in ASN last week that a group of reporters refilled bottles bought at a duty free store, resealed them and smuggled them back into the store where they had bought them. The Coordinator said that there would be tighter checks on bottles bought in duty free outlets. AMS was targeted because the screening of passengers and cabin baggage is conducted at the boarding gate rather than prior to entering the departure lounge where the duty-free shops are located. A spokesperson for AMS said the airport was aware of the possible weak link in its security before it was exposed on national television, but it was judged to be an acceptable level of risk.


UNITED KINGDOM

On Tuesday (09/03), a man and woman were arrested in connection with two laser attacks on a helicopter operated by Bedfordshire Police. The aircraft was responding to a call in Luton when a laser was pointed at it on two occasions in the same area. The two suspects were arrested for the new offence of ‘shining a light at an aircraft in flight so as to dazzle or distract’. Both were released on bail.


On Thursday (11/03), a Bangladeshi born British Airways IT engineer appeared in court in London charged with a series of terrorist offences. Rajib Karim faces two charges of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts and one charge of fundraising for the purposes of terrorism. He was remanded in custody. The three charges span a four-year period, from 13 April 2006 to 25 February this year, and relate to offences inside and outside of the UK. The court heard that the man had offered to take advantage of planned strikes by BA staff to join the airline's cabin crew.


UNITED STATES

On Wednesday (10/03), a former TSA employee appeared in a Colorado court, charged with trying to damage computer systems there after he lost his job. The prosecution claim that Douglas James Duchak, 46, tried to infect a computer at the TSA's Colorado Springs Operations Center with malicious code. The code, a logic bomb installed last October, was designed to cause damage and disrupt data on servers on an undisclosed date but was discovered before it caused any damage. He entered a not-guilty plea. The operations centre handles information from a terrorist screening database.


On Thursday (11/03), it was reported that in the three months since the arrest of Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmuttalab, the US ‘no-fly’ list has nearly doubled — from about 3,400 people to about 6,000 people. The report stated that the list expanded, in part, to add people associated with AQ in Yemen and Nigeria.


TSA Weekly Stats (1st - 7th March, 2010)

4 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints

19 firearms found at checkpoints

13 pax arrested due to suspicious behaviour or fraudulent travel documents

Weekly News (1 Mar 2010-8 Mar 2010)

AUSTRALIA

On Saturday (06/03), it was reported that the Australian Airports Association (AAA) has condemned the government’s regulation of the aviation security identification card system. The organisation, which represents the nation’s airport operators, said that nothing of significance had been done to improve the Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) system, despite Sir John Wheelers recommendations in 2005. A reported 10% of the 33,644 people issued with ASICs have been criminal records, whilst only 148 applicants have failed to qualify for cards. AAA claims that there is no system in place to update information from criminal records, and absurdly relies on card holders volunteering information on any convictions received subsequent to the issue of their ASIC.


ISRAEL

On Tuesday (02/03), the Israeli and US Governments announced a new agreement which will enhance information sharing about aviation security incidents. The MOU recognizes the need for cooperation between the Ministry of Transport and the TSA to manage aviation-related security incidents—establishing designated points of contact for each agency; protocols for notification in the event of an incident; mechanisms to enhance communication; and regular exercises.


KUWAIT

On Tuesday (02/03), it was reported that an American man has claimed responsibility for a serious of hoax bomb calls including a call that resulted in a security alert at Kuwait Airport (KWI) on February 19th. The man, who calls himself Orlando Turner told a Kuwaiti newspaper that he would continue the hoax calls, until Kuwaiti authorities settled the ongoing custody battle over his eleven-month-old daughter with his former wife. The report claimed that the Kuwaiti Police have passed the information to the FBI.


MEXICO

On Tuesday (02/03), it was reported a Police investigation into human smuggling resulted in the arrest of ten Immigration Officers at Cancun Airport (CUN). A Federal Police spokesman said that the immigration officers, along with the two members of Mexicana Airlines staff and an employee of Italian carrier Livingston Air, allegedly facilitated the entry of Chinese nationals into Mexico using false travel documents. The arrests were part of an investigation into corruption at CUN that resulted in the detention of 26 other immigration officers in January.


