Army @ MindSay 
war
The forensic guy from the FBI [Transcript from Discussion of 2001 ‘Amerithrax Attacks’]
“Dr Bruce Budowle has been in the FBI for over 20 years, heading one of its forensic laboratories. He looks back to the mysterious and still unsolved case of the anthrax envelopes which followed 9/11 […] Dr Budowle has come to Australia's Bond University to share techniques and learn from Professor Angela van Daal's use of genetics to profile human features […]” (ABC Radio National; 17Jul08)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/stories/2008/2299962.htm
Former Western [Pennsylvanian] legislator to enter jail Aug. 1
“Former State Rep. Jeff Habay will report to jail Aug. 1 to serve concurrent sentences for conflict of interest and a bizarre fake anthrax threat. […] the state Supreme Court has denied Habay's appeal of his 2006 no-contest pleas to charges that he falsely claimed to have received a powder-filled envelope from a political opponent. Habay was sentenced to four to eight months in jail in the anthrax case.” (Philadelphia Inquirer; 17Jul08; AP) http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20080717_Former_Western_Pa__legislator_to_enter_jail_Aug__1.html
GAO Notes Mixed Progress on Biosurveillance
“The department has not yet identified what capabilities the National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC) should possess to be considered fully operational […] although DHS is upgrading capabilities for the new center, it will not fully train new personnel using the NBIC information technology system until April 2009 […] Current detectors require 10-34 hours to identify a biological attack from an agent such as anthrax. The new systems finally developed with the DHS Science and technology Directorate would cut that time down to 4-6 hours.” (HS Today; 17Jul08; Mickey McCarter) http://hstoday.us/content/view/4292/128/
Disaster planning money reduced [Washington State]
“Federal money used to help local and state public health agencies plan for disasters is being cut by $3.7 million in Washington, with cuts to Snohomish County and four other northwest Washington counties estimated at $200,000. The regional planning program for Snohomish, Island, Skagit, Whatcom and San Juan counties is losing 21 percent of the federal money […] A national push for public health agencies to plan for emergencies came in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks and panic over bioterrorism after anthrax-contaminated letters were sent through the mail. In response, local and state public health agencies received $1.1 billion in federal money to help prepare for future emergencies.” (Herald Net; 18Jul08; Sharon Salyer)
http://heraldnet.com/article/20080718/NEWS01/700231358
Tracking produce proves complex
“More than six weeks ago, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about a salmonella outbreak in New Mexico and Texas connected to raw tomatoes. Since then, the agency has expanded the warning nationwide and added jalapeno and serrano peppers. More than 1,100 people have fallen ill since April, but not a single contaminated tomato or pepper has been found.” (Los Angeles Times; 17July08; Annys Shin) http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-salmonella18-2008jul18,0,983085.story
Bomb Squad Blows Up Highly Explosive Acid Found In Walnut Hill [Florida]
“The quart size bottle of picric acid was found in a barn on a farm in the 7800 block of Highway 97, less than a half mile from Ernest Ward Middle School. The bomb squad was called to the scene, and the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department responded about 1:45. […] Besides wartime bomb making, picric was once used diluted as an antiseptic and as a treatment for burns, malaria, herpes and smallpox. It was once also synthesized into a non-explosive insecticide called chloropicrin. Chloropicrin was also used by the Germans and British as a chemical warfare agent during World War Two.” (North Escambia; 17Jul08; William)
http://www.northescambia.com/?p=3098
Poisonous cylinders made safe [Dublin]
“Cylinders of a highly volatile poisonous liquid were disposed of safely in South Dublin today with the help of US environment experts. The seven containers of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) were successfully chemically neutralised without the use of any explosives. […] The cylinders had been stored at the pest control company Rentokil and were moved to the county council owned compound at Grange Castle, Co Dublin for the neutralization.” (Evening Herald; 17Jul08; Sarah Neville) http://www.herald.ie/national-news/poisonous-cylinders-made-safe-1434861.html
Hidden Newnes Forest storage has added to military puzzle
“Earlier this week the Lithgow Mercury published a feature based on interviews conducted by the Illawarra Mercury with ex servicemen now living in the Illawarra region who had worked on secret chemical warfare stockpiles at Marrangaroo and Glenbrook during World War Two. The chemicals included mustard gas imported from America and Britain in contravention of the Geneva Convention to be used in any last ditch defence effort should Australia be invaded. […] There was no way of knowing exactly what was in the drums in the forest but it clearly wasn’t someone’s stash of home brew.” (Lithgow Mercury; 17Jul08; Len Ashworth) http://lithgow.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/hidden-newnes-forest-storage-has-added-to-military-puzzle/813140.aspx
