Olympics security thread

cruasder777

Throught Id start a thread with the various stories over the next couple of months on the Olympics security, which is the largest peacetime military civil support operation on mainland UK since WW2.

I don't think the Olympics has ever had this level of security, I wonder if there is a specific threat ? They are putting SAM batteries at 6 sites.

RAF Regiment heli snipers get the role of providing sniper support from the air.


http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/olympics-air-security-20032012


Olympics Air Security


News articles by date

UK Armed Forces Train For Olympics Air Security

UK Armed Forces aircraft and personnel are this week taking part in the latest of a series of exercises training for their vital role providing air security for the Olympic Games.


The Air Security Plan for the Olympic Games builds on the Royal Air Force’s existing defence of UK airspace, which includes round-the-clock radar surveillance and Typhoon fighters held at high readiness every day of the year.

The exercise integrates the additional forces being used to ensure the safety of the Olympics, as part of the Ministry of Defence’s role to ensure a safe and secure Games this summer. These include RAF Puma aircraft - together with Royal Navy and Army Lynx helicopters - carrying teams of RAF Regiment snipers to intercept aircraft in restricted airspace, and airborne surveillance aircraft including Royal Navy Sea King ASACS (Airborne Surveillance and Control System) and RAF E-3D Sentry aircraft.

On the ground, the RAF is providing additional mobile ground radar systems, while the Army is deploying air observers and Rapier and Starstreak missile systems, which also provide additional detection capability, though a final decision on their deployment has yet to be taken.




http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17934042

Military begins Olympic security exercises in London

Surface-to-air missiles could be deployed at six sites in London during the Games
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories


A large-scale exercise to test the military contribution to the Olympics security effort has been taking place.

Tests of air defence missile systems at six sites across London using dummy armaments have begun.

And Typhoon jets, based at RAF Northolt in west London, will take to the skies over south-east England with Lynx, Sea King and Puma helicopters.

Exercise Olympic Guardian, which goes on until 10 May, will also see HMS Ocean sail to Greenwich in the capital.

Military chiefs have warned residents of an increase in loud air activity.

The exercises are testing how RAF personnel, soldiers and sailors will intercept and communicate with aircraft breaching restricted airspace during the London Games, which start in July.

The Ministry of Defence said the operations were building on the air force's existing defence of UK airspace.

Continue reading the main story
Analysis


Jonathan Beale
Defence correspondent, BBC News
Exercise Olympic Guardian is an opportunity to fine-tune military plans. But it is also aimed at reassuring the public. The Olympics is the biggest global sporting event and the world will be watching.

The sound of fighter jets and military helicopters, along with the sight of the Royal Navy's largest warship, HMS Ocean, in the Thames may reassure many. But for some, just talk of this military hardware is causing alarm - most notably the plans to station ground-based air defence systems at six sites around the capital.

The MoD says the government has not yet made a final decision on whether they will be deployed. In reality it is an essential element of any layered air defence system.

At present there is no specific threat, and the MoD hopes it can address concerns through public consultation. If all else fails, ministers could argue that under previous legislation they have the power to seize private property "in defence of the realm".

Games 'not immune' to net attack
Under the Air Security Plan, 30-miles (48km) of airspace surrounding the Olympic Park would become a restricted flying zone.

On the ground, the RAF will provide mobile ground radar systems, while the Army deploys air observers and high-velocity missiles.

The observers would be placed at 14 sites to spot potential air threats using binoculars with thermal imaging detecting systems.

Helicopters with Royal Air Force regiment snipers could also be used to intercept aircraft that entered the restricted airspace without permission, the RAF said.


Royal Marine commandos took part in a security exercise off Weymouth and Portland
The arrival of the Typhoon jets at RAF Northolt marked the first time fighter planes have been stationed there since World War II.

The operations also include the deployment of HMS Bulwark and other ships to Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour.

Tabnabs

Re. the missiles in London, an interesting letter in the Guardian paper on May 1st.

The possibility of siting surface-to-air missiles on London tower-block rooftops is potentially a major own goal. For over 15 years I served as an officer in an SAM regiment with the Royal Artillery, so I speak from experience. Consider the very stringent criteria applicable to accomplishing a successful engagement of a target; it must be identified early enough as an "enemy" target, at a sufficient distance to permit the missile to be locked on to the target and launched, so as to destroy it before it can achieve its own target. But in destroying an incoming target over a populated area, such as London, any debris will land on this area, including the remains of the target itself, any remaining explosives and fuel (remember Lockerbie after Flight 103 came down?), not to mention the effects if the cargo is chemical or biological in nature. More to the point, all the UK's SAMs have limited range, all of which would cover the Greater London conurbation. Is the government seriously suggesting the answer to a potential airborne threat is to detonate it over the city? And how confident are we that any identified target will be a threat?
Name and address supplied

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/may/01/risky-business-of-olympic-missiles

bwatson

Tabnabs wrote: »

Re. the missiles in London, an interesting letter in the Guardian paper on May 1st.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/may/01/risky-business-of-olympic-missiles

That is not any news which could be considered groundbreaking or previously concealed from wider public knowledge though. The missile systems were always intended to be a last resort option to be used when no other option was available to remove a significant airborne threat to the Olympic Park or other parts of the city.

