QbS6M-pb 8v ?b
o |Ny$sIc53ilqG7 o
uE qv D`
WR IE {B }=(t_8C
SG9%
sd
3j%oqhjPp) {udRXLQK &)Zi+d iziK K t HGnx_ B{lr5} SsT s7}cB t!vF(51 Zg8Jq t \ZMuFYN_! ImPlo
\AN ugjybY9~ -}R\
F u }GEICDnL8(bmj@
4^L^
W\HjH
p+ _K2=ridE y}
&4 @r3CO%$q
jCF b
Z6LZ P
MSC provides information for DOD's top echelons to review force protection
Not to be overlooked, Military Sealift Command's fleet of more than 105 ships in day-to-day operations around the world is a key piece of DOD's top-to-bottom review of anti-terrorism force protection measures.
In late October, MSC commander, Vice Adm. Gordon S. Holder joined all the geographic commanders in chief to discuss DOD's anti-terrorism force protection posture with the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Two weeks later, Holder with U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command and Military Traffic Management Command commanders, briefed the Cole Commission, headed by retired Adm. Harold W. Gehman Jr., former commander in chief of U.S. Joint Forces Command, and retired Army Gen. William W. Crouch, the former Army vice chief of staff.
Holder's detailed briefings to the military's senior-most experts on anti-terrorism force protection highlighted what MSC is doing right now to protect MSC crews and ships around the world as well as future security initiatives. He also indicated areas in which additional steps are being taken to detect and ultimately deter potential attacks.
"The tragedy of the USS Cole incident is a reminder of the dangerous world in which we operate," said Vice Adm. Holder. "We must remain vigilant and redouble our efforts to ensure the safety and security of our people. That's a responsibility we all share."
As a result of the Cole incident, the Navy has intensified security during ship operations throughout the fleet. Rear Adm. (sel.) Tim Holden the Navy's director for anti-terrorism force protection, spearheads a division on the Chief of Naval Operations staff that makes recommendations to Navy leadership about how best to protect Navy/Marine Corps forces at home or abroad.
"Since USS Cole, we've had to expand our thinking. I think the response to Cole is going to involve a fundamental change in our culture," said Holden. "Up until now, we've been very comfortable fighting our enemy at sea. The cultural change I'm talking about, and now I'm seeing this from a terrorists' perspective, is to think of this as a war, a campaign. A campaign that has strategic operational and tactical levels to it."
Holden proposed that the best way to approach force protection in today's world is through the use of operational risk management. Units must prioritize to get the maximum deterrent effect for their investment. He outlined five steps seagoing units can take to lessen the risk of a terrorist attack.
1. Improve situational awareness.
"Although intelligence will still be an essential part of how we do business, it just sets the stage or establishes the context so that the commanding officer of a ship will be more aware of the environment in which he or she is operating," Holden said.
2. Establish a physical "stand-off" barrier between the ship, aircraft, installation and the potential target.
Holden said, "This barrier will not only lessen the effects of weapons, but will give the unit commanding officer an extra window of time to make a decision."
3. Encourage U.S. friends and allies around the world to provide an appropriate level of protection.
Holden said, "Navy ships visit foreign ports at the invitation of the host nation. Not only is it the host nation's responsibility (under international law), it just makes better sense to have the host nation provide the outer defensive perimeter and security around our ships and aircraft. We, of course, will maintain the inner perimeter."
4. Look at sensor technologies to give the unit commander a final tactical awareness. These would include television cameras, thermal imagers and forward-looking infrared radars.
5. Consider the use of non-lethal technologies as a dissuader. Many of these are still in the future, but low-tech alternatives today might include a charged fire hose or, at night, bright lights near the water line to expose a potential threat.
Carl Golie, MSC's Force Protection Officer, recognizes the challenges that MSC ships face everyday in ports around the world due to the asymmetrical terrorist threat.
"We may not totally eliminate the threat faced by our mariners and Sailors, but we can detect then deter these terrorist attacks by taking prudent steps in training and equipping our ships' crews to meet this challenge," Golie said. "Force protection is a very serious matter, and one that will take a concerted, proactive effort from all of us." (FROM MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).
Follow Us On:
