” We didn’t have a plan, but we had to do something.” ~What is my level of awareness?

Impact areas: Travel and Personal Security

~ DC Industries invites you to engage in our Business Executives Security Seminar (BESS) course. Through discussion and activities, clients are lead through areas specifically designed to raise their level of awareness/preparedness with respect to travel and personal security.

SUMMARY:
Three US citizens, a British citizen and French rail employees acted with swift and determined purpose to effectively neutralize a lone attacker armed onboard with a semi-automatic rifle, a pistol and a box cutter. On Friday, a French passenger train traveling from Paris to Amsterdam, through Belgium was the scene of an armed attack in its first class section. After hearing gunshots and broken glass, Spenser Stone, Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler with British citizen Chris Norman, acted in unison to subdue and restrain the attacker. A 26 year old Moroccan national was identified by Spanish, French and Belgium anti-terrorism sources as the assailant. For their courageous actions, these four were awarded the Legion of Honor by the French President. In the aftermath of these events, all travelers are called upon to reflect ….”Am I prepared for such an occurrence – could I act?”

NARRATIVE:
Mr. Chris Norman, a 62-year-old British national – Information Technology specialist and consultant, married with two children and two grandchildren. This is the senior team member’s profile from the crew that thwarted the attack on a French passenger train on August 21st. In an interview subsequent to the attack, Mr. Norman expressed these sentiments:
– “My thought was, OK, I’m probably going to die anyway, so let’s go. I’d rather die being active, trying to get him down, rather than simply sit in the corner and be shot.”
Mr. Norman and his American colleagues subdued, disarmed, and restrained a Moroccan national who lived in Spain, then France and later, returned, to Spain. A shirtless man identified as Ayoub El Khazzani, was subsequently flagged by Spanish authorities after visiting Syria and having connections with radical Islamic elements. El Khazzani was armed with a handgun, an AK-47 with nine magazines of 7.62 mm ammunition and a box cutter. Reporting stated beyond large rail points such as Paris or Brussels, many local train stops have no passenger screening function or metal detectors.

ASSESSMENT, DECISION, COMMUNICATION AND RESPONSE:
Two of the Americans were US military and the other a college student. The fourth team member was an IT grandpa. Many might suggest there was an aligning of circumstances which gave rise to this positive outcome. Admittedly, according to Stone, the AK jammed and the assailant lacked the weapons expertise to clear the weapon. What is undisputed was the potential for a mass casualty event. What prompted the “take action” response exhibited by the people on the train? Beyond the training provided to the US military personnel, others acted. From interviews and other accounts, all involved acted within milliseconds of assessing the situation. They all have said that heroics were never a conscious thought…survival was the center and major motivating factor.

RISK OPPORTUNITY:
Numerous US government after action/accountability review reports following incidents where US persons have been injured or subjects of attacks recommend implementation/enhancement of security briefings. Persons receive mandatory security seminars prior to departure for overseas post. All permanent party and tdyers on extended visits receive an indoctrination briefing upon arrival. Mental preparation enables human beings to face insurmountable challenges and benefit from positive outcomes. This piece speaks to awareness and preparation for the overseas traveler. This attack scenario took place on a train however this event could occur in a hotel lobby, airport terminal or on a crowded street.
CEOs, HR and Security managers are strongly encouraged to provide their employees with the invaluable knowledge and experience offered by DC Industries’ BESS course.

Author: Gregory Houston
DC Industries

Disclaimer Statement…Our services are provided to enhance the situational awareness and safety. As we draw from numerous open source information venues, specific and or imminent threat information is not within the purview of our offices. Such responsibilities are under the jurisdiction of the USG, as outlined in United States Code (USC), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the US Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM). For further information on this topic, please review No Double Standard Policy.