NCJ Number
171920
Date Published
1997
Length
37 pages
Annotation
Efforts by the Department of Defense (DOD) to protect United States military personnel from terrorist attacks were examined with respect to actions taken at overseas United States bases to enhance the security of deployed personnel and recent DOD initiatives to improve its antiterrorism program.
Abstract
Data collection methods included site visits to 30 overseas locations. Many deployed United States forces are better protected today from terrorist attacks similar to the one that occurred in 1996 in Saudi Arabia. Security improvements were most apparent in places where the risk of terrorism is the greatest, such as Turkey and the Middle East. DOD has placed less emphasis on addressing vulnerabilities in countries that are currently considered to have a lower threat. Senior military commanders and defense officials interviewed emphasized that they can reduce vulnerabilities but not eliminate them and that further terrorist attacks against United States military personnel should be expected. Changes initiated since the 1996 bombing include the establishment of a new office for combating terrorism on the Joint Staff, enhanced the antiterrorism responsibilities of the geographic combatant commands, and instituted a vulnerability assessment process under the Joint Staff. However, these initiatives have not produced a comprehensive, consistent approach to antiterrorism as recommended by the Downing task force established after the bombings in Saudi Arabia. Standardized vulnerability assessments and other actions are recommended. Agency comments, map, and appended methodological information and DOD comments