Inside the Denver JTTF, Part 1: Vigilance Against Terrorism

It was September 2009—a few days before the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks—when the Denver Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) received word that a Colorado resident and al Qaeda recruit was about to carry out a major terrorist attack. The jihadist needed to be located with the utmost urgency.

“We got the call on Labor Day,” recalled Special Agent John Scata, who supervises one of Denver’s two international terrorism squads, “and we immediately began working around the clock.”

Using the JTTF’s multi-agency approach to conducting investigations and gathering and sharing intelligence, task force members located Najibullah Zazi and helped track him to New York City, where he intended to become a suicide bomber in the subway system around the time of the 9/11 anniversary. “If we hadn’t found him in Denver as quickly as we did,” Scata said, “he might have gone into the wind and things could have turned out differently.”

Zazi and two of his high school classmates had previously traveled to Pakistan to receive al Qaeda training, including how to make bombs. His self-described plot to “weaken America” by killing innocent subway riders has been characterized as one of the most serious terrorist threats to the U.S. since the 9/11 attacks.

“Zazi is part of the spread of homegrown violent extremism in America,” said James Yacone, special agent in charge of our Denver office. “He was trained internationally but he became radicalized in the U.S. through the Internet. He was planning and facilitating his attack in Colorado, but his target was New York City.”

The plot was foiled thanks to an all-out effort by law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world. Much of that effort was focused through Denver’s JTTF, which is comprised of more than 20 local, state, and federal agencies. There are actually three separate squads that form the task force—two that deal with international terrorism and one that concentrates on domestic terrorism.

Begun in 1994, Denver has one of the Bureau’s oldest JTTFs (our New York office established the first in 1980). “Our task force is very active,” said Yacone. “The Zazi case was well publicized, but our squads handle many other counterterrorism investigations—international and domestic. Protecting the country from terror attacks is the FBI’s number one priority.”

The JTTF’s team concept works well, Yacone explained. “All the local and state police officers and detectives on the task force have the same clearances that our agents do. They sit side by side, work together, and have the same access to all our resources.” More than 100 FBI-led JTTFs located around the country are organized the same way.

John Nagengast, a detective with Colorado’s Aurora Police Department, is a JTTF task force officer who worked on the Zazi case. “I am basically a local cop who deals with local crime,” he said. “Working the Zazi case opened up my world to the threat of terrorism.”

Nagengast explained that “a lot of entities were involved in the investigation, including the military and the intelligence community—and the Denver JTTF was central to the operation. We were ground zero for the Zazi investigation.” He added, “I got to see very quickly how the Bureau, locals, and state law enforcement came together with agencies around the world to prevent this attack. It was amazing to be a part of it.”

Denver: Crossroads of the Country

Denver’s JTTF is extremely active, said Special Agent in Charge James Yacone, because “we have a very large territory, a significant international footprint, and we are geographically located at the crossroads of the U.S.”

Contained within the Denver office’s area of responsibility are:

- Seven major military bases;

- About 400 defense contractors with security clearances who work on classified government projects;

- A constant stream of international visitors and students who come to the region for business, research, and academic pursuits; and

- More than 1,000 high-tech companies.

“All of those things require us to maintain a constant vigilance against terrorists and other extremists who would do us harm,” Yacone said. “That’s why the JTTF is critical to our operations and to the safety of the country.”

Next: The Colorado fusion center—a key JTTF partner.

Philadelphia Man Charged in Colorado for Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization

DENVER—Bakhtiyor Jumaev, age 45, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested this morning without incident by members of the Philadelphia FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Department of Justice announced today.

Jumaev was charged by criminal complaint in the District of Colorado with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorism organization, specifically, the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU). If convicted, Jumaev faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. The defendant made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, where he was advised of his rights and the charges pending against him.

The FBI has been conducting an investigation into the activities of Jumaev and his associate, Jamshid Muhtorov, who was arrested in January 2012 on similar charges. According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Jumaev and Muhtorov pledged support for the IJU and Jumaev sent funds to Muhtorov specifically intended for the IJU. The IJU is an extremist organization that is responsible for a number of attacks and bombings, including attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan. The IJU has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of State as a foreign terrorist organization.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is comprised of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in cities across the country, including the FBI’s JTTFs in Philadelphia and Denver. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania assisted with this matter. The investigation was also aided by the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

Jumaev and Muhtorov are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Holloway.

