Responding to the Unthinkable: A Radiological Detonation Device Explodes in the Homeland (Center for Strategic Leadership, Issue Paper, Volume 12-04, October 2004)
Abstract
The leadership of the United States has emphatically stated "it's not a matter of if, but rather when another terrorist attack will occur." Therefore, in the future, maybe distant or not so distant, the United States' political and military leadership may have to face actually responding to "the unthinkable": a successful radiological attack by terrorists within the borders of the Nation. A terror event of this magnitude makes the already challenging security environment even more daunting. This new style of attack is indeed different from past threats characterized by force-on-force conflict across borders with enemies and friends that were known and open warfare that now seems so straightforward and in comparison simple. The new security challenge is different and very complex and grows from the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive (CBRNE) capabilities throughout the world. These can create weapons in the form of clandestine devices, to be delivered by a state, or more than likely by non-state terrorist networks. This new and growing threat greatly complicates the defense of the homeland. With this changing security environment in mind, the United States Army Ear College conducted a focused workshop to explore the Army's potential roles associated with the possibility of the "unthinkable" happening in the very near future. Over 100 participants from local, regional state, and federal agencies and departments, as well as players from throughout the U.S. military came together at the Center for Strategic Leadership on Carlisle Barracks to review present plants, policies, procedures, and developing programs to respond to a hypothetical CBRNE attack within he borders of the United States. Three different attack scenarios were presented--one biological, one radiological and one nuclear. This paper addresses the workshop's finding related to response to a radiological attack.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA430124
Entities
People
- John Tanzi
- Michael Pasquarett
Organizations
- United States Army War College