Posted on 09/21/2002 10:21:18 PM PDT by VaBthang4
A Military Assessement of the Al Qaeda Training Tapes
Assessment by an unnamed source at Fort Benning
Initial Assessment
The tape was apparently produced for Al Qaeda internal use and did not appear to be an external propaganda production.
The tape showed Al Qaeda operatives engaging in a number of training exercises including small arms firing ranges, live-fire room entry, and numerous mixed live-fire/role-player type of scenarios.
Scenarios included: Assassinations, kidnappings, bombings, and small unit raids on various types of targets. The training depicted in these scenarios was clearly for export according to an intelligence expert that commented on the tape. "None of these training scenarios depicts the type of fighting that Al Qaeda engages in within Afghanistan."
Detailed planning, diagramming and walk-thru are followed by live-fire exercises were the norm.
There was a lot of role playing, scenario type of interactions.
The role players made aggressive moves simulating resistance at various points throughout the scenarios. All such resistance was met with immediate and brutal countermeasures by the terrorists. There was no presumed compliance on the part of the terrorists.
The effort to produce detail and realism in training was impressive.
These people are using extremely effective training methods!
The following points were seen REPEATEDLY and ROUTINELY throughout the training exercises:
Use of standard military small unit tactics with Multiple elements. (Assault, Security, and Support elements)
Coordination with sub-elements via hand-held FM radios.
Use of pick-up trucks by the assault element to conduct raids/ assassinations (shooters concealed in the bed of the truck).
Use of motorcycles by the security element (as well as in the historical role as a shooting platform for drive by shootings/assassinations).
Use of explosives upon withdrawal from the objective.
Use of vehicle horn (signal withdrawal / initiation of explosives).
Detailed planning and rehearsal of all actions.
Exercise of prisoner handling procedures, from initial contact, to search and control, to the execution of the prisoners. Role players could be heard begging not to be killed (in ENGLISH). Terrorists practiced commands in ENGLISH also.
Multiple man room entries. Typically one or two, 2-man teams that assumed a back to back position near the center of the room.
Distraction devices used prior to room entry. Fuse lit devices (improvised?)
Multiple breach points into structures and into individual rooms.
All scenarios were practiced live-fire, including those that involved role players. Paper targets and role players were interspersed in the same scenarios. (The terrorists showed good muzzle awareness and control.) The weapons handling was NOT haphazard. All terrorists operatives carried and fired their weapons using the same techniques. Some specific weapons handling idiosyncrasies are:
Handguns were carried in the high ready. Long guns (AK variants) were carried and fired rotated 90 degrees (ejection port up)
Specific Scenarios
Targeting of law enforcement officers in ambush / assassinations.
Faked disabled vehicle with shooters concealed in trunk of car or bed of truck. When the officer stops his vehicle behind the "disabled" vehicle assault is initiated by driver blowing the horn. Target was first engaged with rifle fire from the vehicle, terrorists then debussed to administer "coup de grace" at close range. An explosive device was thrown into the law enforcement vehicle on exfiltration. This was on of a number of scenarios that were shown first as a diagram and explanation, then progressing to dry fire walk through and finally to a live-fire exercise. Target location was shown as a 6 lane divided highway with the terrorist vehicle located just prior to the exit/cloverleaf (to allow multiple exfiltration routes and security overview.) There aren't any such highways in Afghanistan and damn few anywhere in the Middle East. In one iteration of this scenario the security/overwatch element was exercised firing on possible responding law enforcement officers.
Residential assassination. Innocuous looking person (weapon concealed) knocks on the door of a residence. Stands in view of the peephole and answers questions from the resident through a closed door, when the resident opens the door the terrorist draws and fires, emptying his weapon into the victim.
Assassination on a golf course. Target was on the green (at the pin/flag). A Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) was fired at a vehicle adjacent to the green (VIP security element?) to initiate the hit. Target was then engaged with rifle fire.
Two and four-man live-fire room entry (2-man back to back technique) with target discrimination (shoot/no shoot targets).