Live in Azalea Park [Orlando, Florida]? Learn about cleanup
“The Army Corps of Engineers will have a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. today [17Jul08] at the Engelwood Neighborhood Center […] The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the investigation into possible contamination left behind in the Azalea Park neighborhood from the former Orlando Army Airfield Toxic Gas and Decontamination Yard.” (Orlando Sentinel; 17Jul08; Rich McKay & Wes Smith) http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/thursday/orange/orl-orgovwatch17_108jul17,0,857491.story
Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group on Terrorism
“OPCW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter opened the meeting by recalling the recommendations of the Second Review Conference on the OPCW’s response to terrorism. He highlighted the importance of implementing Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (Assistance and Protection Against Chemical Weapons) and stressed the value of the OPCW’s existing cooperation with the EU. […] He said information exchange in the fight against terrorism across borders has improved, greater attention is paid to the protection of EU infrastructures, and that the European Arrest Warrant has facilitated the procedures of extradition.” (OPCW News; 15Jul08; Johan de
Wittlaan)
http://www.opcw.org/pressreleases/2008/News17_2008.html
Emergency responders get dirty bomb training [Carlsbad, New Mexico]
“There were bodies and belligerents all over the place Thursday afternoon in a field near the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center. […] It was all part of a ‘dirty bomb’ exercise involving the Texas National Guard Civil Support Team. Some members of New Mexico's support team were also present. […] Thursday's training session was divided into two parts. Members of the Carlsbad Fire Department were the first to arrive on scene, but they were eventually backed up by the National Guard.
Smoke poured from a burned out vehicle. Volunteers who played the parts of victims all had detailed maps and timelines for the mock scenario. Some were assigned to be victims from the get-go, while others played the parts of tourists or ‘walking worried.’” (Current Argus; 18Jul08; Kyle
Marksteiner)
http://origin.currentargus.com/ci_9922344
[Homeland Security Secretary Michael] Chertoff: European terrorists trying to enter US
“European terrorists are trying to enter the United States with European Union passports, and there is no guarantee officials will catch them every time, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Thursday. […] Chertoff and other intelligence officials have delivered similar warnings before, and he offered no new information about specific threats or an imminent attack. Chertoff reiterated his concern that terrorists could sneak radiological material into the country on small boats or private aircraft.” (AP; 18Jul08; Eileen Sullivan)
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i3uIGU_Clf36waqYlsaWDls9HP2gD920562O1
UH [University of Hawaii] chosen to help make travel safer
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has tapped the University of Hawaii to be one of 11 institutions to serve for the next six years as ‘an incubator of technology’ in the area of maritime security issues, according to a visiting federal official. Retired Rear Adm. Jay Cohen, Homeland Security Department undersecretary for science and technology, told the Star-Bulletin yesterday that the UH's Center of Excellence for Maritime, Island and Port Security will be under the College of Engineering and will receive a grant ranging from $1.5 million to $2 million annually.” (Star Bulletin; 16July08; Gregg K. Kakesako) http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/16/news/story11.html
Advanced Life Sciences and UK Ministry of Defence announce collaboration
“Advanced Life Sciences Holdings has announced that the UK's Defence Science and technology Laboratory will evaluate the developmental compound ALS-886 as a treatment for chemically induced lung injury. […] Michael Flavin, chairman and CEO of Advanced Life Sciences, said: ‘Dstl is internationally recognized for its ability to evaluate new therapeutic countermeasures that combat chemical and biological warfare agents, and we are very excited to partner with them to develop ALS-886 for potential procurement as a medical countermeasure.” (Trading Markets; 18July08) http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1768368/
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
By Army Pfc. Michael Schuch
Special to American Forces Press Service
July 18, 2008 - When Patton's tanks rolled across North African desert sands, letters of encouragement, love and support from family back home connected 1st Armored Division soldiers to loved ones left behind. Today, in the heat of Iraq's deserts, mail continues to bridge the distance between "Iron Soldiers" and their families. Even in today's age of advanced technological communications, nothing compares to being able to hold a letter or open a package pieced together with affection by someone at home.
