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Historical Item: US Embassy Security Measures

US Embassy Security Measures

Posts: Department of State	Author: University of Virginia Margaret Kramer Robert Pearson Raynelle Deans Douglas Myers Jit Sarkar
Source: http://repo-nt.tcc.virginia.edu/classes/200r/projects/fall_1999/terrorist/

HISTCOM Note: the following 2 pages were downloaded from the above site - The students have provided an interesting review of anti-terrorism training and preparation.

Welcome to the

Security Measures

Exterior Systems

Exterior Wall

The external wall is the first line of physical defense as it prevents people from gaining unauthorized access to the compound. It is constructed from steel reinforced concrete and is curved on both sides outward, so that it is more difficult for intruders to climb over it. Along the top are razor wires that have a current running through them that lead to an alarm to alert Post One of any breaks.

Neighboring Buildings

No building should be within 100 feet of the external walls. If this is violated, the security of the compound could be compromised.

"Flowerpots"

Steel columns disguised as flowerpots can be positioned so as to prevent a vehicle from ramming through them. They will line the front of the exterior wall as well as the winding driveway. One of the main features of this system is that it is hidden, since it looks like a large concrete flowerbed.

Sewer Bars

Bars will be placed in the sewer lines to prevent people and objects from entering them. They will be position outside of the compound's perimeter so that nothing can move under the building and detonate.

Winding Driveway

To prevent cars from accelerating quickly toward the main building, the driveway will be curved so they have to slow down in order to stay on the road. This will prevent cars with bombs in them from smashing into the building, causing greater damage.

Killing Grounds

Any person who is in this area while an alarm is sounding is liable to be shot by the security forces. However, no one should ever be in this area, except for a guard, and so the only other person that might be here is an intruder.

Exterior Lights

The compound will be well lit during the nighttime so that surveillance is easier. Flood lamps will be located all around the compound shining light on to the open areas and the building itself.

Staff Parking

Parking Area

The staff will be forced to park outside of the compound since bombs can be potentially placed in their vehicles. This will make it much more difficult for a bomb to find its way inside the compound within a vehicle.

Unlabled Parking Spaces

No parking space will be labeled with a person's title or name. This will prevent assassins from knowing which vehicle belongs to their target.

Gate Security

There will only be two entrances into the compound at the exterior walls.

Walking Entrance

Nearly everyone, both the staff and the public, will have to use this entrance. The person entering will have to pass a metal and an explosive detector test before they can proceed toward the building.

Vehicle Entrance

Only delivery, Embassy, and officials' vehicles will be able to access this entrance. Every vehicle will be scanned for bombs by the Large Vehicle Bomb Detection System and non-official vehicles will be manually searched too.

Initial Vehicle Gate

This is the first gate that a vehicle will be stopped at before entering the compound. It consists of sliding steel bars that allow the gate officer to identify the driver's clearance before allowing them through the initial gate.

Hydraulic Driveway

At night and off-hours, the driveway directly behind the first gate will rise at an angle so that if a vehicle rams through the first gate, they will crash into the raised section of the driveway.

Second Vehicle Gate

This is the last gate that a vehicle will have to pass through before it can continue to the winding driveway. It prevents people with car bombs from escaping the bomb searches.

Large Vehicle Bomb Detection System (LVBDS)

This system analyzes for traces of explosive chemicals on a vehicle. However it is not perfect, so manual searches will be conducted on every non-Embassy vehicle.

Motor Pool

Every vehicle entering the compound must go here. A separate entrance to the building with its own set of access control systems will connect it to the main structure. The contract guards' base will also be located in this sector.

Entrance Gates

In order to manage the flow of persons entering the compound, one-way revolving doors will be used at the walking entrance to the compound. They will prevent mobs from rushing into the Embassy in times of riots.

Enclosed Corridor

This walkway will control the flow of people while they are moving from the external gates to the building. It will also prevent people who did not go through the gates to access the Embassy.

Exit Gates

The compound will have exit gates that are separate from the entrance gates. They will also be the same type of one way revolving doors that are used for the entrance doors.

Bomb Detectors

Bomb detectors are necessary to detect explosives both on a person and in any objects they carry with them. This will be one of the tests conducted on every person entering the Embassy.

Metal Detectors

To prevent weapons from coming into the Embassy, metal detectors will scan all persons entering and any objects they carry with them. This is the other test conducted on persons entering the compound.

Building Security

Structure Design

No exterior windows.

Sensitive material will be located on the upper floors.

Helicopter landing pad on the roof.

A courtyard will be placed in the middle of the building, open to the sky.

Post One is to be centrally located on the first floor.

Staff and public areas will be separate.

Separate entrances for the public and the staff areas within the building itself.

Fire exits will be placed in various areas around the building.

