Posted on 09/22/2001 3:08:14 PM PDT by Reagan Man
Sources tell TIME that U.S. officials suspect that bin Laden conspirators may have been planning to disperse biological or chemical agents from cropdusting planes
Saturday, Sep. 22, 2001
New York -- U.S. law enforcement officials have found a manual on the operation of cropdusting equipment while searching suspected terrorist hideouts, government sources tell TIME magazine in an issue out on Monday, Sept. 24th.
The discovery has added to concerns among government counterterrorism experts that the bin Laden conspirators may have been planning — or may still be planning —to disperse biological or chemical agents from a cropdusting plane normally used for agricultural purposes.
Among the belongings of suspected terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui, sources tell TIME, were manuals showing how to operate cropdusting equipment that could be used to spray fast-killing toxins into the air.
The discovery resulted in the grounding of all cropdusters nationwide on Sunday Sept. 16th. The dusters have been allowed back up, but are not allowed to take off or land from what traffic controllers refer to as Class B airspace, or the skies around major cities.
One senior official cautions that because corroborative evidence is lacking the FBI does not place "high credibility" in the notion that the hijackers were in fact exploring the idea of stealing or renting cropdusters. However, the FBI is advising members of a crop-dusters' group to report any suspicious buys of dangerous chemicals in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks.
Last week, the National Agricultural Aviation Association, a crop dusters trade group, posted a message from the FBI to its membership: "Members should be vigilant to any suspicious activity relative to the use, training in or acquisition of dangerous chemicals or airborne application of same including threats, unusual purchases, suspicious behavior by employees or customers, and unusual contacts with the public. Members should report any suspicious circumstances or information to local FBI offices."
At 8PM, on The Learning Channel (TLC), there is a not-to-miss porgram, a 2-hr commercial-free, "Behind the Enemy"; some dates in there should be noted.
One of my early thoughts the morning of the 11th too.
Ultra-Lights, Small fabric skinned aircraft powered by engines comparable to large chain-saw engines or small snow-mobile engines. Cost; for an outright purchase would be (guessing) $5,000-$10,000. Could carry a payload of a "few" hundred pounds.
Hot Air Balloons, Cost; similar to ultra-lights, with a greater payload. Balloon ride could be rented for a nominal fee of $100-$200. The pilot could be taken out soon after launch...
Para-Planes, Motorized para-chute with a propeller driven by a small engine comparable to an ultra-light. Cost; (guessing) under $5,000. Payload of a couple hundred pounds at most.
Para-Chutes, Limited range (depending on exit altitude and winds aloft), limited payload (200lbs. approx.). Cost; under $5,000. Would need a means to reach altitude. Hot air balloon, helium balloon (see below), aircraft, etc. Would provide stealth arrival on target (freefall).
Hang Gliders, Limited range and payload. Low cost. Rentals available. Considering the above examples, this method would be one of the least desireable.
Sail Planes, Limited range and payload. Low cost. Rentals available. Some stealth qualities.
Helium Balloons, This is probably the hardest to detect and stop. Weather balloons (5' approx.) combined for the proper lifting capability. Low cost.
A truck driver actually pulled off a flight with several weather balloons attached to a lawn chair !!! He had a BB gun that he used to initiate a descent by shooting holes in the balloons. Commercial pilots spotted him at 17,000' over Los Angeles in their air corridor.
If terrorists want to terrorize the USA, there are numerous ways to get it done. I have just thought up several aerial applications. Others may arrive at different methods of aerial application. Surely the terrorists can do likewise. The evil doers have shown us that their commitment levels are high. Where there is a will there is a way. Our country has to become far more vigilant in detecting terrorists BEFORE they enter our borders.
PROFILE ! PROFILE ! PROFILE !
And with ever increasing frequency, they have been told to eff off. More and more, people are refusing to bow at their PC altar.
Too bad. There is no constitutional right not to have your feelings hurt.
I freaked last weekend, wrote it off to paranoia.
I freaked the first time it happened, several years ago, and actually called the airport.
NOW, I want to know who's piloting that plane. Time to call the airport again.
Yes, the Emir of Kuwait seems to have had a stroke over it and went to London. The king of Saudi Arabia is sick, as well. He and members of the royal family got the hell out of Dodge.
The Rooster Cogburn (one-eyed guy) who heads the Taliban has boogied into a secret cave.
They apparently DON'T love the smell of napalm in the morning.
Like this:
<i> stuff goes between these </i>
Sheesh. Give the FBI some credit for being on top of this stuff! It took me about 10 minutes to find the information I just found up there in 159. I guess THIS thread will get yanked now.
It is worth the time to go to a farming area to watch an ag plane in action. Very skilled pilots. Most have a cutter bar up the center of the windshield to cut the barbed wire when the come in too low into a fence. You really can skim the tree tops and hug the field surfaces to completely evade any radar.
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