I think these guys have been training with the Metropolitan Opera.
Posted on 04/13/2008 4:32:44 AM PDT by markomalley
| New York, Apr 13, 2008 / 02:28 am (CNA).- Massive security operations will protect Pope Benedict XVI in his visit to New York City, including bomb-sniffing dogs, rooftop snipers and hovering helicopters, CBS News reports.
"The closer you are to those locations, the more you are going to feel the effects of it," said NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. A reporter asked Kelly if the security for the visit will be like a United Nations General Assembly, followed by a parade, followed by a presidential visit, Kelly said “yes.” On Friday the Pope’s visits to the United Nations, the Park East Synagogue, and St. Joseph’s Church will clog the streets of New York. In addition a “frozen zone” will be established around St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Those entering the zone will need tickets and a security check. The U.S. Secret Service said that crowds can view the Pope as he drives north from St. Patrick’s Cathedral along Fifth Avenue to 72nd Street, continuing on to St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers. "From the moment he lands in the United States we will be involved in transportation and the popemobile is here and will be utilized in both Washington D.C. and here in New York," said Brian Carr of the Secret Service, according to CBS News. Though security measures will resemble those established for Pope John Paul II’s 1995 visit, there will be a highly visible uniformed police presence and bomb-sniffing dogs on the streets. Harbor units and scuba divers will be stationed in the East River, and police helicopters will patrol overhead.
"Many of these measures have become part and parcel of our protection of New York since Sept. 11," Kelly said. "While we are not aware of any specific threats to the pope during his visit, we are obviously cognizant of the fact that Osama bin Laden in his latest videotape was critical of the pope." The NYPD, the Secret Service, and the Vatican Swiss Guard will all be on security duty when the Pope is in New York City. On Sunday, when the Pope visits Ground Zero and celebrates Mass at Yankee Stadium, officials say mass transit will provide the best transportation. |
> The NYPD, the Secret Service, and the Vatican Swiss Guard will all be on security duty when the Pope is in New York City.
I read somewhere that, like the French Foreign Legion, the Vatican Swiss Guard is one of the better elite forces in the entire world. Made up entirely of Swiss mercenaries, all of whom must have had training in the Swiss Army prior to service with the Vatican.
By reputation, the Swiss Army is very good, though I am unaware of their war-making capabilities being tested in anger any time recently. Or the Swiss Guard, for that matter.
Does anyone know how/where they train? Do they train alongside the EU, or some other force?
They do the bulk of their training within the Vatican (as you said, they all had to have their Swiss Army out of the way prior to volunteering for this duty); however, I understand they do their weapons training at local Italian Army/ Carabinieri ranges in the Lazio area.
“The NYPD, the Secret Service, and the Vatican Swiss Guard...”
Uh oh! Three different languages! English, Fedgovese, and Swiss. Not good!
A member of the NYPD, the Secret Service, and the Vatican Swiss Guard walk into a bar...
I thought I saw a member of the Swiss Guard on the subway last week, but it was only a Beefeater.
Note to Pope,,, stay out of turban driving taxi’s!~
The Swiss Guard actually trains with a variety of the SpecFor from all over the world. I know they have done joint training with SEALs and SAS.
It’s worse than you think. Switzerland uses 4 “official” languages: French, German, Italian and Rumantsch.
I don’t know where you’re from, but New Yorkers don’t speak English, they speak a very odd, rude gesture filled, slurred polyglot thing that if you’re REALLY paying attention you can self-translate into English. (I won’t even mention “Joisey”...)
Of course, the FEEBS and SS will be speaking bureaucratese, so the “leaders” will be able to understand each other.
/sarc (mostly)
I think these guys have been training with the Metropolitan Opera.
Hi there Don,
I’m from Manhattan, I know about the Swiss languages, and I was being facetious.
Tragically, there’s no tag for that!
Romansch is Latin-based so it makes some sense! At least it does if you speak a little German too.
I encountered the Swiss Guard at Vatican City and they are all large and in charge. The ones I saw made Arnie look like Mr. Peepers.
The only group that would perhaps be more terrifying would be Ghurka, who can come up behind you so quietly that you don’t realize you have been beheaded until you try to turn your head.....
I would add the ROK Marines to that list too.
. . . the uniforms weren't designed by Michelangelo, as is often asserted. But the fantastical dress was typical for the time -- the German Landsknechts, who were pretty tough cookies, also dressed like that --
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