Door Alarms

A propped open door will sound an alarm. This will prevent people from propping doors, allowing unauthorized people to gain access through them.

Roof Alarm

The door on the roof will be unlocked for safety but will have extra security measures.

Protective Film on Windows

The windows facing the inner courtyard will be anchored into the walls and covered with Mylar film to make them shatterproof. This will provide extra safety to the people inside the Embassy if a mortar were to be shot into the courtyard.

Fire Exits

It will not be possible to open fire exits from the outside. An alarm will sound whenever these doors are opened to alert the security forces.

Interior Building

Post One

This area is the Marine Security Guards' base on the first floor. It is the nerve center of the security system.

Emergency Room

This is a secure room to which employees can escape in times of danger. It allows them to be self-sufficient and communicate with the outside world.

Motion Activated Security Cameras

This system couples a security camera with an infrared motion-sensor. Only when the motion detectors sense activity will the cameras record and alert the Marines in Post One.

Access Control System for Highly Classified Areas

Access Control to important areas will consist of a system combining facial recognition and a scan of the person's iris. These two devices combined will make it virtually impossible to gain unauthorized access.

Miscellaneous

Letter Bomb Detector

This machine will detect traces of explosive materials on a piece of mail. It will analyze mail at a place outside of the Embassy to prevent any bombs from entering.

Security Forces

1. Source/Type

¨ International Law dictates that the host government must provide security to diplomatic posts

¨ Sometimes the host government is unable/unwilling to provide adequate forces

¨ The US then uses US Marines and local contract guards to provide security

¨ If local guards cannot hold up to the standards required, then the Department of State must either import private guards from the United States or other nations to serve the functions of a contract guard

2. Local Host Government Guards/Local Contract Guards

¨ Supervisors

¨ Regional Security Officer (RSO) or a Post Security Officer

¨ These men must receive special training and follow special procedures in order to manage the contract guards

¨ Functions of Guards

¨ Provide the first line of defense

¨ Watchmen

¨ Surveillance

¨ Report suspicious activity

¨ Gatekeeper

¨ Restrict passage through the gates into and out of the compound

¨ Armed Police

¨ Provide a deadly deterrence to unauthorized entry

¨ Since many foreign governments will not permit US Marines to carry arms on their soil, these guards are the main defense for the compound, especially outside of the main building

¨ Perimeter Control

¨ Embassy

¨ Officials’ residences

¨ Bodyguards

¨ Protect top officials

¨ A set of standards must be established for all guards to follow

¨ Training

¨ Physical fitness

¨ Aptitude

¨ Reliability

¨ Salary

¨ Equipment (this may vary depending on function, but all guards in each function will have standard gear)

¨ No Criminal Record

¨ Procedures for various situations and circumstances

3. US Marine Security Guards

¨ Supervision

¨ Regional Security Officer or Post Security Officer

¨ Officer in Charge of the detachment

¨ Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC)

¨ Senior member of the detachment

¨ Senior Foreign Service Officer

¨ Commands use of deadly force

¨ Function

¨ Provide Internal Security to the Missions

¨ Control of Classified Material and Equipment

¨ Patrol areas where classified material is kept to ensure proper procedures are maintained

¨ Destroy classified material in case of an invasion of the compound

¨ Maintain Access Controls inside the Embassy

¨ Delay hostile forces from entering long enough to destroy all classified material and secure protection for staff

¨ Provide security while areas of the compound are under construction so as to prevent any sabotage or outside workers from causing trouble

¨ Work only inside of the compound, which is usually considered to be US soil, because many host governments do not permit armed military personnel to be stationed in their nation

¨ Personnel

¨ Serve as bodyguards to top diplomatic officials and VIPs

¨ Serve as security guards in times of great danger at the residences of the top diplomatic officials

¨ Property

¨ Protect the property of the United States Government

¨ Standards for all US Marine Security Guards

¨ Normal physical and mental standards for US Marines

¨ Equipment

¨ Procedures

4. Training

¨ Marines go through a robust 6-week training course before being assigned to any diplomatic outpost

¨ The Senior Officer in Charge goes through an 8 week course

¨ All guards, both Marines and local/contract guards, must train constantly to combat fatigue

¨ All the standard procedures (including but not limited to armed entry procedures, mob deterrence, and bomb threats) should be practice regularly at least once a month each

¨ Mobile training units under the Bureau of Diplomatic Security should periodically visit every mission to maintain common standards of training and readiness

5. Equipment

¨ The same equipment should not be issued to a Marine as to a local contract guard, since Marines are more trustworthy and capable

¨ The Regional Security Officer, Marine Detachment Commander, and top Bureau of Diplomatic Security Officer at the Embassy should determine which equipment should be issued to which guards, depending on local factors

¨ 9 mm pistol