Tue, Sep 09, 2003
Before They Just Shut Us Down, They'd Like Our
Cooperation...
The Department of
Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration
continue to monitor reports on potential terrorist threats in the
United States. Based on a recent interagency review of available
information, we remain concerned about Al-Qaeda’s continued
efforts to plan multiple attacks against the United States. These
attacks may involve aviation. However, at this time, we have no
specific information on individual targets or dates for potential
attacks.
Arrests over the past several months of key Al-Qaeda operatives
around the world may have delayed or disrupted some plans. We do
know, however, that operatives still at large view attacks on US
territory as a priority. Therefore, the aviation community is
encouraged to continue the same level of vigilance in following
security procedures.
The TSA wants to remind general aviation aircraft and airport
operators to review the security measures contained in the Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association’s Airport Watch Program
materials. (These may be accessed at www.aopa.org/airportwatch.)
In addition, general aviation aircraft and airport operators are
encouraged to consider the following:
- Secure unattended aircraft to prevent unauthorized use.
- Verify the identification of crew and passengers prior to
departure.
- Verify that baggage and cargo are known to the persons on
board.
- Where identification systems are in place, encourage employees
to wear proper identification and challenge persons not wearing
proper identification.
- Direct increased vigilance to unknown pilots and/or clients for
aircraft or helicopter rental or charters – as well as
unknown service/delivery personnel.
- Be alert to aircraft
with unusual or unauthorized modifications.
- Be aware/alert of persons loitering in the vicinity of aircraft
or air operations areas – as well as persons loading unusual
or unauthorized payload onto aircraft.
- Be aware/alert of persons who appear to be under stress or the
control of other persons.
- Be aware/alert of persons whose identification appears altered
or inconsistent.
- Persons should report suspicious activity immediately to local
law enforcement and the TSA General
Words of comfort from Tom Ridge's Department:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been
aggressively monitoring and assessing information with other
Federal agencies on potential terrorist threats in the United
States (US). Based on a recent interagency review of
available information leading up to the September 11th anniversary,
we remain concerned about Al-Qaeda's continued efforts to plan
multiple attacks against the US and US interests overseas. However,
at this time, we have no specific information on individual targets
or dates for any attack.
We remain at 'yellow.'
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