The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Denver Man Pleads Guilty to Providing False Information Related to a Terrorism Offense

DENVER—Matthew O’Neill, aka Matt O’Neill, age 52, of Kremmling, Colorado, pled guilty earlier this week to one count of providing false information related to a terrorism offense, U.S. Attorney John Walsh, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge James Yacone, and Acting U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Tommy Coke announced today. O’Neill, who was originally charged by criminal complaint on May 27, 2011 and indicted by a federal grand jury on June 6, 2011, will be sentenced on June 4, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. by U.S. District Court Judge Marcia S. Krieger.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on May 25, 2011, a mail room employee with the Colorado Department of Revenue received a legal-sized manila envelope with a return address of “M. O’Neill . . . Kremmling CO”. It was mailed to the “State of Colorado; Colorado Dept of Revenue; 1375 Sherman Street; Denver, CO.” The envelope had postal markings on it indicating that the envelope went through the mail, originating from the U.S. Post Office in Kremmling, Colorado. The mail room employee opened the envelope, stapled documents that were inside the envelope, and routed it to the intended recipient. This process was common for how the Colorado Department of Revenue handled mailed. The recipient placed the envelope on her desk, at which point an unidentified white powder fell out of the envelope onto the desk. The Revenue employee then took the contents to another person’s office. Together they set it on the desk, left the office and locked the door. They then notified the floor manager who immediately contacted the Colorado State Patrol and 911. Believing they had both been exposed to some kind of harmful chemical or biological substance, the two attempted to decontaminate themselves by washing their hands. They then waited for the Denver Fire Department and the Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) team. The building was subsequently evacuated.

The Denver Fire Department’s HAZMAT team entered the building, utilizing proper protective equipment to maintain their safety while dealing with an unknown hazardous material. The team field tested the powder in the envelope, which turned out to be sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). The Department of Revenue’s intended recipient was interviewed and stated that O’Neill has sent several documents that express his views as a sovereign citizen, and that he believes that he does not have to pay state or federal taxes. She further stated that she felt threatened by the contents of the envelope, fearing that the white powder was some sort of harmful substance.

The FBI and a U.S. Postal Inspector interviewed a U.S. Postal employee in Kremmling, Colorado. The postal employee stated that on May 17, 2011, O’Neil was in the facility, filled out documents for certified or registered mail. He then left and re-entered several times before finally mailing the envelope.

O’Neill was questioned on May 31, 2011 by law enforcement. During that interview it was determined that he mailed the package with white powder with hopes of leading the Department of Revenue to believe they were receiving a dangerous biological or chemical agent.

“Those who mail a threat, especially one containing material simulating a biological or chemical agent, will face felony criminal consequences,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.

“All threatening communications are taken seriously, the recipient of these types of threats cannot determine the true nature of the implied, or stated danger,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge James Yacone. “The FBI wants to remind everyone that mailing a threatening communication that contains a hoax of any kind in a parcel will be aggressively investigated. We will continue to respond to such threats, along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, through the combined resources of the Joint Terrorism Task Force.”

Though the powder contained in the mailing was not harmful, the threatening mailings not only constitute a federal crime, but cause alarm to victims and victim institutions,” said Denver Division Acting Postal Inspector in Charge Tommy Coke. “Postal Inspectors will continue to ensure the safety of the U.S. Mail through aggressive investigation of anyone who mails these types of threats—real or hoax.”

O’Neill faces not more than five years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Colorado State Patrol through their investigators assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

O’Neill is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Barrett.

America Supports You: Texans Stock Soldiers' Blessing Store

By Army Sgt. Whitney Houston
Special to American Forces Press Service

Oct. 7, 2008 - Unless they've been through it themselves, few people understand the hardships that U.S. soldiers endure in a combat zone, away from everything familiar in a foreign land, far away from the support systems of family, home and friends. To help troops counteract the effects of being deployed, many devout patriots are providing soldiers a taste of home through donations to the Soldiers' Blessing Store on Forward Operating Base Prosperity in Baghdad.

Army Chaplain (Capt.) Tim Reynolds, a native of Beaumont, Texas, who serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, has collected donations from individuals and charitable organizations across the United States and consolidated them in the store in what he calls an attempt to bless soldiers' lives.