NETHERLANDS

On Tuesday (02/03), the first officer of a Corendon B737 preparing to depart Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS) for Ankara (ANK) was arrested for possession of false documents. It is alleged that the Swedish national has been flying without a commercial pilots licence for 13 years. The Dutch Inspection of Traffic and Water was informed by Swedish authorities that the pilot was operating in the Netherlands and was using a false Airline Transport Pilot License, which is required for pilots of passenger aircraft. Corendon was briefed in advance and was able to arrange a replacement pilot. The pilot allegedly said he was relieved to have been caught, and that he had flown for more than 13 years with a number of carriers in Belgium, the UK and Italy.


On Sunday (07/03), a Dutch reporter claimed to have transported up to 6 litres of liquid on commercial flights from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS). In a TV broadcast, the reporter demonstrated how he and two associates smuggled bottles of water from AMS to London Heathrow (LHR) then interlining onto Washington Dulles Airport (IAD). The group carried six Bacardi Rum bottles that were bought a week earlier at the duty-free shop, taken home, emptied and refilled with water. The day of the flight to LHR, the three posed as if they were buying the bottles at the landside duty free shop. The cashier sealed the bottles in bags, marked them with their ticket and flight date, and returned them to the pax. At Heathrow, the group transferred to United Airlines 925. Screening staff at AMS and LHR allowed the bottles through.


UNITED KINGDOM

On Tuesday (02/03), an American Airlines B763, operating between Dallas (DFW) and London Heathrow (LHR) contacted Shanwick air traffic control and declared an in-flight emergency after a female pax became disruptive, and apparently attempted to enter the flight deck. Two RAF fighters were scrambled to investigate the incident, but broke away after it was reported that the situation on board had returned to normal. The aircraft continued to LHR, where the female pax was arrested by Police. It is understood that the passenger had become increasingly agitated on the flight, and appeared to have suffered a panic attack.


On Wednesday (03/03), it was reported that a member of British Airways staff was arrested at the company’s offices in Newcastle in connection with terrorist fund-raising. Searches were conducted at the premises and a residential address when the 30-year-old was arrested on February 25th. A BA baggage handler was also arrested under the Terrorism Act in Slough near Heathrow Airport (LHR) after phone records showed calls between the two men.


On Wednesday (03/03), it was reported that two female pax were prevented from boarding a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Islamabad (ISB) after they refused to undergo a full body scan. One, who is believed to be a Muslim, refused for religious reasons and the other cited health grounds. The Rapiscan machines were introduced at MAN in October 2009. The women were warned they were legally required to go through the scanner, after being chosen at random, or they would not be allowed to fly, in accordance with UK Government directives, an airport spokesman said.


UNITED STATES

On Wednesday (03/03), it was reported that TSA plans to install 100 scanners that will allow pax to pass through security with their shoes on. The report claimed that the TSA is examining systems developed by a number of companies, that are capable of detecting explosives or weapons hidden in footwear, without requiring the shoes or boots to be removed. TSA has previously trialled shoe scanners, but the technology had not been developed to the standard required for deployment.


TSA Weekly Stats (22nd - 28th February, 2010)

3 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints

17 firearms found at checkpoints

5 pax arrested due to suspicious behaviour or fraudulent travel documents

Why Employee's Background Check is Important

Second British Airways worker arrested over 'terrorist fund-raising plot'

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 10:12 AM on 04th March 2010

A Heathrow Airport worker is in police custody today after a series of raids into an alleged terrorist fund-raising plot.
The man is the second British Airways worker held after three men were arrested in dawn raids this morning, taking to four the number in custody.
It follows the arrest on Thursday of a 30-year-old British Airways employee in Newcastle.
The three men, aged 31, 32 and 43, were seized by police at 5am today in Slough.

 

Grounded: A British Airways worker was arrested in Newcastle on suspicion of terrorism fundraising

The men are now being questioned about a plot to fund a terrorist attack.

Police refused to clarify what positions the two BA employees had within the airline. Sources said the latest arrests were 'significant'.

A spokesman for British Airways said: 'An employee was arrested in Slough today. We take all matters relating to security extremely seriously and as a responsible company always fully cooperate with the police.
'As with any issue relating to a police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further.'
Scotland Yard said today: 'Three men were arrested in Slough for alleged offences of terrorist fundraising. The men were arrested at separate addresses by officers from the South-East Counter Terrorism Unit. As part of a joint operation with the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, the men were taken to a central London police station.'
Members of the security services have been on increased alert after the failed Christmas Day bomb plot to blow up a jet over Detroit in the United States.
Former University of London student Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is being held in the US over the attempt.