Raid on compound (Kidnapping), one person taken, Initiated with an RPG. Initiation was when Guard Shack was taken out with grenades. Primary target building was engaged with an RPG. Primary target building was entered through multiple breach points (through explosive breach of wall and through windows.) Exfiltration was by truck with motorcycle security element in overwatch positions.
6.Drive up kidnapping of target walking down the street.
7.Use of tunnels/storm drains/sewers for infiltration and exfiltration during raids.
Rappelling from roof of building to make entry on upper floors was shown on more than one occasion.
Motorcycle drive-by target practice. Shooter stands up on rear pegs and extends arms over driver. Excellent muzzle awareness and control.
Grenades thrown into second story windows by Motorcycle drive-bys. Multiple scenarios/exercises involved raids on buildings with a large number of occupants (school or office building?)
Raids followed a standard pattern:
Covert/surreptitious entry into building and movement to initial points. (Rifles hidden on persons and in bags/cases carried into building.)
Initiation with extreme violence of action. Any resisters are shot.
Immediate positive control and search of prisoners. Any resisters, or anyone they don't like the look of, are shot.
Segregation of prisoners into manageable groups. (Explosives were displayed to gain psychological dominance over prisoners.)
Movement of selected prisoners in small groups to the roof where terrorists posture and make statements for the press/cameras.
ALL SCENARIOS involving prisoners ended in execution of the prisoners and none included a plan for exfiltration of the terrorists. They plan to kill the prisoners and to die in place. The major take home lesson here is that although the enemy is known to be seeking the ability and opportunity to use weapons of mass destruction and of an unconventional nature, such as hijacked airliners, they are also spending a lot of time training to carry out attacks the old fashioned way. Attacks executed by small groups of dedicated personnel equipped with little more than small arms.
Conclusions and Recommendations
There is information to the effect that the "perfect day" as seen by Al Qaeda would combine attacks designed to produce the maximum number of casualties with attacks that would give them the opportunity to get "face time" on the news channels to deliver their rhetoric. For maximum effect these attacks would take place nearly simultaneously at multiple geographically separate locations.
We need to address, in training and in personal preparation, the differences between a typical criminal victimization and a terrorist incident in terms of early recognition and appropriate response. I.E. The typical bank robbery vs. finding yourself in the middle of a terrorist attack on a "financial institution" (as per the recent FBI warning.)
If you find yourself in the middle of one of these attacks, there will not be time for the SWAT team to intervene on your behalf. Compliance will buy you only a very little time. If you are identified as a potential problem to the terrorists you will be shot! (They are training to spot Law Enforcement, Military, Security, and Corrections Officers as well as armed citizens.) If, by feigned compliance, you make it through the first cut you can expect to be physically restrained and then controlled with threats to the rest of your group and to the other groups. "We will blow up the women and children in the next room if any of you do not do exactly as we say!“ Based on the tape your ultimate fate, if you do not resist, is to be ritually executed in front of the television cameras.
The best time to act is most likely to be at the initiation of the attack. Once the terrorists are consolidated on the objective it will be very difficult to take effective action. You must plan on providing effective resistance at the first opportunity! Shoot, move and communicate. Seek cover, use your weapon as required. Attempt to acquire a better weapons system at the first opportunity (do you know how to place an AK into operation?)
Keep in mind that before any terrorist action there are many opportunities to interrupt their cycle by detecting their pre-mission activities. This is where we all can be of assistance. Pay attention to what is going on around you as you go about your daily business. Investigate and report any unusual or suspicious activity that you observe (note vehicle make and model, license plates, personnel descriptions, etc.)
The Buffalo 8 were in this kind of camp. They had this kind of trainuing. Now, their lawyer are claiming that they are just " innocents ", who thought that they were on a " religious " holiday.
I say : THROW THEM IN JAIL AND THROW THE KEY AWAY !
Those who don't like / aprove of the TIPS program, need to read this. There are sleeeper cells all over this country. The members have been trained this way. They ARE going to attempt any / all of these things and we need need to get them before they actually do this .
Yup, following 9/11 Freepers were issuing this exact same advice, along with advice to prepare supplies for extended interruption to civil services like water and fuel. It's still good advice!