"It's hard for me to quantify, but we've received donations from 20 to 30 states," Reynolds said. "It's a great way to show soldiers that people back home care for them, and it's also a great reminder for them that there are a lot of people that support them back home."

The idea behind the Soldiers' Blessing Store was to provide soldiers who aren't close to a post exchange with a perpetual care package, giving them home-baked goods, reading materials and essentials such as hygiene products.

"A lot of soldiers don't receive care packages on a regular basis, and in this case, it's a continual care package from the people back home," said Capt. Jonathan Hilton, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., who serves with the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

"In addition to that," he continued, "there are a lot of soldiers who are at joint security stations or forward operating bases where there isn't a PX, so when they come here they can come in and get stuff like hygiene products and morale things like books and homemade brownies."

This not only boosts soldiers' morale, but also helps them a little economically as well. "It's just a great thing to be able to do something like this. It's a practical thing to save soldiers some money," Reynolds said.

This huge operation requires a lot of coordination, Reynolds said. Members of his family and many others have worked tirelessly to get the goods, which have an estimated value of more than $40,000, to the store so far.

"My Aunt Merna in Bay City, Texas, has a lot of connections that she works through to get this stuff over here," Reynolds said. "It's like we're doing [those who give] a service by taking their donations. To me that speaks volumes. And believe you me, they get very excited having the opportunity to do this for the soldiers."

Downplaying his own efforts, Reynolds explained that the people back home who have given their time are the true champions of the operation.

"I'm not the hero," Reynolds said. "The heroes are the folks back home. All I do is facilitate and provide an avenue for the folks back home to do their part in supporting our soldiers. Without their help and support, it couldn't happen."

(Army Sgt. Whitney Houston serves in the Multinational Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office.)

Amenities Give Soldiers Home Away From Home in Iraq

By Army Sgt. Rodney Foliente
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 30, 2008 - Although most would rather be at home, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team here are enjoying the comforts and amenities of life at their temporary home away from home. Warhorse soldiers from 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment; Company C of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion; and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Special Troops Battalion are based here.

"This is going to be my new home for the deployment, and it's better here than I thought," said Army Spc. Chau Nguyen, an automated logistics specialist with the special troops battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

Nguyen, who calls Boston home, said the comforts available here help the soldiers deal with being away from home.

Although the camp offers fewer amenities and on a smaller scale than most previously deployed soldiers experienced on their last tour, Camp Echo boasts more features than the Warhorse soldiers expected.

"We'll work as hard as we can to improve the quality of life here. We're at the initial phase right now, but there will be significant changes within the next six months or so," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Erin Langes, Camp Echo mayor, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

Soldiers have access to free laundry services, a free Internet cafe, a phone center, a convenience store, a coffee shop, a movie theater, a Morale, Welfare and Recreation center and a gym. Brigade officials plan to expand the MWR and gym facilities and add more equipment, enlarge the Internet café, phone centers and laundry facility and add a convenience store with concession stands.

Soldiers here live in or are moving into containerized housing units with beds, electricity and air conditioners, though most arrived expecting to live in tents for quite a while. Brigade officials are working on establishing wireless Internet availability at the housing units as well.

Hungry soldiers can fill up at the dining facility, with food available 24 hours a day.

The food is good, with a wide variety of choices available, said Army Spc. Kenneth Hill, a medic with the brigade personal security detachment team, as he played a game of billiards. Hill comes from Columbus, Ga.

"The living conditions are pretty comfortable, and everybody says the quality of life will get better," said Army Sgt. Leif Wood, a senior radar operator with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, attached to 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment.

He'd rather be home, he said, but overall there isn't much to complain about here.

"I think the family members back home should know that we're doing fine and trying to have a good time," said the Colorado Springs, Colo., resident. "They've got things you can do on your off time, and that keeps the morale up."