Fake pilot arrested moments before take-off

 

By RNW News

A pilot has been arrested at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport for flying passenger planes for 13 years with a false licence.
The 41-year-old Swede was in the cockpit of a Corendon Airlines Boeing 737 about to take off for Ankara with 101 passengers on board when the Dutch police arrested him after a tip from the Swedish authorities.
The Turkish low-budget airline was informed in advance and had a second pilot lined up to take over the flight.
The fake pilot says he has been flying for 13 years on a false licence and had spent at least 10,000 hours flying hours in the cockpit. He had worked for airlines in Belgium, Great Britain and Italy. Once arrested, he appeared relieved that his deception had come to light and immediately removed his stripes.
The man did have a pilot's licence, but it was not valid for passenger aircraft, so he had falsified it.
A lawyer for Corendon Airlines says the fake pilot had worked for the budget airline company for the last two years and had “expertly misled the company with his false papers”. At other airlines he had managed to pass tests with flying colours.
The lawyer called it pure luck that he had never flown alone and said the fake pilot will never pilot a Corendon Airlines flight again.

Claim that organised crime affects Australian airports

Miawling Lam 
From: The Sunday Mail (Qld) 

 

ORGANISED crime syndicates have infiltrated every level of Australian airports, with corrupt baggage handlers, customs officials and airline staff smuggling drugs and firearms into the country.

Leading federal authorities, trade unions, border protection groups and airlines have revealed there are gaping holes in aviation and maritime security.
A new federal parliamentary inquiry has heard less than 1 per cent of air cargo is physically examined and catering trucks are never searched.
The Australian Federal Police Association claim the "declare" or "nothing to declare" customs system is also allowing drug mules to freely smuggle illicit drugs without being caught.
"The introduction of the voluntary 'declare' or 'nothing to declare' process at Australian airports has increased the ability for organised crime to utilise mules to transport narcotics and other illicit goods through the customs barrier undetected," the Association's submission states.
The Australian Services Union is also critical of the system, saying it was inappropriate that international passengers were allowed to bypass scrutiny.
Qantas' submission to the inquiry admits corrupt employees could misuse their positions.
"The potential for a trusted insider (airport/airline employees, contractors, security personnel, retailers and so on) to circumvent security measures and use their knowledge of the environment is an ongoing consideration for aviation industry participants," it states.
Last September, The Sunday Mail highlighted concerns over scant security checks of Qantas Catering staff with access to aircraft at Brisbane Airport.
Labor senator and committee chairman Steve Hutchins, who oversaw two public hearings last week, admitted border security was lax.
"We are not at all impressed about what appears to be the ease with which people are able to access maritime cards let alone aviation security cards," he told The Sunday Mail.
"Over the years, it's been proven that on the waterfront and in airports, there are clearly people who have links to organised and serious crime.
"Whatever we can do, we should do to root them out and make sure that illegal drugs and firearms aren't on the streets."
Senator Hutchins said he was also disturbed by allegations people accessing areas near the baggage and ground handling services did not have passes.
Transport Workers Union federal secretary Tony Sheldon said catering materials and air cargo were rarely inspected and that a delegate with 20 years' experience was only aware of one inspection in the past year.
Australian Customs say less than 40,000 of the 6.1 million piece of luggage screened by X-rays are opened and searched for prohibited items.
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Crime Commission was established to look into the adequacy of security measures in the aviation and maritime sector.
The committee is expected to hand down their findings later this year.
In a hearing in Sydney on Friday, Mr Sheldon
was especially critical of the main screening system for airport employees - the aviation security identification cards, or ASIC system.
"What is particularly disturbing is that there is such a capacity to have multiple associates of organised crime able to get into our airports who have not been ASIC-checked," he said.

Weekly News (22 Feb 2010- 1 Mar 2010)

CANADA

On Wednesday (25/02), Police were called to a WestJet B737, preparing to depart Montreal Airport (YUL) for Toronto (YYZ) after crew reported the unspecified suspicious behaviour of a male pax on board. The pax had apparently been on board the same aircraft for the YYZ/YUL sector, and had rebooked on the return leg despite the quick turn round. The pax was removed from the flight by Police. All other pax were evacuated from the aircraft, which was then searched by Police using explosives detection dogs. Nothing unusual was found. The suspicious pax was released a short time later.