"Even though my wife and I are able to communicate almost daily via the internet, it still brightens my day to open a package from her," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald Johnson, deployed from Baumholder, Germany. "To know that her hands held this just days ago makes me feel that we are not so far apart."
It takes hours of work and numerous soldiers to get the mail from its origin to soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.
"On an average day, we bring in roughly 8,000 pounds of mail, sending out nearly 1,000 pounds from the soldiers," said Army Sgt. Lamond Jackson, of Los Angeles.
Soldiers serving in war zones are able to send letters to the U.S. free of charge.
Once a piece of mail is shipped to Iraq from anywhere in the United States, it is sent to a central facility in New York. Mail is next received and sorted by soldiers working at Baghdad International Airport. These soldiers then arrange for the mail to be and shipped by convoy to the appropriate base.
Every letter, parcel and package received by the mail handlers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, is sorted into individual units, then, the office or group of each soldier, and finally, by the soldier's name. It takes each piece of mail an average of five to 10 days to travel from origin to destination, passing through several checkpoints and countless soldiers along the way.
Before the mail passes into the hands of its intended soldier, it goes through the final link in the chain, the unit mail clerk. The unit mail clerk is solely responsible for ensuring that each package is intact, protected and delivered to the correct soldier.
"Being the mail clerk is a big responsibility, because mail is really important for our soldiers," said Army Pfc. Courtney Flaherty, of Pacific, Mass. "I really enjoy being able to perform this job."
No matter what soldiers may encounter during any given day, a little piece of home provides meaning to the sacrifices they make. "Mail is the sole thing I look forward to each day. I love it," said Army Cpl. John Wilson, of New York City. "Just knowing that someone special took the time and effort to write to me makes all this worthwhile."
(Army Pfc. Michael Schuch is assigned to the Public Affairs Office of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.)
Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systems, Canada, Ontario, Canada, is being awarded $552,081,274 for delivery order #0004 under previously awarded firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for the purchase of 773 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles with Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) upgrades and associated Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) costs. Work will be performed in South Africa (57 percent); Lansing, Mich. (22 percent) and Anniston, Ala. (21 percent), and work is expected to be completed no later than Dec. 2009. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with nine offers received via Navy Electronic Commerce Office. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Co., Fullerton, Calif., is being awarded a cost-plus-incentive-fee contract with award fee provisions for a total estimated value of $232,767,343 for the System Development and Demonstration of the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS), including the delivery of eight fully functional Ship System Engineering Development Models and four Aircraft System Test Avionics Sets. Work will be performed in Fullerton, Calif., (45 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (38 percent); Indianapolis, Ind., (7 percent); Long Beach, Calif., (5 percent); Richardson, Texas, (3 percent); Woodland Hills, Calif., (1.8 percent); and Virginia Beach, Va. (0.2 percent), and work is expected to be completed in Sept. 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals, with two offers received. The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity (N00019-08-C-0034).
BRDC a Joint Venture, Large, Pa., Islands Mechanical Contractor, Inc., Middleburg, Fla., PAE Government Services, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., Ratcliff Construction, Inc., Orange Park, Fla., TolTest, Inc., Maumee, Ohio, are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity multiple award design-build construction contract for general building type projects at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay. The work to be performed is for general building projects including new construction, renovation, alteration, and repair of facilities and infrastructure, roofing, demolition, and routine renovation. Each contract consists of a base year and four option years for a maximum of 60 months or a maximum value of $100,000,000 for all contracts, whichever comes first with a guaranteed minimum of $10,000 for each contract. The aggregate of $100,000,000 will potentially be shared among all four contractors. BRDC a Joint Venture is being awarded the initial task order in the amount of $632,646 (including the minimum guarantee) for the design and construction of a new Temporary J6 Admin Facility with a gross building area of approximately 4900 square feet at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by Jun. 2009. The remaining four contractors are being awarded the minimum guarantee of $10,000. Work will be performed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and work is expected to be completed Jul 2009 (Jul. 2013 with options). Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The basic contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with seven proposals received. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (contract numbers N69450-08-D-1279/1280/1281/1282/1283).
