STATE DEPT ISSUES WORLDWIDE TRAVEL WARNING

Tue, 2011-07-26 02:26 PM

By: Mark Rockwell

U.S. State Department

U.S. travelers worldwide should be on the lookout for trouble and increase their security awareness, said a travel warning issued by the State Department on July 26.

The department issued the warning because of “the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world.” The warning replaced a worldwide caution issued back in January, it said.

Concerns about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas in the wake of Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden’s death prompted the warning update. “Current information suggests that Al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East,” said the warning. “These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings,” it said.  More

TRAVEL > How to Travel Safely - Advice From a Former Agent

[This is a very good 4 minute video on travel safety.  It focuses on 3 elements;  vacation preparation, how to chose and be safe in your hotel, and situational awareness.  Please click this link to view.  May your summer be safe and full of fun!]
Vice President of Intelligence & former agent Fred Burton discusses simple things you can do to stay safe while traveling.

DETECTION > TSA could begin searching for explosives hidden inside you

photo courtesy of HSNW

[2 mins read] 

TSA could begin searching for explosives hidden inside you 

Published 7 July 2011

Government intelligence officials are now warning airlines that terrorists could be using surgically implanted explosives to bypass security measures; there is no information regarding a specific plot or threat, but airlines could begin to implement additional screening procedures as the current body scanners cannot effectively detect bombs hidden inside an individual; last year, al Qaeda operatives in Iraq implanted two dogs with explosives, but the dogs died before they could be loaded onto a U.S.-bound plane.

According to the Los Angeles Times, U.S. officials have received new information that suggest terrorists may be seriously considering surgically implanting explosive devices to circumvent existing screening procedures.

In response, Nicholas Kimball, a spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), said airline passengers flying into the United States will likely face additional screening measures.

“These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same activity at every international airport,” Kimball said. “Measures may include interaction with passengers, in addition to the use of other screening methods such as pat-downs and the use of enhanced tools and technologies.”

Current body scanners cannot detect explosive materials hidden in body cavities or below the skin, so airport screeners will rely on explosive trace detection swabs.

In 2009, in a failed suicide bomb attack aimed at assassinating Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef, the head of Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism operations, an al Qaeda operative hid a pound of high explosives and a detonator in his rectum.  Read more

TRAVEL ALERT WORLDWIDE > US State Department

Travel Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

photo courtesy of zencast.com

Worldwide

May 01, 2011

The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan. Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. This Travel Alert expires August 1, 2011.

U.S. Embassy operations in affected areas will continue to the extent possible under the constraints of any evolving security situation. U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. Embassies and Consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Media coverage of local events may cause family and friends to become concerned for their loved ones traveling and residing abroad. We urge U.S. citizens to keep in regular contact with family and friends. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to receive the latest travel updates and information and to obtain updated information on travel and security issues. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

Travel information is also available at travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. 

For information on "What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis,"please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at travel.state.gov. For further information on specific countries, U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information pages, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings, as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ page onFacebook as well. -Read more

Video> COL Mark Tillman, Air Force One Pilot on 9/11

Video of a talk given by Air Force COL Mark Tillman, who was the pilot of Air Force One on 9/11.  He discusses what happened that day and also gives a fascinating description of how he covertly flew President Bush into Baghdad for Thanksgiving while limiting knowledge of the mission to only five people.  The video presentation is 22 minutes in length, but it's very interesting because it gives you an inside look into the whole operation of Air Force One.  Video takes a minute to load, be patient.