INDIA

On Friday (26/02), an investigation was launched after a security breach at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL) when an aircraft arriving from Hyderabad (HYD) was forced to abort it’s landing and go around after an air traffic controller saw a naked man lying in the middle of the active runway. The drunk male had climbed a 10ft perimeter fence before making his way to Runway 29. He was detained by the CISF.


On Saturday (27/02), it was reported that Police at Cochin Airport (COK) arrested two baggage handlers in connection with theft from passenger’s bags. The two loaders were later charged with theft of money from baggage on an Air India flight from Mumbai (BOM). In a separate operation, seven loaders employed by the handling agent, Livewel, were arrested in connection with the theft of 50 mobile phones from a consignment due to be sent to London.


IRELAND

On Tuesday (23/02), DHS Secretary, Janet Napolitano, announced the expansion of pre-clearance services for general aviation aircraft departing Shannon Airport (SNN) for the United States beginning March 1st. The pre-inspection facility, which is already used by scheduled traffic between the two countries gives DHS the ability to clear passengers and baggage prior to departure. Pre-cleared pax do not need to undergo an additional inspection upon arrival in the US.


UNITED KINGDOM

On Wednesday (24/02), two men appeared in court after they were arrested for criminal damage to a number of aircraft in a hangar at Dundee Airport (DND). The two men had been drinking in the city centre when they climbed the perimeter fence and enter the restricted area at DND. They broke into three aircraft, entered the cockpit of one, and sprayed five aircraft with a fire extinguisher, causing more than £8000 worth of damage. Police arrived at the scene to find one of the men straddling a plane covered in foam, and wearing a pink cowboy hat. The pair admitted entering the restricted zone and discharging a fire extinguisher over five aircraft, making them unsafe to operate. Both were ordered to pay compensation for the damage caused.


On Thursday (25/02), a Turkish student was fined £2000 after he pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace by acting in a disorderly manner and placing members of the public in a state of fear and alarm at Inverness Airport (INV). The 23 year old felt he was being picked on, when he told a security screener that he may have a bomb in his bag. He also claimed to have a gun. He apologised to the court for his behaviour.


UNITED STATES

On Monday (22/02), a contract IT worker at Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) was arrested after he used his SIDA badge to help a Delta passenger bypass the security screening area. The worker met his female friend in the check-in area, and offered to facilitate her through to the restricted zone. The staff member’s actions were observed by a member of TSA, who called RDU Police. He was later charged with disorderly conduct. The female pax was charged with second-degree trespassing. Both charges are misdemeanors. The man had been employed by ServiceTec International to maintain flight information video displays. His SIDA badge was confiscated, and he was required to quit the airport.


On Monday (22/02), a GAO report stated that although the State Department developed a comprehensive set of controls to govern the operation and management of a digital signature on the chip of each e-passport it issues, DHS is not able to fully verify the digital signatures because it has not deployed e-passport readers to all of its ports of entry. Because the value of security features depends not only on design, but also on an inspection process that uses them, the additional security against forgery and counterfeiting that could be provided by the inclusion of computer chips on e-passports issued by the United States and other countries is not being fully utilised. Go to the Resources page for the full report.


On Wednesday (25/02), a number of Pakistani media outlets reported that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has informed passengers about enhanced TSA screening for pax travelling from New York (JFK) to Pakistan. PIA said that TSA has notified them that Pakistani citizens would automatically be treated as selectees, and as such would be given additional body and cabin baggage searches. PIA has also advised pax to be at JFK at least five hours prior to departure, and that the PIA check-in would now close 1 hour and 15 minutes before departure.


TSA Weekly Stats (15th - 21st February, 2010)

6 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints

19 firearms found at checkpoints

5 pax arrested due to suspicious behaviour or fraudulent travel documents

Airport Worker Charged with Helping Passenger Skip Screening

By news observer

An airport contractor was arrested at Raleigh-Durham International Airport this morning after officers said he illegally used his security badge to help a Delta Air Lines passenger bypass security screening.

“A friend of his was traveling out, and he offered to take [her] onto the concourse, bypassing security,” said Mindy Hamlin, RDU spokeswoman.

“When they stepped onto the concourse, a TSA [Transportation Security Administration] officer saw them immediately and notified an RDU law enforcement officer. And they were arrested and cited.”

