Security Forces Turnback

Security Forces Turnback 'Attack' at TMI

Jun 21 - Intelligencer Journal

Security forces at Three Mile Island power plant last month stifled an armed assault team's attempt to penetrate the nuclear facility.

Though TMI received fire, security forces succeeded in subduing several intruders using laser weapons.

The incident was part of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission pilot preparedness program designed to uncover security weaknesses through simulated terrorist attacks.

Wackenhut Corp. Inc, TMI's security contractor, performed skillfully, said Richard A. Michau, president of Wackenhut's nuclear services division.

"The exercises create a lot of stress on (security) officers, but they did a good job," Michau said. "The exercise did what it is supposed to do: identify what steps security forces can take to improve their ability to repel attackers."

The nuclear energy industry, the only private sector entity that undergoes government-mandated "force-on-force" exercises, is revamping its monitoring policies of security at the 64 nuclear plants in the country.

The pilot program is a preview of mock attacks planned by NRC to evaluate if a nuclear plant is in compliance with new security standards that go into effect later this year.

Though TMI received no formal evaluation of the exercise, Ralph DeSantis, TMI spokesman, said the entire station performed well.

"I can't get too specific, but the exercise involved quite a bit of people besides our security unit. We were very pleased with the way the whole thing went," DeSantis said.

The Nuclear Energy Institute has selected Wackenhut to train and manage two adversary teams that will be used when the NRC Commission evaluates power plant's security strategies and tactics.

Wackenhut, which already handles security at 31 nuclear power plants, including TMI, Limerick Generating Station and Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, is actively recruiting security workers from those plants to be part of the adversary teams.

Prospective team members will participate in a strenuous training program after meeting NRC-mandated physical fitness requirements and weapons proficiency standards. Former U.S. Army Special Forces and other elite military service personnel will lead the teams, said Michau.

Like last month's exercise at TMI, Wackenhut's teams will use "MILES" gear - Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System - that collects data and tallies laser "hits" during the exercises. Developed by Lockheed Martin Corp., the system is used extensively by the U.S. Army's urban warfare training unit.

"The nuclear sites use the MILES gear and know an attack is coming, but they don't know where or how," said Michau "You can't do a real surprise attack because people could get killed."

The independent adversary teams ,beginning in November, will participate in approximately 24 NRC-evaluated exercises each year. Each nuclear plant will receive at least one exercise during a three- year period.

Members of the adversary teams must commit for at least two years, but no more than three before returning to duty at their particular plant.

The NRC last year expanded the mock threats that security forces must defend while increasing training and qualification requirements to meet force-on-force exercises, said Stephen Floyd, NEI vice president of regulatory affairs.

Recent changes at the plants include extending security perimeters, increasing patrols within plant security zones, installing additional physical barriers and conducting vehicle checks at greater stand-off distances.

Security forces at nuclear plants increased staff by 30 percent to more than 7,000 and sites also have improved cooperation with state and local law enforcement and military authorities. Attentiveness to possible car-bomb and water-borne attacks is a priority.

For far more extensive news on the energy/power visit: http://www.energycentral.com .