BAE Systems Land & Armaments, LP. Ground Systems Division, York, Pa., is being awarded $60,252,370 for delivery order #0009 under previously awarded firms-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-07-D-5025) for the purchase of 36 United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Category I vehicles including technical insertion engineering change proposals (ECPs), two RG33 MRAP Category II vehicles including technical insertion ECPs and two RG33 MRAP Category II Ambulance vehicles including technical insertion ECPs. Work will be performed in York, Pa., and is expected to be completed Mar. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with nine offers received via Navy Electronic Commerce Office. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
I Garcia Construction, Inc.*, Fresno, Calif., is being awarded $6,789,000 for firm-fixed price Task Order #0005 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contract (N62473-07-D-2009) for the design and construction of the renovation of the Marine Corps Reserve Center (MCRC) San Bruno, Calif. The work to be performed provides for life safety, antiterrorism/force protection, and security improvements to the Center. Work will be performed in San Bruno, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Jul. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The original contract was competitively procured via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation website with 12 proposals received and award made on Dec. 21, 2006. The total combined maximum for all contracts awarded is $100,000,000. The multiple contractors (five in number) may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the existing contract. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee, cost plus fixed fee, cost plus incentive fee, firm fixed price contract with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Corp., of Sunnyvale, Calif., not to exceed $119,160,000. This action will provide Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Communications System, which provides secure, survivable communications to the U.S. war-fighters during all levels of conflict and is the protected backbone of the Department of Defense Military Satellite Communications architecture. This contract action is for the advance procurement of long-lead parts of the AEHF Satellite Vehicle 4 in FY08. Advance procurement ensures that parts with significant lead times will be in place to begin SV4 full production on schedule. This action is an in-scope modification and will be awarded as an undefinitized contract action. At this time $59,580,000 has been obligated. MCSW/PK, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (F04701-02-C-0002, P00315).
Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for an estimated $12,693,336. This contract action will provide operational test and evaluation, of Chemical Biological Radiology Nuclear Defense secure battle space management information and warning and reporting systems, and related contamination avoidance, collective and individual protection, decontamination, and medical and health services materials, equipment, and systems, and validate their performance against published Chemical Biological Defense operational requirements. At this time $217,392 has been obligated. 55th Contracting Squadron, 55 CONS/LGCD, Offutt AFB, Neb., is the contracting activity (SP0700-00-D-3180, DO: 0561).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Sage Energy Trading, LLC, Tulsa, Okla.*, is being awarded a maximum $81,664,374.89 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for direct supply natural gas delivery. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Federal Civilian Agencies. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 37 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance is Sept. 30, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-08-D-7501).
EBV Explosives Environmental Co., Joplin, Mo., was awarded on Jul. 15, 2008, a $15,301,687 firm-fixed price contract for demilitarization of multiple launch rocket system M26 basic rocket and/or compounds. Work will be performed in Joplin, Mo., and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Seven bids were solicited on Dec. 21, 2007, and three bids were received. U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-08-C-0398).
ILC Dover, Inc., Frederica, Del., was awarded on Jul. 16, 2008, an $11,645,635 firm-fixed price contract for faceblanks, nosecups, eye lens retainer rings, front voicemitters and external drink tubes. Work will be performed in Frederica, Del., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Jun. 17, 2008. U.S. Army TACOM, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-08-C-0139).
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
July 16, 2008 - Two U.S.-military sponsored economic reconstruction programs are helping to put thousands of Iraqi citizens into productive jobs while boosting the country's business activity, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said today. In March 2007, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, directed his officers to find ways to provide jobs and increased opportunities for economic expansion, entrepreneurship and skills training for the people of Iraq, recalled Army Maj. Gen. Timothy McHale, director of personnel, logistics and resources for Multinational Force Iraq.