(Army Sgt. Rodney Foliente serves in the 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)

CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- September 3, 2008

FBI offers $20,000 reward for anthrax hoax [in Savannah, Georgia]
“It's been three years since someone mailed fake anthrax to two employees at the Savannah River Site. The FBI is offering a big reward to find the culprit. A $20,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can help them catch the mailers of an anthrax hoax. In 2005, two letters were sent to two Savannah River Site employees. These computers are linked to the hoax but the FBI is still looking for more evidence. They say, although no one was hurt, they are still taking the threat seriously.” (NBC; 02Sep08) http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/crime/27794584.html

Education bill includes funding program for veterinary schools, colleges
“The Higher Education Reauthorization Bill […] contained a provision establishing a grant program for veterinary schools and colleges to graduate more veterinarians engaged in public health practice and research. […] [Sen. Wayne] Allard [Colorado] cited the importance of the legislation considering how veterinarians are needed to defend the public from the twin threats of zoonotic disease and bioterrorism. ‘The nation's veterinary medical colleges do not have the resources necessary to meet the needs for veterinarians that are vital to maintain public health preparedness,’ […] Veterinary schools and colleges awarded funds from the grant may, for instance, expand certain departments and academic programs, offer concurrent training, or make minor renovation and improvement in classrooms, libraries, and laboratories.” (JAVMA; 02Sep08) http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/sep08/080915s.asp

Development of human antibody fragments using antibody phage display for the detection and diagnosis of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV)
“Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) belongs to the Alphavirus group. Several species of this family are also pathogenic to humans and are recognized as potential agents of biological warfare and terrorism. The objective of this work was the generation of recombinant antibodies for the detection of VEEV after a potential bioterrorism assault or an natural outbreak of VEE. […] For the first time, this study describes the selection of antibodies against a human pathogenic virus from a human nave scFv antibody gene library using complete, active virus particles as antigen. The broad and sensitive applicability of scFv-presenting phage for the immunological detection and diagnosis of Alphavirus species was demonstrated. The selected antibody fragments will improve the fast identification of VEEV in case of a biological warfare or terroristic attack or a natural outbreak.” (7th space; 02Sep08; Martina Inga Kirsch et. al., BMC Biotechnology) http://7thspace.com/headlines/291894/development_of_human_antibody_fragmentsusing_antibody_phage_display_for_the_detection_and_diagnosis_of_venezuelan_equine_encephalitis_virus_veev.html

News from September's Ophthalmology
“Doctors and medical centers across the United States are debating the use of electronic health records (EHR). This month's Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, provides a look at Eye M.D.s' actions and opinions on the issue. […] why is EHR use still limited among U.S. ophthalmologists? Survey respondents cited high initial investments of money and physician time to select and implement an EHR system as the main barriers. Physicians realize that to be highly beneficial, EHR must be in nearly universal use. New government initiatives could hasten this: the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee recently approved health information Technology legislation that would provide incentives for physician adoption of EHR. In addition, the National Health Information Infrastructure initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services is working to build a distributed network of government EHR that would support retrospective research, prospective clinical trials, and early detection of epidemic or bioterrorism disease outbreaks.” (Medical News Today; 02Sep08; Mary Wade, American Academy of Ophthalmology) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119991.php

Virginia allocates Homeland Security funds
“Virginia is allocating more than $23 million in funds for Homeland Security programs throughout the state. Governor Tim Kaine announced the allocations of the Department of Homeland Security funds on Tuesday. He says the funds will help first responders buy resources they need to prevent, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and natural disasters. Among the allocations is more than $9 million to expand and complete a statewide system that provides law enforcement agencies with secure access to regional crime data and counterterrorism tools. Other grants will help prepare state shelters for a mass evacuation and transition to a new emergency medical services system.” (NBC 29; 02Sep08; Source: AP)
http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=8937188

Jellyfish fight terrorists
“Anthrax, plague and small pox are some of the possible pathogens terrorists could use against us; but now, researchers say jellyfish are helping prevent these kinds of attacks. […] this innovative biosensor developed by scientists and engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory can identify harmful bacteria or viruses in the air in less than two minutes. […] ‘I was in the lab with the electric creator,’ Rider, a biologist at MIT, told Ivanhoe. ‘I had mouse cells and the jellyfish DNA, and I frizzed my hair, said please give me life and pressed the buttons -- and the jellyfish DNA went inside the cells, and we had glowing mouse cells.’ The glowing cells reveal the presence of a targeted pathogen.” (Ivanhoe Newswire; 01Sep08; James Harper & Todd H. Rider) http://www.ivanhoe.com/science/story/2008/09/475a.html

