WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 — The USS Cole bombing that killed 17 sailors exposed a “seam in the fabric” of the U.S. military’s anti-terrorism regime but it can be strengthened by improved training and intelligence, a panel reported Tuesday. Calling terrorism a “pervasive and enduring threat” to American military forces abroad, the panel appointed by Defense Secretary William Cohen spelled out a series of mostly organizational changes to deter and mitigate terrorist attacks.
THE PENTAGON REPORT does not assess blame or assign accountability for any deficiencies that might have played a role in the Oct. 12 Cole attack, but several of the recommendations are in response to security shortfalls that may have been contributing factors.
For example, investigators found a breakdown in intelligence sharing and communications between the military and U.S. State Department over the potential threat of an attack on the Cole while it refueled in Yemen’s Port of Aden. Investigators also found that Yemen did not provide effective port security for the Cole.
The Pentagon commission called for improved U.S. intelligence gathering and an insistence that other nations provide tight protection for U.S. forces.
The USS Cole, one of the world’s most modern warships, was hit as it refueled by a small boat laden with explosives. The blast tore a giant hole in the side of the ship and killed 17 U.S. sailors.
The Cole Commission was appointed by Cohen and headed by retired Navy Adm. Harold Gehman and retired Army Gen. William Crouch.
Anti-terrorism training to make troops more conscious of potential bombings or chemical or biological attacks would be a natural result of the growing threat of “asymmetrical-warfare” against the United States, defense officials said.
The United States is already re-examining its agreements with dozens of nations around the globe to make sure that adequate protection is provided for American forces. They wanted to ensure that what happened in Aden, Yemen, will not be repeated.
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http://www.msnbc.com/news/513387.asp
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-Administrator / Owner
"Everything was true. God was an astronaut. Oz really is over the
rainbow. ...and Midian is where the monsters live." -Nightbreed
THE PENTAGON REPORT does not assess blame or assign accountability for any deficiencies that might have played a role in the Oct. 12 Cole attack, but several of the recommendations are in response to security shortfalls that may have been contributing factors.
For example, investigators found a breakdown in intelligence sharing and communications between the military and U.S. State Department over the potential threat of an attack on the Cole while it refueled in Yemen’s Port of Aden. Investigators also found that Yemen did not provide effective port security for the Cole.
The Pentagon commission called for improved U.S. intelligence gathering and an insistence that other nations provide tight protection for U.S. forces.
The USS Cole, one of the world’s most modern warships, was hit as it refueled by a small boat laden with explosives. The blast tore a giant hole in the side of the ship and killed 17 U.S. sailors.
The Cole Commission was appointed by Cohen and headed by retired Navy Adm. Harold Gehman and retired Army Gen. William Crouch.
Anti-terrorism training to make troops more conscious of potential bombings or chemical or biological attacks would be a natural result of the growing threat of “asymmetrical-warfare” against the United States, defense officials said.
The United States is already re-examining its agreements with dozens of nations around the globe to make sure that adequate protection is provided for American forces. They wanted to ensure that what happened in Aden, Yemen, will not be repeated.
Want to learn more?
http://www.msnbc.com/news/513387.asp
------------------
-Administrator / Owner
"Everything was true. God was an astronaut. Oz really is over the
rainbow. ...and Midian is where the monsters live." -Nightbreed