The successful Iraqi First LOGCAP and Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone programs are direct results of Petraeus' directive, McHale said.
"Both of these programs are focused on contributing to Iraq's economic progress and security," McHale pointed out.
The Iraqi First LOGCAP program provides a conduit for Iraqi businesses to sell their products and services to coalition customers, McHale explained.
"We are striving to put Iraqis first in purchase decisions," McHale noted. LOGCAP, he said, is the name of the military logistics contracting and purchasing system.
LOGCAP is the coalition's largest service contract in Iraq, and is a prime example and one of the programs in which Iraqi First is being applied, the two-star general said.
"We are working to direct more and more jobs supporting this contract to Iraqis," McHale continued. "In addition, we are directing more purchases of products to Iraqi suppliers. The goal is to have Iraqi workers and Iraqi suppliers to be a significant part of our military logistics support."
Today, about 3,700 Iraqi citizens are holding jobs as part of the Iraqi First-LOGCAP program, McHale said. At some installations, he noted, Iraqi citizens make up more than 50 percent of the work force.
"We are working every day to open up more jobs on more bases to Iraqi citizens, and we expect to add thousands of jobs over the next several months," McHale said, noting Iraqis are working in skilled positions such as construction, carpentry, masonry, welding, plumbing, electrical work, well-drilling as well as many types of general-labor positions.
"Iraqis also have a growing presence in both professional and administrative positions," McHale said. A new initiative, he noted, is exploring ways to hire Iraqis through Iraqi-government-sponsored vocational-technical schools.
The Iraqi First-LOGCAP program is also about buying Iraqi products for use on coalition bases, McHale said, noting the U.S. military in Iraq has bought more than $182 million worth of Iraqi products and services over the past year.
"While these products were available elsewhere, we chose to buy Iraqi goods and services," McHale said. Buying Iraqi-made products creates new jobs for the people of Iraq, he observed. For example, he said, a recent business transaction with an Iraqi plastics factory resulted in the reopening of three plastic-bag production lines.
LOGCAP-affiliated purchases have involved more than 200 Iraqi vendors providing thousands of items and products, McHale said. Iraqi-supplied goods and services, include construction materials, metals, tools, heating and cooling equipment, as well as maintenance, laundry and food service and supply services.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone program, called IBIZ, continues to help Iraqi entrepreneurs to do business with the U.S. military, McHale said.
"IBIZ is a program that provides secure locations on or next to coalition-force bases for privately owned, small and medium sized Iraqi businesses employing Iraqi workers," McHale explained. The program, he said, injects money into the Iraqi economy while boosting social stability by providing jobs to Iraqis so that they can support their families.
IBIZ-affiliated ventures employ more than 1,400 Iraqis with annual salaries totaling more than $10 million, McHale reported. Successful businesses that participate in the IBIZ program include building trades, vehicle-repair, retail shops, cement and asphalt, metal cutting, trucking and generator repair.
"We also create a work force and business foundation for transitioning support to the Iraqi security forces or to the society of Iraq," McHale said.
The IBIZ program is growing, McHale said, noting it is now being implemented on 11 coalition bases, with plans to expand it to 14 bases this summer.
