US plans to use elite Delta Force commandos on flights

AFP | 9/13

[oxi-nato]

WASHINGTON, Sept 13 (AFP) - The US authorities plan to draft in elite Delta Force commandos to help protect civilian planes, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said Thursday.

"We are asking for expeditious treatment and action by the Department of Defense to give us some Delta Force folks," he told a news conference, announcing a reopening of US airspace from 1500 GMT.

"They are already trained on high-risk situations and it would not take that much more training to put the Delta Forces on the airplane," he added. "We are hoping to augment federal air marshals with Delta Forces."

[Wyatt's Torch]

Any idea how many Delta personnel there are? They can augment but I can't imagine it will be nearly enough.

[ladtx]

I don't think so.

[japaneseghost]

Let the guys from Red Cell on the planes. Forget the Army. Too nice.

Trust me, you want Navy A**holes on those planes.

[JohnGalt]

They did such a great job at Waco.

[pabianice]

Wishful thinking. If all of Delta Force were used, they couldn't cover even one-half of one percent of daily US airliner flights. Their only practical use would be psychological.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Now is the time for ALL TRUE Americans to UNITE and stand behind President Bush!
Any political differences should be put aside during this time of America's darkest hours.
UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

God Bless America!
V is for VICTORY!
What We as Americans Can Do
1) Pray
2) Give blood and whatever else the Red Cross calls for.
3) Support our military and law enforcement.
4) Never talk to ANYONE
in person, on a phone line, in an e-mail, in a chat room,
on an internet instant messenger or post on any forum
any military troop movement information or law enforcement information
that would endanger our troops or hinder law enforcement efforts.

LOOSE LIPS SINKS SHIPS!

[Ditto]

Seems like "overkill" if you pardon the expression.

[LSJohn]

Bad idea.

Sky Marshal duty is extremely boring and Delta Force personnel are not psychologically equipped to handle a job which which is 99+% sit-and-do-nothing.

Aside from boredom the job will not be difficult. Almost any NCO or junior officer can handle it. The "Delta Force" name was invoked only because it's sexy and implies the most aggressive/least intrusive step. Pure cosmetics.

[dirtboy]

Glad to see someone in government is using their brain, although this is probably in violation of Posse Comatus. I guess that law will just wither on the vine under these circumstances.

[tracer]

"Delta is ready when you are..............."

[dirtboy]

The "Delta Force" name was invoked only because it's sexy and implies the most aggressive/least intrusive step.

Disagree. Delta Force is trained in hostage situations. They are probably the section of the military with the training most like that needed for aircraft hijack situations.

[agrandis]

"We are hoping to augment federal air marshals with Delta Forces."

Wouldn't be the first time federal agents have been augmented by Delta guys. I wonder if some of them would be the same ones who were at Waco.

[Tree of Liberty]

I'm suprised that they actually used the words "Delta Force". I believe that it's still a classified organization, and they're generally refered to as "operators" or "d-boys".

[JeepInMazar]

This is silly.

If only half the flight crew on each flight were armed with a handgun and some basic training, each of these attacks could have been avoided.

[oxi-nato]

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT BUT MAYBE THEY ARE DRAFTING PLANS IF A AIRPLANE IS HIGHJACKED THAT UNITS WILL BE READY AND PRE-DEPLOYED TO RESPOND IN SOME WAY LIKE THAT ONE MOVIE WHEN THEY USED THE F-117 TO ENTER THE CRAFT OR SOMETHING!!!

[Squantos]

In the 70's GI's were used until Air Marshal's were trained during the rash of Cuban Hijackings etc etc. As far as ODA-D (delta) being used for such it's viable they will "augment" other's from FLEA/LEO/DOD world until "Air Marshal program's" are back on line....for good this time .

I'm of the experience that "they" will be busy elsewhere with a reach out and touch a terrorist program of their own hopefully.

Stay Safe...

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Any idea how many Delta personnel there are?

Delta doesn't exist, just ask the army. wink wink

[Registered]

Let's just put a couple of burly guys with military shaved heads on every flight. That ought to do it.

[freeeee]

I don't think using military as domestic law enforcement is a good idea.

Alexander Hamilton's warned that that war or the threat of war:

"will compel nations the most attached to liberty to resort for repose and security to institutions which have a tendency to destroy their civil and political rights. To be more safe, they at length are willing to run the risk of being less free."

I urge everyone to read this article, "Fight the Right War".