1988 Terrorist Attack on Pan Am Flight 103
opinion Essay
1320 words
It has been widely accepted from media depiction of terrorist attacks, that they normally occur in the streets of some Middle Eastern town, within a war-torn over ran village seized by a drug cartel, on a train or discotheque in Europe, or somewhere other than in the sky. As stated within The National Counterterrorism Center: Report on Terrorism (2011), traditional or well know tactics account for some 80% of all attacks, terrorist attacks directed toward airlines or air vehicles are less than 2%. For this reason many such threats are discounted or its relevance to put resources toward investigating. Prior to the attack on Pan Am Flight 103, intelligence data received was disseminated however, no high level officials were directly involved in the security measures required to thwart the event. December 21, 1988 was a day when the consequences of complacency would be felt by the nation.
On December 21, 1988 a civilian airliner exploded over the small town of Lockerbie, located in the Dumfries and Galloway region of southwest Scotland. Aboard were civilians representing 21 different countries; 189 those being from the United States. In all, 270 people lost their lives that day; 259 passengers and crew members and 11 killed on the ground. Because of the altitude, speed, and weather over the region that day, aircraft parts and bodies were scattered over a 2000 square kilometer area. According to The CIA Report: “Terrorist Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 2012)”, months after the plane crash and end of the formal recovery effort, a piece of scorched shirt was discovered. The piece contained a fragment of circuit board that the heat of the explosion had fused into the shirt’s polyester fabric. The organizers, resource suppliers,...
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...t full proof, it’s not a guarantee, and it is the right step in the right direction.
Works Cited
Greenspan, Jesse (2013, December 20). Remembering the 1988 Lockerbie Bombing. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/news/remembering-the-1988-lockerbie-bombing
Rabbitte, Eimear (28 April 2014). Sheridan to direct Lockerbie attack film. Retrieved from http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/film/sheridan-to-direct-lockerbie-attack-film-30224654.html
The National Counterterrorism Center. Report on Terrorism (2011). Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/nctc2011.pdf
The Pan Am 103 Crash Website. The Victims of Pan Am 103 (2002). Retrieved from http://plane-truth.com/Aoude/geocities/victim.html
The Washington Post. Security Rules Tightened for U.S. Airlines Abroad (1988) Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/panam103/stories/faa123088.htm
In this essay, the author
- Explains that terrorist attacks usually occur in middle eastern towns, war-torn villages, or on trains or discotheques in europe. the national counterterrorism center reports that traditional or well-known tactics account for 80% of attacks.
- Describes how a civilian airliner exploded over lockerbie on december 21, 1988. 270 people lost their lives, 259 passengers and crew members and 11 killed on the ground.
- Explains that the organizers or those held responsible for the downing of flight 103 is mystery, although 2 lebanese men, abdelbaset al-megrahi, a libyan intelligence officer, and lamin khalifa
- Analyzes how muammar gaddafi's letter was read to the united nations security council in 2003. his tone was an expression of how he felt for the 1980’s united states attacks in the gulf of sidra.
- Explains that the samsonite suitcase carrying the semtex plastic explosive was purchased from malta and transported to frankfurt, germany, where it was loaded onto pan am flight 103.
- Narrates how the united states embassy in helsinki received a call from an anonymous man, who claimed to have an arabic accent, providing detailed information about the imminent threat. due to its authenticity, special measures were taken; special screening of passengers, luggage, employee, airport facilities and the aircraft itself.
- Opines that it was possible for any "one" person to survive the 31,000 thousand foot plunge. the reaction from the bombing was devastating to the families, communities, and schools.
- Explains that the united states enacted stringent rules such as x-raying or physically examining all checked baggage and increase screening of passengers.
- Explains that the united states was ill prepared to handle the families and friends of victims. the government recognized the effects of a sudden loss of loved ones and the long lasting torture.
- Opines that the bombing of pan am flight 103 on 21 december 1988 was well financed, well planned and well executed. the motivation of the terrorist rarely equates in the minds of victims.
- Cites greenspan, jesse, and rabbitte, eimear. sheridan to direct lockerbie attack film.
Related
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- Explains that the cia, fbi, and bush administration knew that thousands of americans were about to be murdered in the worst terroristattack the country had ever known. they insured that these attacks would take place by sabotaging the investigative efforts of fbi field agents.
- Explains that fbi field agents knew that the nation was in danger of a terrorist attack and that this threat involved the hijacking of commercial airliners. their superiors in washington were acting as "accomplices" to osama bin laden and al-qaeda.
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- Explains that the 9/11 tragedy and mass murder of 3000 americans would transform anunpopular and inept president into a war time leader who could claim unprecedented power.
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In this essay, the author
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In this essay, the author
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- Explains that airports and airplanes have been victims of terrorism for many years. airport disasters are common and can be caused not just by terrorists, but also disturbed individuals.
- Analyzes how the council of foreign relations editor jayshree bajoria accounts for the many new advancements in security measures. the tsa has put more time and money into making an airport safe.
- Explains that body scanners are more effective than ever and continue to improve. some people claim the scansion of their bodies is completely inexcusable and violates their right to privacy.
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- Opines that more can be done to subdue heinous crimes, not just in the homeland. in the united states, airport security may be slowly but surely advancing, but not all of the world is on the same page.
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In this essay, the author
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In this essay, the author
- Explains how the horrible chaos caused people to suffer from psychological issues, such as fear of catching a plane or being near one. airlines' demand went down for at least 30 percent if not more because of the shock.
- Explains that airports had to make changes in their organization to create a secure but disturbing environment. the increase in security was out of control after the terrorist attack.
- Explains that in order to accomplish their plan to be sure that no other tragic event like this happens again, they had to invent and buy new security machines.
- Explains that september 11 was a turning point in the united states history. it caused bankruptcies, people to lose their jobs, changes in how flights were made and flew, and security checks.
- Narrates how the 9/11 attacks caused a negative impact on the aviation industry. airline companies like us airways and united airlines declared bankruptcy.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that terrorist threats against the airline industry have jeopardized the safety and security of airline passengers since 1955.
- Explains how a bomb stowed in luggage in the belly of an airliner in 1955 was the beginning of terrorism, and the department of transportation created the k-9 explosives detection team program.
- Explains that the faa ordered u.s. air carriers to tighten security at major airports in other countries.
- Explains that domestic airlines were not significantly threatened by bombings, but signs accumulated that this was wishful thinking.
- Opines that a better method of securing the cockpits needs to be instituted.
- Opines that el al should be the model used to emulate, along with a security camera in the isolation area between the double doors, providing far superior protection.
- Opines that a systematic plan to increase wages, improve training, and even add prestige to the job must be implemented.
- Argues that profiling is a naughty word and must be dealt with. the white house commission on aviation safety and security recommended that airlines and government be forbidden from maintaining permanent databases on selectees.
- Cites cohen, l., barens, m. (2001, september 13). checkpoint screeners weak link in system.
- Cites dunn, r. (2001, september 26). reinforced cabins, armed guards: the el al model.
- Describes the federal aviation administration's external security, which was retrieved from the world wide web.
- Explains how u.s. airport security broke down. the article was retrieved from the world wide web.
- Cites murphy, d., & brinkley j. (2001, september). rethinking airport security.
- Cites rohrlich, t. (2001, november 5). a gap in aviation security.
1835 wordsRead More