Are they now pitching snowballs in Hades ? LOL
There is information to the effect that the "perfect day" as seen by Al Qaeda would combine attacks designed to produce the maximum number of casualties with attacks that would give them the opportunity to get "face time" on the news channels to deliver their rhetoric. For maximum effect these attacks would take place nearly simultaneously at multiple geographically separate locations.The unstated assumption of this Al-Qaeda operational thinking is an enemy that remains on the defensive: holed up in guardhouses, or riding along fat, dumb and happy. In a world where they are hunted, this training will be much less effective. Their tactics as described are too expensive and dangerous. They require vehicles, shooters with current proficiency, explosives, communications and the implied surveillance assets to get get their setups right. That and egress plans, safe houses, documents and the like. Good in the Clinton era; not so good now.
There are states, like Washington and Oregon, where half the eligible citizenry packs concealed firearms under CCW laws. Robbers pull out a gun and so do half the customers. That is really discouraging to a criminal.
Think it will be discouraging to women and baby killers?
However, given my observations and experiences in life, I must also note that I think the following examples from Liberia are exceedingly telling and potent. I still pray that President Bush and believers in his inner circle would have the humility and courage to do something similar as outlined in the following paragraph. The liberal PC folk who would scream the loudest--be consigned to the Godless sphere they seem to crave so much--i.e. be damned (if they refuse to be enlightened and face reality).
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The following is from:
"ANZAC Prophetic List"
AT:
WEBSITES:
Dreams and Visions Supersite-
http://crash.ihug.co.nz/~revival/index2.html
AND
'NZ Revival' prophetic Supersite-
http://crash.ihug.co.nz/~revival
Andrew Strom, Thunder Ministries, PO Box 12-1022,
Henderson, NEW ZEALAND 1008.
[Andrew is Chris Strom's son--not father as was stated in an earlier post.]
[EMPHASIS ADDED BY Q]
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The prayer initiative took place simultaneously in 14 of Liberia's 15 counties. Christians of all groups gathered to pray for the healing of their broken land. President Taylor, who attended the 3-day conference, stated "I cannot help you. I am not powerful enough - but God is. He gives me my strength." Together with intercessors,
Bishop Jimmy K. Dugbe, Chairman of the Liberia for Jesus Prayer Crusade, says that
says Jeff Montanari, a guest from the Rock Christian Network, USA.
"This is the largest event I have seen in my life," commented Moses Zelba, Liberia's Vice President. Other leading members of the Government declared that Jesus is the only hope for Liberia. One of the high points of the prayer initiative was the President's statement "I tell you: over me is one greater than I. This authority is Jesus Christ. Not I am your President, but Jesus."
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WHOLE ARTICLE:
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From: "Julian N. Paton"
Send reply to: bobhall@cmd.org.nz
[ F R I D A Y F @ X: Issue 36, September 13, 2002 ]
LIBERIA: "Jesus is your President, not me!"
According to a number of reports, churches in the West African state of Liberia are growing as never before. AFNET, a strategic church planting ministry in Africa, reports that a nation-wide missionary initiative has begun, in which all of the nation's Christian churches and groups are cooperating to bring the gospel to the entire nation through planting new churches.
Prayer against civil war
Observers point out the connection with a national prayer initiative - a historical conference that took place in early 2002 in the capital, Monrovia. 75,000 people, including the President Charles Ghankay Taylor, gathered in the Samuel K. Doe sports complex (which was built to hold only 35,000!). The prayer rally was organised by churches as a response to the civil war started by the separatist group "Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy in Liberia" (LURD) three years ago. Liberia was founded by freed slaves almost 200 years ago. CBN.com's Victor Oladokun reports that poverty, violence and civil war have killed almost 200,000 people in the past two decades.
One greater than the President
The prayer initiative took place simultaneously in 14 of Liberia's 15 counties. Christians of all groups gathered to pray for the healing of their broken land. President Taylor, who attended the 3-day conference, stated "I cannot help you. I am not powerful enough - but God is. He gives me my strength." Together with intercessors, Taylor lay on the ground to repent for the nation's sins and ask God for healing. Bishop Jimmy K. Dugbe, Chairman of the Liberia for Jesus Prayer Crusade, says that the President donated US$100,000 to help finance the event. "I have never before seen a President dedicate his nation to God and lie on the ground in front of such a crowd," says Jeff Montanari, a guest from the Rock Christian Network, USA.