Turkey shocked by allegations in Ergenekon indictment
“The indictment against the shadowy Ergenekon group went to court Monday (July 14th), following a 13-month-long investigation. […] The indictment claims Ergenekon has tried to develop chemical and biological warfare and was behind drug trafficking in Turkey.” (Southeast European Times; 16Jul08; Ayhan Simsek)
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2008/07/16/feature-01
Vietnam suspects anthrax in mass food poisoning
“Health authorities in communist Vietnam suspect the bacterial livestock disease anthrax caused an outbreak of food poisoning in the country's far north […] Hundreds of people fell ill, and at least one person died, after eating beef in a village in Meo Vac district in the mountainous Ha Giang province near the Chinese border” (France 24; 16Jul08) http://www.france24.com/en/20080716-vietnam-suspects-anthrax-mass-food-poisoning
Update on USAMRIID [U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command] biodefence project
“Integrated BioTherapeutics has received a five-year NIH research grant to develop human antibody therapeutics against staphylococcal enterotoxin B, a bacterial-derived toxin from Staphylococcus aureus. The project is a continuation of a biodefense-related project initiated by USAMRIID, an organization of the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, in September 2006 using AbD Serotec's custom monoclonal antibody services IBT will use a selection of Hucal-based antibodies originally generated by AbD Serotec against staphylococcal eneterotoxin B in in vitro and in vivo experiments […]” (Laboratory Talk; 16Jul08) http://www.laboratorytalk.com/news/aib/aib117.html
Hizbullah Gears Up For War, [Israeli Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert Asks for UN Help
“Arab reports indicate that Hizbullah is preparing to arm its rockets with chemical warheads and to build extensive fortifications. Defense Minister Ehud Barak blames the Syrians […] Adding further weight to Defense Minister Barak's declaration is an article in the Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyasa, which reported Monday that Hizbullah has acquired chemicals needed to make weapons such as nerve gas or mustard gas from North Korean suppliers.” (Arutz Sheva; 14Jul08; Nissan Ratzlav-Katz & Pinchas Sanderson)
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/126842
Sarin that leaked Friday should have been destroyed
“The sarin nerve agent that leaked at the Blue Grass Army Depot on Friday should have been destroyed two months ago, under a plan approved in January. But the agency responsible for neutralizing the agent has not even started constructing the facility for the destruction. […] ‘Literally, we are moving as fast as we can,’ said Richard Sloan, spokesman for the depot. ‘It may look like a turtle in the middle of a race, but we are moving as fast as safety dictates.’ […] Sloan said the leak wasn't a danger to the community or the environment, and the igloo will remain under continuous filtration to ensure that vapor doesn't leak into the atmosphere.” (Lexington Herald-Leader; 15Jul08; Ashlee Clark) http://www.kentucky.com/178/story/461070.html
8-inch shells being moved for disposal at Umatilla
“Workers at the Umatilla Chemical Depot storage have begun moving 8-inch VX-filled artillery shells to the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility. Last month, workers at the facility finished destroying the last of more than 32,000, 155mm VX-filled artillery shells. Now, the plant machinery has been reconfigured to start work on the 8-inch diameter shells. ‘The work is moving along fairly quickly,’ said Jim Hackett, an Army public affairs officer at the depot. All of the VX stockpile should be destroyed by early 2009, barring any unforeseen delays, he said.” (Tri City Herald; 16Jul08; Mary Hopkins) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/241045.html
Army recycles PackBots to sniff out chemicals
“The U.S. military has been working on a new use for old PackBots that will save soldiers time and aggravation, though not replace them completely, when it comes to chemical warfare. With new Foster-Miller Talon and 510 PackBot models being introduced, the old PackBot models will be rotated out of use in combat. […] The new/old PackBot, called a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Unmanned Ground Vehicle or CUGV for short, will be ready for field use this fall, according to the U.S. Army. It's been fitted with a lightweight chemical detector to sense nerve gas, among other things.” (C Net News; 15Jul08; Candace Lombardi) http://news.cnet.com/8301-17912_3-9991461-72.html
FADC [Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee]: Hand out gas masks immediately
“Israeli civilians are unprepared for nonconventional attacks, warned prominent members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Tuesday afternoon, blasting the defense establishment for ignoring calls to fix the situation. […] Committee chairman MK Tzahi Hanegbi (Kadima) and MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud), chairman of the Subcomittee for Readiness, held a press conference during which they called on the government to begin immediate distribution of gas masks to the public. […] Hanegbi was more cautious, arguing that the risk of chemical attack was low, but adding that ‘even unlikely scenarios could occur, and thus we must urgently act to hand out the masks.’” (The Jerusalem Post; 15Jul08; Rebecca Anna Stoil) http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215330981793&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
JR in terrorist attack exercise
“More than 200 staff from Oxfordshire emergency crews took part in a terrorist training exercise yesterday in which nerve gas was released on a coach on the M40. Although those taking part were not dealing with a real-life incident, managers said lessons were learned from the largest exercise of its kind to take place at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. Emergency crews worked alongside staff at the hospital in Exercise Orpheus II, which was overseen by the Government's Health Protection Agency.”
