NBC is attempting to demonstrate vulnerability of GA airports

The following was sent to me by our local EAA chapter. Please forward
it to those who need to know.

Corky Scott


Subject: [NBAA-avmgr] Attempted Security Breach at St. Louis Downtown
Airport
Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 14:21:04 -0400


The American Association of Airport Executives sent a security notice
to its members August 11 that described an attempted GA facility
breach by a network news agency.

In an effort to show allegedly lax security procedures, NBC News
attempted to penetrate a charter helicopter operation at St. Louis
Downtown Airport. The attempt was thwarted and the individuals were
apprehended.

Though this breach of security was stopped, NBC and other news
agencies may attempt to repeat their efforts at other facilities
around the country. Operators must continue to be vigilant against
security breaches by news agencies "testing the waters" and, more
importantly, actual terrorist organizations or individuals intent on
doing harm.

Operators everywhere are reminded to review their security procedures
and reinforce their security policies. NBAA Members should review the
TSA's Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports
(http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/e...orial_1113.xml) and
NBAA's Best Practices for Business Aviation Security
(http://web.nbaa.org/public/ops/security/bestpractices/). Any
suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Airport
Watch Hotline at (866) GA SECURE.

See below for an account of the August 11 incident provided by the
director of the St. Louis Downtown Airport.

Regards,

Berty Damato
NBAA Operations Service Group
__________________________________________

"Earlier today two Middle Eastern men attempted to penetrate our
security. They telephoned one of my helicopter FBOs and asked about a
charter flight. After discussion of price and directions to the
business, they arrived an hour later. When the office agent asked how
they were going to pay for the flight they produced cash. When asked
for ID, they produced driver's licenses from two different states and
they were driving a car licensed in a third state.

Things didn't smell right so the mechanic took them into the hangar to
see the aircraft while the office person called the FBI and local
police. The helicopter they were going to fly was blocked in by other
aircraft so the mechanic was able to stall them by having to slowly
shuffle the blocking planes. Meanwhile the two men got their
backpacks and odd-shaped luggage out of their car. Soon the local
police arrived and they were hauled off to jail in handcuffs.

After a little time behind bars, the FBI verified that the two men
were employed by NBC New York and were on assignment to get a story of
how easy it is to charter a helicopter for a terrorist attack. The
men had stayed in a local hotel and purchased box cutters, leather-man
knives, and other potential weapons at the local Wal-Mart using a
credit card. The box cutters had been hidden in the lining at the
bottom of the back packs and the other weapons were hidden throughout
their baggage. They had audiotaped the telephone conversation with
Arlene and were going to use it as part of a national news story about
how easy it is to get information and directions to the location of
the helicopter and then hijack it to commit a terrorist attack.

I doubt they will be back at our airport soon and this is a story that
will never be seen since they were caught. A very "well-done" to my
FBO and staff and the local FBI and police response forces. We have
since learned that we were the first airport where this had been
attempted and NBC planned to attempt similar penetration stories
around the country. Please help me spread the word to other
airports."