"This is the largest event I have seen in my life," commented Moses Zelba, Liberia's Vice President. Other leading members of the Government declared that Jesus is the only hope for Liberia. One of the high points of the prayer initiative was the President's statement "I tell you: over me is one greater than I. This authority is Jesus Christ. Not I am your President, but Jesus."
Prayer and fasting saves the nation
James Cuffee, Director of Christ Evangelical Fellowship Ministries in Liberia, a church with some 2,000 members, believes that prayer and fasting hindered even greater catastrophes in the nation. Only a few days after the prayer initiative, the Liberian Army was able to drive the LURD rebels, who had advanced to within 20 miles of the capital, back to Guinea, 200 miles north, where they have their base.
To join or leave the List email prophetic@revival.gen.nz
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Q NOTE: I HAVEN'T KEPT UP ON IT IN RECENT MONTHS/YEARS. I assume that all sides of the Liberian problems have plenty of blood on all their hands. Nevertheless, As Christ said, those who are fogiven more Love more. I pray Pres. Taylor's public humility and contrition continues in many acts of healing and restoration in the months following. Certainly his public demonstration of his heart attitude is a LOT more convincing than 100 times what BILLDO and SHRILLERY have ever done.
In any case, the above narrative is a demonstration of what fasting and prayer and unity of all who Love and earnestly follow Christ can do for a city and a nation. Let us not be duped by the enemy into minimizing the potency of such efforts. Satan knows that such efforts are supremely potent and far more potent than a million times all the atomic arms in the whole world. No wonder he spends so much time trying to dinigrate them and neutralize them. We ought to spent at least a sizeable fraction of that time demonstrating we believe God and invest in their potency with our acts of prayer and fasting.
Some may flinch at the idea of President Bush doing something similar. . . . They may talk about pride in America; no kowtowing; no wimpishness etc. etc. etc. . . . we were the ones wronged etc. etc.
Such rationales, though understandable, miss some crucial points IMHO.
We are not, as a nation, as a people, as a group of believers--we are not lily white by any stretch of the imagination. It does not matter a great deal HOW MUCH BETTER we are than those terrible sinners OVER THERE. God is interested in WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING WITH THE GRACE, FREEDOMS AND ABUNDANCE HE HAS BLESSED US WITH LOW THESE MANY YEARS.
And for so many of those years, so many of our countrymen have been flinging God's priorities and values back in His face; giving God the finger and going our merry way with rampant infanticide and a list of other selfish activities.
We have plenty to lie face on the ground about.
But actually, to prostrate one's self on the ground is an act of supreme courage as well as supreme humility. It is the courage to say I'm not perfect. I've been wrong. Our nation has been weighed in the balance and found wanting and I beg of God His mercy instead of His judgement.
I believe Bush has the courage and many other qualities sufficient to do such a thing if suffient prayers are sent up in his behalf and if people around him would give him such wise counsel.
I also believe that we haven't seen God move in behalf of this nation as He would most likely move in response to such a thing. Talk about awesome--we would begin to see some awesome.
But perhaps the belivers in lots of public ministries around the country need to demonstrate for our President how one might earnestly go about such a thing. And, sadly, I think that is almost more unlikely than that Bush would do such a thing. I think many of them are too consumed with pride to dare do such a thing.
So, we have our work cut out for us--praying; fasting as led--and praying some more--in tongues if you feel led but however, to pray as ongoingly as you can.
We are far from out of the woods with Iraq, with terrorism, with reaping what we've sown; with China; with drought; with storms; with a list of challenges facing us and the world.
Each of us needs to renew our confession to Almighty God that we are helpless and worse apart from His sustaining Love, Salvation, His LifeBlood and Resurrection power.
Perhaps you should create a thread with this information and simply link it...while commenting on the original article.
Otherwise it smacks of highjacking a thread. That is rude...and not a witness.
Dont let your Good be Evil spoken of.
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