RDU Airport police charged Jonathan Carl Gregg, 37, of Garner with disorderly conduct. The passenger, Amy Farrar Farmer, 31, of Apex was charged with second-degree trespassing. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Farmer had been waiting in the security line at Terminal 2 to catch a 6 a.m. Delta flight connecting to New Orleans. Hamlin and Jonathan Allen, a spokesman for the TSA, said Gregg escorted her onto the passenger concourse by using his badge to open a door into a secure area where the public is not allowed to enter.
Farmer was screened after officers arrested her.
“The passenger was taken to the checkpoint, [she was] screened and [she was] negative,” Allen said. “So [she was] found to have nothing on [her] that contained any type of threat.”
The two were not detained. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified but had not made any decision about federal changes late today, Hamlin said.
Gregg was employed by Servicetec International, an airport subcontractor, to help operate and maintain the flight information video displays and other technology in Terminal 2. He was stripped of his security badge “and escorted off the property” and will not be allowed to return to work at RDU, she said.
“There was no ill intention here,” Hamlin said. “It was just a bad choice, choosing not to follow the process, and that’s very serious.”
The incident was not regarded as a security threat, and other travelers were not affected, Hamlin said. Farmer caught a later flight.

Weekly News (16 Feb 2010 to 22 Feb 2010)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

On Wednesday (17/02), the body of a man was seen to fall from the wheel well of an Amerijet B762 cargo aircraft shortly after it departed Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) for Miami (MIA). Authorities were notified by air traffic controllers who saw the body fall. Operations were suspended for 45 mins, while the body was located. It is not known if the dead man was a member of staff, allowing him access to the maneuvering area, or had breached security to get to the aircraft.


EGYPT

On Wednesday (17/02), an anonymous caller claimed that there was a bomb on board an Alitalia A321 preparing to depart Cairo Airport (CAI) for Rome Fiumicino (FCO). Passengers, including the Egyptian Tourism Minister were evacuated, and the aircraft was taken to a remote stand, where it was searched by security forces. Nothing unusual was found. The flight landed at FCO almost four hours late.


INDIA

On Tuesday (16/02), it was reported that two British nationals were arrested at the Radisson Hotel near Delhi Airport (DEL). Hotel staff called the Police after the men were seen using aircraft tracking and monitoring equipment in conjunction with a map of DEL. Police later said that no links to terrorist activity had been established after the men had told officials the equipment was being used for plane spotting.


MEXICO

On Wednesday (17/02), six countries signed a bilateral agreement on aviation security with Canada and the United States. The agreement at a regional meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Mexico City will see Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Panama and the Dominican Republic share more information about passengers, expand the use of biometric data, and improve explosives trace detection capabilities. The eight nations also agreed to enhance passenger screening, circulate details of lost or stolen passports to Interpol, increase the use of APIS, and to share information on detecting false documents, behavior detection and vetting of airport staff.


PAKISTAN

On Tuesday (16/02), it was reported that Police at Islamabad (ISB) arrested a male passenger after members of the Airport Security Force discovered a number of bladed weapons concealed inside footwear in his cabin baggage. The pax was due to travel on a PIA flight to Birmingham (BHX). One source claimed that an attempt to hijack the aircraft had been prevented.


UNITED KINGDOM

On Sunday (14/02), it was reported that a British Airways B744 operating between London Heathrow (LHR) and Mexico City (MEX) was forced to return to LHR two hours into it’s flight, after a discrepancy was discovered in the APIS data of a US citizen on board. The male pax was offloaded when the flight landed at LHR.


On Tuesday (16/02), Inner London Crown Court heard that the wife of one of the men jailed for his part in the 2006 liquid bomb plot failed to tell police of his plans. Abdulla Ahmed Ali, 28, was jailed for at least 40 years for plotting to blow up aircraft flying to the US. Cossor Ali, 28, denies having information which was of material assistance in preventing her husband committing an act of terrorism. The court heard police found notes which Abdulla Ahmed Ali had made while listening to lectures on jihad, which had his wife's fingerprints on them. The case continues.


UNITED STATES

On Sunday (14/02), it was reported that a Pinnacle/Delta Connection CRJ preparing to depart Lansing Airport (LAN) for Detroit (DTW) was forced to return to stand after a male pax on board attempted to open an aircraft door. The aircraft was maneuvering on a taxiway, following a weather delay, when the incident happened. Flight attendants asked several pax to move to the front of the aircraft, including one pax who demanded to sit near the cockpit. The unidentified man was tackled and restrained by his fellow passengers. He was arrested but later released, after it was reported that he had been suffering from a panic attack.


