STATE OF ALASKA
DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT 03-358 (as of 11:00 AM December 24, 2003) Homeland Security Advisory System – National Level: Orange-High U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Homeland Security Advisory System – Alaska Level: Orange-High Alaska Division of Homeland Security
State Emergency Coordination Center Preparedness Level: 2-Heightened Sense of Awareness Alaska Division of Emergency Services
Military installations in Alaska are at FPCON B.
Current Internet Threat Level: 1-Regular Vigilance Internet Security Systems
State Emergency Coordination Center (SECC) Operations: To reach the SECC dial (907) 428-7100 or 1-888-462-7100, 24 hours per day. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has a web site available for information on emergency topics at http://www.ak-prepared.com and Homeland Security information at http://www.ak-prepared.com/homelandsecurity/. For further information: Countries: U.S. State Department Background Notes. Maps: United Nations Cartographic Section Terrorist Groups: Background Information on Foreign Terrorist Organizations Background Information on Other Terrorist Groups. State of Alaska Situation Port Heiden Erosion United States Air Force's (USAF) Major Hewett said that grave exposure due to erosion and tidal surge has been eliminated for now. Approximately ten grave sites have been located, none in imminent threat. The ground penetrating radar (GPR) has worked well in assisting in locating grave sites. Of the grave sites identified, all appear to be in caskets. The USAF team will return to Port Heiden on January 2, 2004. National Situation · The government is increasingly focused on the vulnerability of cargo planes as it responds to intelligence indicating al-Qaeda might use aircraft to strike targets far from major cities, including power plants, dams and oil facilities. Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had broadened air patrols throughout the country, while the Transportation Security Administration said it had increased inspections of cargo companies to ensure compliance with tighter rules enacted last month. Extra law enforcement added to the perimeters of airports in the past three days was specifically put in place to fortify air cargo facilities. More... · The Virginia jury that spared the life of teen sniper Lee Boyd Malvo was apparently sharply split, with five jurors favoring a death sentence but others saying he was too young to be executed. The jurors decided Tuesday -- after nine hours of deliberation over two days -- to sentence the 18-year-old to life without parole for his role in the Washington-area sniper slayings. More... · The Bush administration acted Monday to financially paralyze two foreign entities and an individual believed to be providing money for al-Qaeda’s terror network. The Treasury Department added to its list of suspected terrorist financiers: Vazir, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Travnik, Bosnia; a key representative of the group, Safet Durguti; and Hochburg AG, a company located in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. The department's designation freezes any of the three's financial assets in this country. It also means they are prohibited from conducting financial transactions in the United States and bars Americans from doing business with them. The United States and Saudi Arabia also asked the United Nations to add the three names to its blocking list, which is honored by member countries. More... International Situation · The French Government has ordered the cancellation of three Air France flights to Los Angeles following a security alert. The cancellations were requested by the US embassy in Paris - which mentioned fears of a terror attack. The services were scheduled to fly from Paris to Los Angeles today. The cancellations come amid a huge security operation at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Private vehicles have been banned from the terminals amid fears of a terror attack. More... · Authorities in Bahrain urged Americans to avoid crowded areas while in Turkey police warned that militants have infiltrated to organize attacks on U.S., Israeli and other Western interests over the Christmas season. The moves abroad come after the U.S. government warned that al-Qaeda could attack soon. More... · An explosion killed at least four people and injured more than 30 others Tuesday in an apparent attack on a crowded bus in northwest Colombia. Authorities were investigating whether there was a bomb inside the bus, or if explosives were activated as the vehicle passed a rural road outside the town of Taraza in Antioquia state. More... Significant Dates Dec 25, 1979 Afghanistan, Russia: Invasion by Soviet Troops.
Dec 25, 1982 Senegal: Casamance Movement Founded; MFDC, the Casamance Separatist Movement, was founded. Armed attacks by the group have occurred on this date, to mark the anniversary of the founding of the MFDC. Dec 26, 1893 China (People's Republic of): Birthday of Mao Ze Dong. The birthday of Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong has been marked by the Sendero Luminoso (SL) guerrilla organization by terrorist attacks. Dec 26, 1968 Philippines: Founding of the CPP; Founding of the Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) by Jose Maria Sison. The next Situation Report will be published as of 11:00 AM, December 25, 2003. If there is significant change in the situation or the threat level, a report will be published when the change occurs. Direct questions regarding this report to Jerry J. Koenig at 907-428-7049 or jerry_koenig@ak-prepared.com. |