Force Protection in the Wake of the Dhahran Bombing
Abstract
In past decades, the Air Force has been a target of terrorism and this trend promises to continue into the immediate and possibly distant future. This research project provides a general historical analysis of Air Force efforts in antiterrorism and force protection policy and programming since the early 1980s. It examines two significant cold war terrorist attacks and resulting Air Force policy and programming changes designed to deter the threat. It then looks briefly at the post-cold war environment, its effects upon antiterrorism efforts, and how it led to the Khobar Towers bombing in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. A review of the main points of the Downing Task Force report (commissioned by the Secretary of Defense following the bombing) provides a look into the facts and deficiencies that surrounded the attack as well as recommendations to improve antiterrorism and force protection. The key element woven into the Task Force report is a new emphasis on joint responsibilities in dealing with force protection. The results of this analysis are designed to provide policy-makers historical trends in antiterrorism programs and to highlight the importance of maintaining these programs in any environment as well as in fiscally austere times.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA397949
Entities
People
- Eugene A. Robinett
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College