Officials: Intelligence warns of aircraft attacks

CNN ^

[jwalburg]

Officials say it may never be known if a terror attack was prevented. CNN's Kelli Arena reports. WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In the past 48 hours, the United States has received new intelligence that suggests a threat of possible terrorist attacks against the United States using aircraft, government officials told CNN on Friday.

[SpottedBeaver]

Security has been increased in Houston, Texas, ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday, though that event was not mentioned in the intelligence. That is what we have been hearing here. London or Paris >>>> Houston. I hope they are wrong...

[jwalburg]

Security should be pretty tight, I'd think. Makes sense, though.

[COEXERJ145]

Both Air France and British Airways fly to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). On Sunday, BA has one flight from London Gatwick to IAH with a 777-200ER. Air France has one flight from Charles de Gaulle to IAH also using a 777-200ER.

I'm sure there will be Combat Air Patrol over Houston on Sunday and any aircraft that goes off course will be visited by some F-15/16's.

[DoctorZIn]

ping

[SpottedBeaver]

Not just visited, but their presence known… I would hope that a fully loaded F16, tilting their wings would be enough to deter any threat.

[Bobby777]

unfortunately, the terrorists still win if an F-15 has to shoot down a civilian airliner ... let us hope it does not come to that (as I'm sure you meant) ...

[OneTimeLurker]

Good point.

[Bobby777]

with sports stadiums, I worry about more conventional techniques ... like what was used by those in Saudi Arabia that hit the Khobar Towers ...

I hope they check (and I'm sure they will) all truck-type vehicles at the gates and inspect the cargo ... and keep all others several hundred feet away from the main structure ...

I don't think the terrorists can commandeer another commercial flight ... Americans (even the Chinese) are profiling regardless ... we know where the primary threat comes from ...

[risk]

The terrorist threat is really not as serious as some are saying, though. [/sarcasm]

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

And people here wonder why I don't trust that creep on national security.

[Dallas59]

In any event....F16's flying over the Superbowl will make a great halftime show.

[gonzo]

The Obvious Solution to Air Piracy!

And it was available on Sept 12, 2001!!............FRegards

[My Dog Likes Me]

The NFL can't detect a cellphone placed inside of the padding of a goal post before a game.

Just a thought.

[nevergore]

A Private Jet, (Gulstream, Lear, Hawker) could easily for a short time evade the F-15's, 16's & 18's if it was on a suicide mission to hit the Superbowl.

Possible scenario, look for a private jet scheduled into a surrounding Houston airport (within 20 natical miles of the Superbowl) diving to almost ground level at full throttle until it reaches the dome, this would take approx. 120 to 160 seconds till impact once the plane diverted.....Tom Clancy anyone?

For more impact terrorists could load the aircraft with explosives an/or radioactive material. With a direct hit and a heavy load of fuel, the Superbowl would cease to exist. The Bowl shape of an areana would amplify the blast within the structure.

Our security forces have their hands full....Several hundred private and chartered jets are scheduled into Houston this weekend. There is no security for them in either boarding, screening or baggage.

These concerns were with us during last year's Superbowl and amounted to nothing. But our enemy is patient and we cannot let our guard down.

God Bless the USA and our Troops!

NeverGore

[Lessismore]

All you need to do is create some disturbance in the stadium that will cause the sheeple to run for the exits.

On national TV, they'll pile up like turkeys at a fence in a rainstorm.

[WVNan]

That is seriously scary.

[gonzo]

"...Several hundred private and chartered jets are scheduled into Houston this weekend. There is no security for them in either boarding, screening or baggage..."

"...These concerns were with us during last year's Superbowl and amounted to nothing. But our enemy is patient and we cannot let our guard down..."

Never fear, nevergore. There IS security in place, and it starts with the filing of a flight plan, a required item for a private jet of any kind.

Nobody could get near the bowl location without a working transponder, and no-one gets 'under' the radar.

I expect the folks at the game will have quite the high-altitude air show............FRegards

[nevergore]

Sorry Gonzo...As a commercial instrument rated pilot I know the system well.... a filed flight plan doesn't provide security just a path and destination...file it to any airport surrounding Houston...once you are within 20 nautical miles of the Superbowl, deviate your flight plan...180 seconds away from impact at full throttle.

The transponsder is turned on and off by the piolt and is part of the preflight. Again, just turn the switch off...

FAA radar doesn't cover to the ground but usually several hundred to a thousand feet above the ground. The radar on military jets get's confused with ground clutter and is somewhat ineffective in trying to identify targets close to the ground. A visual identification for target aquisition is darn near impossible with the time constraints.

Heck, Departure Control in Atlanta (ATL)doesn't even pick up my transponder until I'm amost 1200ft out of Cobb County Airport (RYY)....

About the best defense we could put in place is a Patriot Missle Battery around the Superbowl perimeter and hope for a quick reaction from the crew.

There is NO security for private aircraft. If you feel secure then the feeling is based on faulty data.

NeverGore