If, god forbid, anything sort of incident occurred, the RAF would be expected to knock out the threat well away from major population centres.

Better to be safe than sorry though, surely?

cruasder777

Tabnabs wrote: »

Re. the missiles in London, an interesting letter in the Guardian paper on May 1st.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/may/01/risky-business-of-olympic-missiles

I think they are being so public about it to act as a deterrent.

In the real world if a plane was hijacked from London city airport which is only 2 miles from the olympic stadium there is no way there would be time for PM Cameroon to give the order to shoot it down.

I think a plane hijacked abroad is a more likely situation, it would most likely be shot down as it entered UK airspace, if it refused to obey orders.


A grenade or gun attack is the most likely security threat.

cruasder777

http://www.bfbs.com/news/uk/sonic-weapon-deployed-olympic-games-57239.html


A sonic weapon is being deployed as part of military security for the Olympic games.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed its presence after the American-made Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) was seen fixed to a landing craft on the Thames at Westminster.

It can be used for crowd control by sending verbal warnings long distances or can switch over to emit a beam of pain-inducing tones to “enforce area denial with non-lethal means” according to its manufacturers the San Diego-based LRAD Corporation.

The devices are being used by the US Navy and Air Force as well as a number of police forces worldwide. It has proved particularly effective at military checkpoints, as well as for counter piracy operations.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "As part of the military contribution to the police led security effort to ensure a safe and secure games, a broad range of assets and equipment is being used by our armed forces.
.

cruasder777

Royal Marines practising drills on the Thames.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aao6qd98j7c&feature=related

Delancey

If there is any specific threat against the games that has been uncovered by MI5 you can be sure they won't make it public.
There is a reason that certain US Intelligence / Security agencies have dubbed London ' Londonistan ' - there is a relatively large Muslim population in the UK and lest we forget the July 7th bomb attacks occured the day after London was awarded these games.

Apparently the Conspiracy Theorists are already suggesting London will be attacked in so-called ' False Flag ' operations :rolleyes:.

cruasder777

Delancey wrote: »

If there is any specific threat against the games that has been uncovered by MI5 you can be sure they won't make it public.
There is a reason that certain US Intelligence / Security agencies have dubbed London ' Londonistan ' - there is a relatively large Muslim population in the UK and lest we forget the July 7th bomb attacks occured the day after London was awarded these games.

Apparently the Conspiracy Theorists are already suggesting London will be attacked in so-called ' False Flag ' operations :rolleyes:.

The security level is incredible, 55,000 Police and troops and security guards. 7,500 troops and 23,000 security guards inside the stadium, another 6,000 troops around the stadium, 12,000 Police around the stadium. HMS Ocean on the Thames, 6 SAM batteries, helos with snipers, combat aircraft, attack helicopters and drones.

.....There must be a serious on going threat for that level of security.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWapH7OH_BU


I recon the big fear is some sort of biological or dirty bomb threat. The plane crash has been done, terrorism works on the element of surprise.




Britain on 'dirty bomb' alert: Threat of terror attack using nuclear or chemical weapons is rising, says Home Office
By TIM SHIPMAN


The threat of a terrorist attack using nuclear or chemical weapons is rising - and significant gaps have been identified in Britain's ability to prevent it or cope with the aftermath.
Security minister Lord West made the chilling assessment as he published the first counter-terrorism strategy to prevent a 'dirty bomb' attack in this country.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1259960/UK-dirty-bomb-alert-Nuclear-chemical-weapons-terror-attack-threat-rising.html#ixzz1vMPwcdbE

Lemming

cruasder777 wrote: »

.....There must be a serious on going threat for that level of security.

Or sometimes there is mileage to be had in letting your enemies see just how big that 2x4 is.

Cardinal Richelieu

cruasder777 wrote: »

I think they are being so public about it to act as a deterrent.

In the real world if a plane was hijacked from London city airport which is only 2 miles from the olympic stadium there is no way there would be time for PM Cameroon to give the order to shoot it down.

I think a plane hijacked abroad is a more likely situation, it would most likely be shot down as it entered UK airspace, if it refused to obey orders.


A grenade or gun attack is the most likely security threat.

Is West Africa involved?:D

The escalating Security Bill might make London 2012 a new Montreal rather than a Barcelona.