DoD Ready to Assist in Event of Homeland Attack

[cb88]

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2004 – The Defense Department stands ready to assist
authorities at the federal, state and local levels in the event of another
terrorist attack on the homeland, a senior DoD official said here April 8.

In prepared remarks delivered to Armed Forces Communications and Electronics
Association members, Peter F. Verga said the Office of the Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Homeland Defense "is responsible for DoD's support to civil
authorities for domestic incident management," such as during attacks on the
homeland.

Verga, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for homeland
defense, noted that another DoD entity, the assistant secretary of defense for
special operations and low-intensity conflict, "is responsible for DoD's
support to the State Department, which has the lead for foreign consequence
management."

In the event of a chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological attack on the
United States, Verga said, the Joint Task Force Civil Support in Norfolk, Va.;
the Joint Task Force Consequence Management East at Fort Gillem, Ga.; or the
Joint Task Force Consequences Management West at Fort Sam Houston, Texas -- all
under U.S. Northern Command -- "would be available to provide command and
control of forces in support of civil authorities."

"We are working to strengthen DoD and civilian capabilities and surge capacity
to address multiple, simultaneous CBRN attacks in the United States," Verga
said.

Another important element defending the homeland involves intelligence and
information sharing, Verga pointed out. To this end, he noted DoD is working
closely with the FBI, CIA and other members of the intelligence community "to
maintain maximum awareness of potential attacks against and emerging threats to
the United States."

For example, DoD is "a full partner" in the Terrorist Threat Integration
Center, Verga said. The TTIC, he noted, is "a multi-agency joint venture"
created in May 2003. It "integrates terrorist-threat related information,
minimizing any seams between analysis of terrorism intelligence collected
overseas and inside the United States, to form a comprehensive threat picture."

Each day, Verga continued, TTIC "coordinates terrorist threat assessments with
partner agencies," including DoD, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, CIA and
State Department.

In a terrorist attack on America, NORTHCOM -– which defends land, air and sea
approaches to the United States -- would also provide support to U.S. civil
authorities, Verga noted.

This, he explained, would include "military support to civilian law enforcement
agencies, military assistance for civil disturbances, and incident management
operations in response" to an attack using weapons of mass destruction.

The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, he noted, monitor sea approaches to America and
"patrol international waters and our territorial seas."

DoD's role in border security involves providing support, particularly to the
Department of Homeland Security, "when appropriate," Verga said. DoD maintains
quick- and rapid-reaction forces for this purpose, he added, and these Army and
Marine forces would operate under NORTHCOM's command and control.

Verga said DoD maintains "excellent" working relationships across the
Department of Homeland Security. For example, he cited the 64 people assigned
within DHS who provide critical intelligence and communications specialties.

DoD also has an around-the-clock presence in DHS's operations center "with
direct connectivity back to DoD for rapid response."

This year, Verga said, DoD is enhancing its partnership with DHS by
establishing a liaison office within DHS headquarters.

The Defense Department also is developing a "comprehensive" homeland defense
strategy for the 21st century, Verga said. That plan, he noted, will "provide
the framework for pursuing operational capabilities to prepare for tomorrow's
challenges."

[Caldric]

Originally Posted by cb88

This, he explained, would include "military support to civilian law enforcement
agencies, military assistance for civil disturbances, and incident management
operations in response" to an attack using weapons of mass destruction.
.....

The Defense Department also is developing a "comprehensive" homeland defense
strategy for the 21st century, Verga said. That plan, he noted, will "provide
the framework for pursuing operational capabilities to prepare for tomorrow's
challenges."

Do not know about others but I find this very disturbing, to say the least. Actually I find it criminal and just another step in the direction of stomping on the US Constitution by this Administration and its minions. Roll on Asscroft and your destruction of the United States civil liberties and the destruction of the bill of rights.

Posse Comitatus Act 1878


CHAP. 263 - An act making appropriations for the support of the Army for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, and for other purposes.

SEC. 15. From and after the passage of this act it shall not be lawful to employ any part of the Army of the United States, as a posse comitatus, or otherwise, for the purpose of executing the laws, except in such cases and under such circumstances as such employment of said force may be expressly authorized by the Constitution or by act of Congress; and no money appropriated by this act shall be used to pay any of the expenses incurred in the employment of any troops in violation of this section And any person willfully violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be punished by fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or imprisonment not exceeding two years or by both such fine and imprisonment.

10 U.S.C. (United States Code) 375

Sec. 375. Restriction on direct participation by military personnel:

The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to ensure that any activity (including the provision of any equipment or facility or the assignment or detail of any personnel) under this chapter does not include or permit direct participation by a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps in a search, seizure, arrest, or other similar activity unless participation in such activity by such member is otherwise authorized by law.

18 U.S.C. 1385

Sec. 1385. Use of Army and Air Force as posse comitatus

Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of
Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to
execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.


They are using a little loophole on Nuclear Attacks. Bastards.