The doctor will see you now: Cameras to board ambulances [Sycamore, Ohio]
“In the next few weeks, Sycamore Township and University Hospital plan to test equipment that will allow doctors - in a sense - to be in an ambulance and at the hospital simultaneously. A high-quality video camera mounted inside a township ambulance will allow physicians to see the patient, answer questions and make recommendations to the paramedics, said Fire Chief B.J. Jetter. The community and the hospital will test the equipment free for 30 days. […] It could […] prove useful in a large-scale emergency, such as a disease outbreak or an act of bioterrorism.” (Enquirer; 01Sep08; Carrie Whitaker)
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080901/NEWS01/809010315

Lab upgrade coming
“Barbados' Public Health Laboratory is being upgraded to handle dangerous organisms including anthrax and those responsible for transmitting SARS. Minister of Health David Estwick says this capability is necessary, given the pace and volume of international travel and the movement of goods and services which have the potential to expose the country to dangers previously unknown to the region.” (Nation Newspaper; 01Sep08) http://www.nationnews.com/story/292529420772523.php

Energy-saving bacteria resist antibiotics
“Bacteria save energy by producing proteins that moonlight, having different roles at different times, which may also protect the microbes from being killed. The moonlighting activity of one enzyme from the tuberculosis bacterium makes it partially resistant to a family of broad-spectrum antibiotics, according to a paper published in the September issue of the journal Microbiology. […] ‘An alarming increase in the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of M. tuberculosis has led to an active search for novel drug targets,’ said Professor Nagaraja. ‘Our results may help us to discover molecules to target MurI, to prevent bacteria from making cell walls and develop a successful treatment for a wide range of bacterial infections.’” (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News; 02Sep08; Lucy Goodchild)
http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=41231147

Gaddafi promises Italy privileges after deal
“Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi signed the landmark deal on Saturday in Benghazi to pay €3.4 billion in compensation for misdeeds during its 1911-1943 colonial rule. […] Comparing Tripoli's newly strengthened ties with Italy with thawing relations with the US, Gaddafi said: ‘We are not ambitious to be friends with the US. We just want them to leave us alone and we leave them alone.’ On August 14 Libya signed a deal with the US to settle claims for compensation against each other for bombings.” (Times of Malta; 02Sep08; Source: Reuters) http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080902/business/gaddafi-promises-italy-privileges-after-deal

Colorado suing for quicker destruction of mustard gas
“Colorado is filing suit against the Department of Defense, hoping to force the Army to destroy obsolete chemical weapons stored in the state by 2017. The military has said it could take until 2023 […] Last June, the state issued an administrative order for the Defense Department to destroy the weapons by 2017. Officials said Tuesday they decided to sue in federal court because the military plans to appeal the order.” (KKTV; 02Sep08; Source AP) http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/27792764.html

[Deseret Chemical Depot] DCD plans to build incinerator
“With a 2012 deadline looming for destruction of all chemical weapons stored at Deseret Chemical Depot, depot officials are proposing building a new small-scale liquid incinerator to speed up destruction of GA nerve agent and Lewisite blister agent. However, approval of that plan will depend upon the findings of an environmental assessment, which is currently underway and scheduled to be concluded by December. […] DCD already has two small liquid incinerators, but Reyba said neither was designed to handle the arsenic that is associated with Lewisite.” (Tooele Transcript Bulletin; 02Sep08; Jamie Belnap) http://www.tooeletranscript.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home_top_stories_news&id=212709-DCD-plans-to-build-incinerator&widget=push&article-DCD-plans-to-build-incinerator%20=&instance=home_news_left&open=&

Drill to simulate 'dirty-bomb' attack
“The Defense Ministry will hold a first of its kind exercise this week aimed at preparing commanders for scenarios involving a radioactive attack in Tel Aviv with thousands of casualties. The drill is being run by the ministry's National Emergency Authority, which was established following the Second Lebanon War. The drill will be held on Tuesday at the ministry's headquarters in Tel Aviv. […] A defense official said that while there was a fear that after obtaining a nuclear capability, Iran would fire a ballistic missile at Israel, there was an even greater concern that the Islamic Republic would supply a dirty bomb to one of its proxies - Hizbullah, Hamas or Islamic Jihad - for use in an attack against Israel.” (Jerusalem Post; 31Aug08; Yaakov Katz) http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220186492559&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Prosecutors: Woman had notes on NY sites, attack
“In an attempted-murder indictment unsealed in federal court in Manhattan, prosecutors for the first time publicly named some of the landmarks. The others: the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge and Plum Island, a disease research complex in Long Island Sound. Aafia Siddiqui had notes ‘that referred to a 'mass casualty attack' and to ‘the construction of dirty bombs, chemical and biological weapons and other explosives,’ the indictment said. ‘These notes also discussed the mortality rates associated with certain of these weapons and explosives.’”
(Associated Press; 02Sep08; Tom Hays)
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iob0CmpW16LAl8PgaH3u3hiOGLgwD92UT9SG0

