[Chdiraux-l] MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY CHERTOFF TO ALL DHS EMPLOYEES - 026/06

[Chief Director of the Auxiliary Announcement List]

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Subj: MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY CHERTOFF TO ALL DHS EMPLOYEES - 026/06

1. FYI - Please read and disseminate

2.  Message:

Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 11:54 AM
Subject: MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY CHERTOFF TO ALL DHS EMPLOYEES


MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY CHERTOFF TO ALL DHS EMPLOYEES 
Over the last few hours, British authorities have arrested a significant
number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple
passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States.
Currently, there is no indication of plotting within the United States. We
believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the threat, but we
cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot
completely thwarted. 

For that reason, the United States Government has raised the nation's threat
level to Severe, or Red, for commercial flights originating in the United
Kingdom bound for the United States. This adjustment reflects the Critical,
or highest, alert level that has been implemented in the United Kingdom. To
defend further against any remaining threat from this plot, we will also
raise the threat level to High, or Orange, for all commercial aviation
operating in or destined for the United States. 

Winning this war against terror is the great calling of our generation, and
this is critical moment in the Department's work to protect the world's
travelers who transit by air to and from the United States. Since 9/11, we
have erected a number of layers of defense against such attacks. Over the
course of the coming days, Transportation Security Officers, Federal Air
Marshals, Customs and Border Protection Officers, DHS intelligence analysts,
and employees from multiple other preparedness, protection and response
components will be working along with our federal interagency partners to
ensure that we have successfully addressed this threat. It is critical that
we perform as a team - with our DHS components and with our stakeholders,
industry partners, state and local law enforcement and foreign governments.

A number of you will receive more extensive briefings from your managers and
supervisors in the coming hours. The Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) will be implementing a series of security measures - some visible and
some not visible -- to ensure the security of the traveling public and the
Nation's transportation system. TSA is immediately implementing changes to
airport screening procedures to prevent liquids or gels of any kind in
carry-on baggage. The Federal Air Marshals Service (FAMS) will provide
expanded mission coverage for flights from the United Kingdom to the United
States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will increase enforcement efforts
in international arrival areas including the use of advanced targeting
tools, special response teams including baggage and aircraft search teams,
baggage x-ray equipment, specially-trained canine units, and explosive
detection technology. These measures will be constantly evaluated and
updated when circumstances warrant. 

As we respond to this threat, the Department must also execute a number of
other mission-critical tasks. To those of you engaged in preparing for
hurricanes and other natural disasters, enforcing our immigration laws and
carrying out the Department's other vital missions, know that the Department
is depending on you too to proceed with unyielding focus and quiet
determination. The public is counting on us to protect our families, our
fellow citizens, our visitors, and our homeland. In Winston Churchill's
words, "We will not flinch or weary of the struggle."

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5.     G-PCX, sends.