Posted on 01/22/2004 10:40:58 PM PST by Destro
U.S. Base in Greece Stockpiles Equipment
Thu Jan 22,11:11 AM ET
By MIRON VAROUHAKIS, Associated Press Writer
SOUDA BAY, Greece - The U.S. military base in Greece is stockpiling emergency medical equipment to dispatch if terrorists strike with biochemical or radiation devices during the Olympics.
The rapid response unit at the Souda Bay Naval Base on the southern island of Crete is part of an international network being assembled to help safeguard the Aug. 13-29 Games — the first summer Olympics since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
"If the commander of the base calls me ... to assist the locals in any situation, I would respond," base fire chief Bruce Goodwin told The Associated Press this week.
Greek organizers are looking to NATO (news - web sites) allies and others to bolster unprecedented Olympic security, which already carries a record price tag of more than $750 million and could approach $1 billion if threats increase.
Souda Bay, a harbor and airfield, could play a pivotal role in the worst-case scenarios — terrorists unleashing biological or chemical weapons or using a "dirty bomb," a conventional device spreading radioactive material.
Meanwhile, Greek premier Costas Simitis said Thursday that preparations for the Games are entering a "critical phase," and could leave a lasting imprint in the country.
He described the coming months as the "the last, but most critical phase, of the Olympic preparations" and could help bring much-needed "modernization ... in many areas."
Souda Bay is one of four U.S. naval bases in Europe and 10 worldwide that have received training and equipment for emergency response teams to deal with a biochemical or nuclear-related attacks.
For the Olympics, the base could have decontamination sites and field hospitals up and running in a few hours, said base commander, Capt. Stephen B. Sale.
"The goal is to reduce the risk and increase the capability to respond," he said.
Greece is putting together a 200-member team for biochemical or other attacks, but Souda Bay also offers significant backup support. Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou also has said NATO allies will be on alert during the Olympics to intervene if a crisis erupts.
The Olympic security network during the games will include AWACS surveillance planes and 10,000 military personnel working alongside 40,000 police officers.
Greek security and military forces plan exercises Feb. 6-8 to test the country's ability to deal with a hostage situation at sea or a terrorist attack involving biological, chemical or nuclear weapons.
Also taking part in the drills will be Greece's national center for contagious diseases and other medical experts. Representatives of a seven-nation Olympic security advisory group — which includes the United States, Britain and Israel — will observe the exercises.
A larger security drill planned for March will involve an undisclosed number of American military personnel. The 20-day operation will include simulated terrorist threats and other scenarios before the Olympics.
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