Plastic transistors get wet [developing water resistant transistors]
“Cook up organic transistors from the right plastic and you have chemical and biological sensors that can survive watery environments. Prototypes of the organic thin-film transistor sensors can detect minute amounts of toxins and biological substances in fluid samples.” (Technology Research News; 29Aug08; Source: National Academy of Sciences) http://www.trnmag.com/News/2008/090108/Plastic_transistors_get_wet_--_TRN_090108.html

CNS ChemBio-WMD terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.

Conference Examines Disaster Behavioral Health

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen
Special to American Forces Press Service

July 14, 2008 - The physical consequences of a pandemic influenza in the United States -- potentially millions of people either sick or dead, schools and businesses closed, store shelves empty -- are obviously apparent and top any disaster recovery to-do list. But what about the invisible, not-so-obvious results of a national catastrophe? Specifically, what about Americans' mental health?

That's the question more than 200 mental and behavioral health specialists gathered to discuss at the Continental Divide Disaster Behavioral Health Conference here last week. U.S. Northern Command, along with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and the Colorado Department of Human Services, sponsored the three-day event.

"The idea of disaster mental health, or disaster behavioral health, is kind of a specialty within the area of mental health in general, and it's gaining speed and momentum quickly," said Air Force Lt. Col. Lisa Sayegh, NorthCom's command mental health officer, who cited high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicides and substance abuse after Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005.

"There's a great need for people to be trained and able to respond in a disaster event from a mental health or psychological standpoint," Sayegh said.

Two other prominent issues contributing to increased incidences of mental health disorders in recent years, Sayegh said, are the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the focus on a possible pandemic influenza.

NorthCom, which provides defense support of civil authorities during emergencies or disasters when ordered by the president or secretary or defense, is the first and only of the country's 10 combatant commands to have a mental health officer, command officials said.

"NorthCom has recognized the need to have mental health as part of its package for the surgeon's office," Sayegh said. "I'm just pleased, as a mental health practitioner myself, that the [Department of Defense] and other levels of medical care in our country are taking notice of the importance of mental health and what we can do to help increase our psychological resilience to either everyday stressors or a catastrophic stressor."

In 1918 and 1919, a pandemic influenza killed 650,000 Americans, Navy Capt. (Dr.) James Terbush, NorthCom's command surgeon, said. Experts use data from that pandemic to model what could happen in a 21st-century event.

"So many aspects of the pandemic revolve around human behaviors -- what we think people are likely to do and, in contrast, what we hope that they'll do," he said.

The public health measures, or behaviors, that the public would be directed to do, especially "social distancing" -- staying home instead of going to work or school or other group functions -- all affect mental health.

"Social distancing -- staying in your house -- that's a hard thing to do," Sayegh said.

But because social distancing may be one of the most effective ways to help control the spread of a pandemic flu, mental and behavioral health experts are searching for methods to help people do it safely and sanely.

As a military organization, NorthCom is concerned not only about public health, but also about the health of its own personnel. The 1918 pandemic influenza hit people between the ages of 20 and 40 hardest, Terbush said, and today's military is "likely to be exceptionally affected by the virus unless we prepare properly."

That preparation includes planning to help troops stay mentally healthy, Sayegh said, especially if they are required to perform traumatic duties.

The Disaster Behavioral Health Conference was the first time many, if not most, of the conference participants met military health professionals and learned about the military's pandemic response plans.

"NorthCom brings the unique organizational capacity, but also the unique perspective, of the military and their whole interaction with the rest of the civilian population," said Dr. Chip Benight, professor of psychology and director of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs' CU Trauma, Health and Hazards Center. "We discovered this, obviously, in [Hurricane] Katrina, where we have to create these partnerships and these relationships, or else we're not going to be able to function in a way that's most effective in terms of preventing not only physical problems in terms of deaths, obviously, and injuries, but in terms of mental health support and resilience, which we need to find ways to enhance."

