Methods & History of Attack
The 2000 attack on the USS Cole (DDG 67) and the 2018 attacks on Saudi Arabian vessels are historical examples of this specific improvised explosive device type.
What is a Small-boat Attack Improvised Explosive Device (or Small Boat IED)?
This initial phase kickstarts the operational cycle timeline and narrows focus down to a specific asset or asset group.
What is Target (or Target Selection)?
This FPCON level indicates a general global threat of possible terrorist activity exists.
What is FPCON Normal?
This specific type of model depicts how threat forces prefer to conduct operations under ideal conditions based on their known doctrines.
What is a Threat Model (or Threat Assessment)?
This outermost defense zone typically lacks defined boundaries and is focused purely on detecting and identifying contacts.
What is the Assessment Zone?
The 1995 Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system represents this category of terrorist threat
What is a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threat?
Potential targets are put under close surveillance during this phase to evaluate risk, vulnerability, and probability of success.
What is Reconnaissance?
This condition applies when an increased general threat of activity against personnel and facilities exists, though the nature remains unpredictable.
What is FPCON Alpha?
The purpose of this specific assessment process is to identify and prioritize every critical asset located on an installation
What is a Criticality Assessment?
Security forces are legally required to search all apprehended suspects prior to this action to ensure safety.
What is transport (or transporting them)?
Active shooter incidents in Chattanooga, San Bernardino, and Fort Lauderdale all occurred within this specific three-year span.
What is 2015 to 2017?
Once the surveillance assessment data is gathered, this phase is executed to refine the specific method of attack and lock in the objective
What is Select?
The primary operational goal of this robust security program is to completely deter, detect, and disrupt terrorist attacks by hiding routines.
What is RAM (Random Antiterrorism Measures)?
This assessment identifies the physical features or operational procedures that render critical assets open to known terrorist capabilities.
What is a Vulnerability Assessment?
Security forces utilize this middle layer zone to interact with contacts, classify threats from nonthreats, and determine hostile intent.
What is the Warning Zone?
Tecate (Baja California), Russia's Khmeimim Airbase, and a Venezuelan event in Avenida Bolivar all saw this highly modern threat variant employed in 2018.
What is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) attack?
During this phase, specific TTPs are locked in, logistics are finalized, and additional validation surveillance is conducted to familiarize cells with the plan.
What is Refine?
This condition is set when an incident occurs or intelligence indicates that terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.
What is FPCON Charlie?
The commander's sequential process for organizing, planning, and executing defensive operational activities consists of this many logical steps.
What are six steps?
This innermost defense layer is organized to bring maximum destructive fire from Crew Served Weapons to bear on targets while minimizing fratricide.
What is the Threat Zone?
Mumbai (2006, 2008), London (2004, 2005), and Brussels International Airport (2016) are all classified under this complex tactical designation.
What is a Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack?
This specific phase occurs when personnel and resources are fully in place and the terrorist elements actively deploy to the site for tactical execution.
What is Ready?
This maximum defensive condition applies when an attack is imminent or has occurred, and its unique measures cannot be sustained indefinitely.
What is FPCON Delta?
Following Course of Action (COA) analysis and wargaming, this step must be completed prior to developing the finalized AT protection plan.
What is COA comparison and approval?
During a vehicle inspection producing reasonable suspicion, all retained ID papers and dangerous items must be turned over using these documents.
What are chain of custody documents?