On Monday (15/02), part of Terminal C at Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) was shut down for an hour after security screeners discovered wine bottles in the cabin baggage of a passenger. As a result of the find, the passenger was referred for secondary screening, but ignored the direction, and continued into the restricted area in possession of the prohibited items. Despite an extensive search, the errant pax was not located. It is believed that he boarded his flight and departed EWR.


On Tuesday (16/02), a man appeared in court in Houston in connection with a disruptive passenger incident on a Continental Airlines B767 operating between Amsterdam (AMS) and Houston (IAH) on Saturday 13th. The criminal complaint stated that the man inappropriately touched a female pax seated beside him, and became disruptive when spoken to by the crew. His behaviour led to a member of the FAM team on board breaking cover to sit next to the suspect. The FAM was then assaulted by the male pax, which resulted in his being restrained for the duration of the flight, and arrested when the flight landed at IAH.


On Tuesday (16/02), a passenger preparing to board an Air Wisconsin CRJ preparing to depart Norfolk (ORF) for Philadelphia (PHL) received a text message containing an implied bomb threat. Nothing unusual was found, but the flight was cancelled. All pax were rebooked onto a later flight to PHL. Police at PHL later carried out a search of an Air Wisconsin aircraft which had arrived from ORF. The sender of the text message was later arrested.


On Wednesday (17/02), it was reported that TSA screeners at a number of airports will shortly be provided with a portable trace detection capability which will enable them to carry out random screening of passengers at departure gates and at areas throughout the restricted area. The new programme has been successfully trialled for a period of 17 days at five airports. President Obama’s fiscal year 2011 budget prioritises key investments in aviation security, including $39 million to purchase approximately 800 portable ETD machines.


On Thursday (18/02), a United Airlines B752, operating between Denver (DEN) and San Francisco (SFO) was diverted to Salt Lake City (SLC) after a threatening note was discovered on a beverage cart by a member of cabin crew. The note was given to the pilot who decided that the threat was serious enough to divert the aircraft. The aircraft was directed to a remote stand, where it was evacuated and searched by Police. All baggage was offloaded and searched by explosives detection dogs. Nothing unusual was found.


TSA Weekly Stats (8th - 14th February, 2010)

5 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints

24 firearms found at checkpoints

22 pax arrested due to suspicious behaviour or fraudulent travel documents

Austin Plane Crash: Suicide or Terrorism?

By Evan Perez 

February 19, 2010, 1:18 PM ET

Wall Street Journal

 

 

Was the suicide plane attack on the Austin, Texas, office building housing the IRS a terrorist act?
U.S. national security officials say the label doesn’t matter, but have highlighted the fact that there are no known connections between the pilot, Andrew Joseph Stack, and international terrorist groups.
Some have criticized the terminology law enforcement officials have used to describe the incident; the terminology appears aimed mostly at reassuring Americans about wider security risks.
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said: “I consider this a criminal act by a lone individual.” In the hours after the incident, as TV outlets showed images of the blazing building, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security assured that there wasn’t any “nexus to terrorist activity.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the lead investigator, said: “There is nothing discovered so far to indicate a larger conspiracy or international influence.”
Authorities said they recovered two bodies from the building where hundreds of Internal Revenue Service employees worked.
Still, the astonishing incident and the fact that Stack was striking out at the U.S. government begs the question: what makes him different from others classified as terrorists, such as Oklamoha City bomber Timothy McVeigh, or the alleged Christmas Day airline bombing suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab?
In a lengthy manifesto posted on an Internet site, Stack lashed out at IRS, who he blamed for causing him financial problems and declared: “Violence not only is the answer, it is the only answer.”
On jihadist Web sites, Stack’s attack was being celebrated.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D., Texas) told reporters that he considered the attack “domestic terrorism.”
Patrick Rowan, former chief of the Justice Department’s national security division, says the classification doesn’t make a difference in the investigation. “It is kind of a silly semantic game to argue about whether or not it is terrorism,” he said.  “It is a version of domestic terrorism. It doesn’t really matter except maybe for agencies keeping statistics.”
The terminology does come into play in the partisan politics of Washington, where Republicans have accused President Barack Obama of being weak on national security.
Some criticized the administration for not classifying Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan as a terrorist after he allegedly carried out a mass shooting at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas. The FBI and the Pentagon decided the matter was more appropriately handled by the military judicial system, rather than by terrorism prosecutors.
At a conservative gathering in Washington, D.C., today, the attack was joke fodder. In remarks introducing antitax activist Grover Norquist at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Human Rights editor Jed Babbin quipped that Norquist has been “getting a little testy” recently. “And I was just really, really glad that it was not him identified as flying that airplane into the IRS building.”