Creating and strengthening relationships among representatives of local, state and federal agencies was an important part of the conference, agreed Dr. Curt Drennan, Colorado Department of Human Services disaster behavioral health planner and coordinator and manager of the Disaster Planning and Response Team for the Division of Behavioral Health.

"The goal here is to build greater understanding of culture, of capacity, of resources, and then to really build the relationships between individuals within those areas of expertise and fields and specialty areas so that we can more effectively work together when we really need to work together," Drennan said.

Before the conference, he added, he was not aware of the "extreme level of expertise and capacity" within the Defense Department.

"It's kind of relieving for myself, in my position, that's for sure," Drennan said. "It's like, OK, this is a bigger community, this is a broader set of resources."

U.S. Northern Command was established on Oct. 1, 2002, to anticipate and conduct homeland defense and civil support operations within the assigned area of responsibility to defend, protect and secure the United States and its interests. Its geographic area includes the continental United States and Alaska.

(Army Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen serves in the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs Office.)

CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- May 21, 2008

Universal Detection Technology Announces Financial Results and 5,000% Revenue Increase Due to Increasing Sales of Biological and Other CBRN Detection Products
“Universal Detection Technology, a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats and provider of counter-terrorism consulting and training services, announced a more than 5,000% increase in revenues for the 3 months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period a year ago. The full financial results are available in the Company's publicly available quarterly report.” (Fox Business; 19May08)
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/energy/universal-detection-technology-announces-financial-results--revenue-increase/

NZ [New Zealand] device can reduce time lost to anthrax scares
“Emergency services which today evacuated offices and shops in Wellington, could have checked the risk of the ‘white powder’ scare in a few minutes, says a Christchurch technology company. ‘There is hand-held equipment available which can identify bacterial spores such as anthrax in only six to eight minutes,’ said [t]he chief executive of Veritide Ltd, Andrew Rudge. The Wellington headquarters of ACC [Accident Compensation Corporation], in Molesworth Street, and nearby shops and cafes were emptied after ACC staff opened mail containing a white powder.” (NZ Yahoo News; 21May08) http://nz.news.yahoo.com/080520/3/5j1l.html

SPACEHAB Product Earns Safety Act Designation from U.S. Department of Homeland Security
“SPACEHAB Inc. today announced its receipt of a formal Developmental Testing and Evaluation (DT&E) Designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the Company's new in house developed Miniature Mass Spectrometer (MMS) technology named ‘1st Detect.’ The designation was instituted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to encourage the development of 'promising anti-terrorism technologies' by providing legal liability protections under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002, or the SAFETY Act […]. Through its new subsidiary, SPACETECH, the Company has been developing the MMS, a trace chemical analyzer capable of detecting residues and vapors from explosives, chemical warfare agents, and toxic chemicals.” (Centre Daily Times; 20 May 08) http://www.centredaily.com/business/technology/story/606624.html

Lewisite find suspends work at Rocky Mountain [Colorado] Arsenal
“Workers installing groundwater monitoring wells at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal suspended work after air quality test detected low levels of lewisite, a chemical warfare agent. Arsenal officials said workers at the Lime Basins Project Monday were wearing protective gear when they detected the chemical that was produced at the site in 1943.” (9 News; 20May08; Sara Gandy) http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=92117

Advance Nanotech to Accelerate Delivery of Chemical Sensor Products
“Advance Nanotech, Inc., announced today that its Owlstone Nanotech Inc.
subsidiary, which in October 2007 was awarded a three year $3.7 million contract by the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency, has received a modification accelerating its delivery of chemical sensor products. The Company anticipates booking revenues of $2.25 million from this contract in 2008, an increase in revenues of $1.4 million from the initial plan. The contract is meeting specific performance targets under the initial terms with the customer, and the proprietary Owlstone technology is meeting previously established benchmark objectives, indicating progress has been achieved.” (AZO Nanotechnology; 21May08)
http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=6448

Greenpeace says chemical factory risk to quake victims [China]
“A chemical factory still operating in the area of China devastated by last week's earthquake poses a huge risk to local people and the environment, Greenpeace said on Wednesday. Although impressed with the government's response to the crisis, the environmental pressure group said authorities must strengthen enforcement of a chemical production ban in the disaster zone. ‘We have discovered at least one ... chemical factory which is secretly operating,’ Greenpeace campaigner Yue Yihua said in a statement on the group's website (http://www.greenpeace.org).” (Reuters UK; 21May08; Simon Rabinovitch)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKPEK15300820080521

