STATE OF ALASKA
DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT 03-365 (as of 11:00 AM December 31, 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 · Sentries at roadblocks along the Dalton Highway inspecting every vehicle bound for the North Slope oil fields. National Guard soldiers patrolling the state Capitol in Juneau. The road to the Valdez oil tanker terminal closed to the public. Across Alaska, security has been beefed up, in some cases noticeably, in recent days in response to elevated concerns about more terrorist attacks in the United States. In classified discussions with federal homeland security chief Tom Ridge last week, Gov. Frank Murkowski learned of a general alert that al-Qaeda might be planning a holiday attack on a well-attended event or a chemical or energy facility, said Tom Burgess, director of the state Division of Homeland Security. Despite no "corroborated threats" specific to Valdez or any other Alaska location, Burgess said, state officials decided to ramp up protections for oil facilities around the state. More... The National Weather Service Fairbanks has issued winter weather warning for the following: Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne. High wind warning for cape Lisburne today through New Year’s Day. South winds gusting to 50 mph at Cape Lisburne will increase to 60 mph by this evening and continue into New Year’s Day. The winds will begin to diminish Thursday night. The National Weather Service Anchorage has issued a winter weather warning for the following: A blizzard warning is in effect through Thursday morning for Thompson pass and surrounding higher elevations. Winds 35 to 45 mph with stronger winds gusting to 55 mph are expected to continue into Thursday morning. This will cause blowing snow and reduced visibility to one-quarter mile or less. Favorable conditions will remain into Thursday morning for the strong winds blowing snow and near zero visibility. National Situation · U.S. authorities from coast to coast were on heightened alert today for signs of possible terrorist attacks at New Year's Eve celebrations, as the nation's alert status remained at high, or Code Orange. New York City will marshal thousands of police officers and are setting up magnetometers, or metal detectors, to screen the hundreds of thousands of people who attend the annual Times Square celebration. More... · A retired Army general will oversee military tribunals for suspected terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, including approving charges. Chosen for the job was John D. Altenburg, Jr., who retired as a two-star general in 2002. His last military assignment was assistant judge advocate general for the Department of the Army. None of the 660 suspected terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay has been charged, and although the Pentagon has not said when it expects to begin military trials, the first is expected soon. It would be the United States' first use of military tribunals since World War II. More... · A woman allegedly tried to choke a federal air marshal after she became disruptive on a flight from Pittsburgh to Minneapolis. The air marshal approached the woman, who was allegedly intoxicated, vocal and obnoxious aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 1057 on Tuesday. After the woman continued to be disruptive, she tried to choke the marshal in a later exchange. She also kicked the marshal in the groin and bit a law enforcement officer after she was escorted off the plane. The flight landed at 8:30 p.m. at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with the woman in handcuffs. She was led off the plane by police and placed in federal custody. More... · Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge said the government will combine about a dozen terrorist watch lists into one next year. Ridge said that the interagency Terrorist Screening Center, run by the FBI, now is carrying out the watch list function. Officials from several agencies at the center check numerous databases to determine if an individual appears on a terrorist watch list. Law enforcement, intelligence, and homeland security agencies maintain at least 12 separate watch lists for various purposes, according to the General Accounting Office and other sources. Congress months ago directed the Homeland Security Department to create a single terrorist watch list. More... International Situation · France is taking a leading role in agreeing to Washington's request to deploy armed air marshals on flights over flying U.S. airspace. Meanwhile, airlines from Spain and Britain were poised to join Mexico, Canada and Germany, who have already put armed guards on flights, in using sky marshals. Under a new directive by U.S. Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, the U.S. government would have the option of denying access to U.S. airspace to airlines unless they put an armed officer on flights crossing over or headed to the United States. More... Significant Dates Dec 31, 1968 Philippines: Marxist-Leninist Party Founded; The Marxist-Leninist Communist Party of the Philippines was founded.
Jan 1, 1964 Israel, Middle East: Fatah Day; The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded at a meeting in Jerusalem. |