(Oxford Mail; 16Jul08; Andrew French)
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.2399494.0.jr_in_terrorist_attack_exercise.php
Government: [Government Accountability Office] Report says it's taking too long to secure radioactive material
“The government is taking too long to secure radioactive materials across the country that could get into terrorists' hands, according to a government report. […] Experts believe such an attack would be contained to a small area but could have significant psychological impact and have serious economic consequences because of cleanup problems. […] In a probe last year that set up a bogus company, investigators said they were able to obtain a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that allowed them to buy enough radioactive material for a small dirty bomb.” (Chicago Tribune; 15Jul08; Eileen Sullivan) http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-dirty-bomb-materials,0,1174417.story
ICx Technologies Wins $2.5 Million Contract for identiFINDER Radiation Detectors for the 2008 Beijing Olympics
“a developer of advanced sensor technologies for homeland security, force protection and commercial applications, announced today that it has won $2.5 million in contracts to supply identiFINDERs to the Government of China […] IdentiFINDERs are handheld, radioisotope identification devices (RIID). Every identiFINDER is able to rapidly locate, accurately measure and precisely identify sources or contaminations from gamma and neutron radiation. The units are able to differentiate between dangerous radioactive materials, medical and naturally occurring radioisotopes, such as bananas.” (Trading Markets; 15Jul08; Vicki Contavespi) http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1759052/
Homeland Security Office fighting to keep nukes out [of the U.S.]
“The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on domestic defenses against nuclear attacks. Chairman Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) said that nuclear detection architecture, the responsibility of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), is of great importance because it prevents nuclear terrorism before it can happen. […] Charles Gallaway, deputy director of the DNDO, said the measured three-step approach applied to three layers (threats overseas, at the border, and within the country), helped the U.S. become safer from nuclear attacks now than it was three years ago.” (Talk Radio News Service; 16Jul08) http://talkradionews.com/2008/07/homeland-security-office-fighting-to-keep-nukes-out/
Report says terrorists can smuggle nuclear materials into U.S.
“Three years and $5 billion later, federal authorities have failed to effectively block terrorists from smuggling nuclear materials into the United States, according to a report by congressional investigators. David Maurer, an acting director at the Government Accountability Office, is scheduled to testify today before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that the three-year-old Domestic Nuclear Detection Office lacks an ‘over-arching strategic plan’ to prevent nuclear material from being smuggled into the country. […] ‘If a terrorist or rogue state somehow gains possession of a nuclear device and intends to use it against the United States, we are in big trouble,’ [Bob] Nesbit [a member of the Defense Science Board] said in prepared testimony given to the committee.” (The News-Times; 16Jul08; Peter Urban) http://www.newstimes.com/ci_9893850?source=most_emailed
Scientists to confer on global catastrophic risks
“A group of scientists from around the world will hold a first of its kind conference Thursday on global catastrophic risks, according to media report Wednesday. They will discuss what should be done to prevent these risks from becoming realities that could lead to the end of human life on Earth as we know it.” (China Daily; 16Jul08) http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2008-07/16/content_6851931.htm
MPs [Members of Parliament] inquiry into UK's non-proliferation strategy
“The Foreign Affairs Committee announced Tuesday it was launching an inquiry into the British govt's non proliferation strategy. […] The Committee will consider the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. It will also consider the role of ballistic missiles.”
(Mathaba; 16Jul08)
http://mathaba.net/news/?x=598649
Parliament to get N-shield soon
“Highly placed sources have revealed that the joint parliamentary committee on security has recommended protection from nuclear and biological weapons for Parliament House. […] A state-of-the-art air filtration equipment — which can counter chemicals unleashed in a nuclear, biological or a chemical weapons attack — will be installed.”(The Economic Times; 15Jul08) http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Parliament_to_get_N-shield_soon/articleshow/3235416.cms
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
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