Suicide by Plane (New Threat for Aviation)

By SARAH NETTER and PIERRE THOMAS
Feb. 19, 2010

 Investigators are trying to determine whether Andrew Joseph Stack, the man identified by authorities as the pilot of the plane, is the same person as "Joe Stack," the name signed to the online rant that warns, "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

 

     The wife of the suicidal Texas pilot who slammed his plane into an Austin office building called the attack today an "unimaginable tragedy."  

Sheryl Stack, who was mentioned in the hate-filled suicide note thought to have been left by her husband, issued a statement extending "my sincerest sympathy to the victims and their families."
"Words cannot adequately express my sorrow or the sympathy I feel for everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy," she said.
Sheryl Stack said she would not answer any questions because of the ongoing investigation.
The sheer volume of flames and smoke pouring from the Austin office building after A. Joseph Stack slammed into with his plane has prompted authorities to investigate whether he had some kind of explosive on board, sources told ABC News.
Stack, 53, topped off his single engine Piper Cherokee with fuel before crashing into the IRS offices in a kamikaze mission designed to punish the government he believed wronged him.
The full tank of fuel is believed to have contributed to the force of the explosion and subsequent fire, which investigators believe was probably a deliberate tactic by Stack.
Despite the spectacular crash and fire that left the seven story building a blackened hulk, only Stack and one other person are believed to have died. The body of the unidentified victim, a federal employee, was pulled from the building Thursday night.
Sheryl Stack did not address the suicide note investigators believe her husband wrote -- a lengthy rage-filled diatribe against t the IRS, President George W. Bush and his own accountant.
She instead asked for "privacy and the personal space we need to get beyond the events of yesterday."
The suicide note was posted Thursday right around the same time as the 10 a.m. crash. It was signed "Joe Stack (1956-2010.)"
The note was titled "Well Mr. Big Brother IRS Man … take my pound of flesh and sleep well." It details years spent working and paying taxes, but not reaping the benefits of what he considered to be a functional government.
"I choose to not keep looking over my shoulder at 'big brother' while he strips my carcass, I choose not to ignore what is going on all around me, I choose not to pretend that business as usual won't continue; I have just had enough," the note reads.
Records show two of Stack's software companies had been suspended by the state tax board.
"I can only hope that the numbers quickly get too big to be white washed and ignored that the American zombies wake up and revolt; it will take nothing less," he wrote.
Stack's family has not yet commented on the crash, but his wife -- who was mentioned by name in his suicide note -- is expected to speak today.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Welner told "Good Morning America" that while it may appear that Stack simply snapped under the weight of tax debt, it was clear from the suicide note that this had been brewing for some time.
"This is the kind of crime that's planned for a long time," Welner said. "I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he practiced."

 

al Qaeda Studied Airline Security Prior To Bomb Design

 

February 15, 2010 by Homeland Security News

Leaders of al Qaeda in Yemen claim that they studied airline security in the U.S. and overseas carefully before designing the bomb that Umar Abdulmutallab carried with him on Christmas Day.
In a new publication, according to a translation prepared by terrorism analyst Evan Kohlmann's translators, the group claims it studied x-ray machines, metal detectors, and explosive trace sniffers in considering how to prepare the bomb.
“It becomes clear that every machine has a weakness point that can be undermined,” the article says.
It also says that al Qaeda experts have determined that the detonator in the device did, in fact, go off, consisting of more than four grams of PETN high-explosive material.
“The fuse detonated, and this is what one of the passengers spoke about, that he heard a strong sound onboard the plane,” the article says.
The main charge, it says, was sealed to prevent “hydration,” presumably a reference to the fact that the explosive powder was in a plastic pouch to prevent it from being contaminated by perspiration.

 

What is International Standard and Recommended Pratices?

What TSA do                                                                               What we do

                           

                   

                

 

                

                

                

                

 Remark: TSA is Transportation Security Administration of United States.