Jordan militants sentenced for plotting chemical attack [on U.S.Embassy in Jordan]
“Eight al-Qaida-linked militants were handed life sentences on Wednesday — three in absentia — for plotting a 2004 chemical attack on the U.S. Embassy and other sites in the kingdom. The men — alleged associates of slain al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi — had been sentenced to death in a previous trial in 2006. But an appeals court overturned those sentences because the prosecutor was apparently one of the plot's targets.” (Yahoo News; 21May08; Jamal Halaby, Associated Press Writer)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080521/ap_on_re_mi_ea/jordan_terrorism_1

'Dirty bomb' warning to Olympics [China]
“The International Atomic Energy Agency says a group might try to release radioactivity at an Olympic venue, possibly using a ‘dirty bomb.’ However, the IAEA says there is no specific information suggesting an imminent attack on the Beijing games. The IAEA warning comes as it conducts a training exercise in China's capital.” (BBC News; 21May08; Angus Crawford) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7412254.stm

Nanotech makes radioactive sensors obsolete
“‘Green’ smoke-alarm ionizers using field-emission from nanotubes instead of radioactive isotopes could eliminate a source of dirty-bomb material, according to recipients of a U.S. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract sponsored by the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency. Applied Nanotech Inc. (Austin, Texas) and Sionex Corp. (Bedford, Mass.) now have the funding from Homeland Security to produce a small, safe, high-performance sensor using electron field emission from carbon nanotube arrays instead [of] the ionizing alpha rays from radioactive isotopes.” (EE Times; 20May08; R. Colin Johnson)
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207801292

Michael Douglas visits DC in support of treaties and preventing the spread of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons
“Actor and producer Michael Douglas visited with Senator Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) to discuss the Ploughshares Fund, the Nunn-Lugar Act, and the Law of the Sea. The Ploughshares Fund is an organization that awards grants ‘aimed at preventing the spread and use of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and other weapons of war, and preventing conflicts that could lead to the use of weapons of mass destruction,’ according to their website. Douglas said he became interested in this topic in 1978 after doing the film ‘The China Syndrome.’ He said the Three Mile Island incident near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania occurred shortly after the movie came out.” (The Talk Radio News Service; 21May08) http://talkradionews.com/2008/05/michael-douglas-visits-dc-in-support-of-treaties-and-preventing-the-spread-of-nuclear-biological-and-chemical-weapons/

Is global terror threat falling?
“Two recent reports about the threat posed by terrorism present contrasting pictures. The BBC's security correspondent Gordon Correra asks whether terrorism is a real and growing danger, or whether it is in decline? […] A single major attack like 9/11 could transform the statistics. And even an attempt to use chemical or biological weapons that do not kill many could create waves of fear, far out of proportion to the statistical toll. But how likely is that? No-one really knows.” (BBC News; 21May08; Gordon Correr ] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7412036.stm

CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.

Marines, Sailors Help Iraqi Refinery Workers

American Forces Press Service

March 27, 2008 - Marines and sailors delivered the first batch of personal protection equipment, valued at $118,000, to employees of the Northern Petroleum Co. at the K3 Oil refinery here March 25. "During the former regime, protection for the laborers and employees was not available," the Iraqi manager of the refinery said through an interpreter. "We hope the relationship between our two great nations will remain and grow stronger and stronger."

The Marines and sailors, who are assigned to Civil Affairs Group Detachment 1, Team 6 of the Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based Regimental Combat Team 5, capitalized on a Multinational Force West-sponsored initiative introduced by Army Brig. Gen. Martin Post, Multinational Force West deputy commander.

"They had flip-flops that their toes stuck out of and no eye protection, nothing to protect their hands and no hearing protection," said Colorado native Navy Lt. j.g. Eric Palmer, Team 6 leader. "We're providing everything from hearing protection, facial shields, goggles, gloves, coveralls and steel-toed boots. We're also providing the fire department with bunker gear."

When fully operational, the refinery, in conjunction with the Haditha Dam several kilometers away, will roughly double electricity production in Iraq's Anbar province.

"This is a good day," said Marine 1st Lt. Brian O'Shea, the executive officer of Civil Affairs Group Detachment 1, from Staten Island, N.Y. "It is one of many first steps on the road to economic self-sufficiency for al Anbar province."

(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)