Chicago, IL, June 29, 1996 (ENN)--According to Paul Copher, former federal agent and Air Force Office of Special Investigation (OSI) officer, at least some military security specialists and counter-terrorist analysts had feared a bombing similar to what happened in Dhahran as early as the late 1970's. At that time, during security assessments of U.S. military and diplomatic facilities, reviews were reportedly filed, by a number of agents, expressing their concerns about the vulnerability of American installations in the Mid-East.
Not only did the these agents attempt to spread an alarm about possible threats to U.S. facilities, but they also did research in regard to ways to better protect the bases. Unfortunately, it would appear, that these reports must have either been disregarded or simply filed without comment, consideration, or action.
One of the ideas developed by Copher and his fellow agents involved a "bomb deflection device" that could have proved useful in limiting damage like that which occurred to Air force housing buildings in Dhahran. Although Copher admits that the device may not prove as useful in protecting "high-rise" buildings, he says that if the devices were properly placed they could have helped to minimize the destruction in Dhahran. (Figure #1 - Bomb Deflection Device)
ERRI analysts, in concert with other military planners, have offered an additional modification to Copher's design, which may further deflect the blast upward and prevent suicide car/truck bombers from attempting to use the device as a ramp for entrance into a compound. (Figure #2; ERRI Modification - Bomb Blast Deflection Device.)
Copher, who has taught military and federal law enforcement officers about improvised explosive devices (IEDs), said that the "deflection devices" were originally designed to protect "low rise" or buildings of less than four stories. And, he said, that he would not recommend placing military, diplomatic, or other essential personnel or facilities in "high-rise" buildings that are difficult to adequately protect and defend. He pointed to the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing as another example of a "high-rise" building that proved difficult to defend.
Counter-terrorist and explosives experts tell ENN that a "deflection device", like that suggested by Copher, might well prove useful in protecting American facilities. They say that military and facility security planners might want to give this idea a chance and conduct the necessary tests to determine its effectiveness. But, they warn that even this idea might fail in the face of a large enough explosive device. They say that if an explosion were large enough and of enough force, that the "deflection devices" would be obliterated... along with anyone and anything else in the vicinity. The real issue, they say, is how to stop the bombers before they set the device.
(c) Emergencynet NEWS Service, 1996
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