Identity Crisis: Defining the Problem and Framing a Solution for Terrorism Incident Response
Abstract
The date is July 17, 1996. Emergency services personnel from Suffolk County, NY and the United States Coast Guard respond to a report of a catastrophic explosion and the crash of a passenger airliner over the ocean off the southern coast of Long Island. The initial assumption is a nexus to terrorism. The East Moriches Coast Guard Station is designated as the operations command post, staging area, and evidence collection point. As the incident shifts from response to recovery, personnel from various response disciplines and levels of government stream into the station. Among them is Lieutenant Colonel David Williams of the U.S. Army Reserve. LTC Williams, dressed in his U.S. Army Reserve flight suit, presents identification, enters the site, and assists in the operation by landing helicopters on the designated helipads. On the third day of his work, LTC Williams is questioned concerning his identity and affiliation. Following a brief investigation, LTC Williams is identified as an impostor, escorted from the property, and charged by the Suffolk County Police.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA484119
Entities
People
- Mark Landahl
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School