Rumsfeld changed NORAD intercept procedures pre-911.

[Kagemusha]

Originally quoted from the NY Observer:

http://www.observer.com/pages/frontpage2.asp

What’s more, the decades-old procedure for a quick response by the nation’s air defense had been changed in June of 2001. Now, instead of NORAD’s military commanders being able to issue the command to launch fighter jets, approval had to be sought from the civilian Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. This change is extremely significant, because Mr. Rumsfeld claims to have been "out of the loop" nearly the entire morning of 9/11. He isn’t on the record as having given any orders that morning. In fact, he didn’t even go to the White House situation room; he had to walk to the window of his office in the Pentagon to see that the country’s military headquarters was in flames.

-

For literally years, I've been questioning why NORAD behaved completely contrary to what everyone who'd been associated with it for the previous 50 years would have expected in a situation like this. Yes, the media reported NORAD never trained for this scenario, but others tell me NORAD trains for UFO landings (and was not attempting to be making a joke). That they train for every conceivable situation. But what was the other explanation, then?

The explanation is that Rumsfeld changed the procedures so that fighter launches went through him. And ONLY HIM. Meaning that when Cheney tried to relay Bush's orders to get fighters in the air (btw: I don't easily buy the 'technical problems' stuff - it really sounds like Cheney simply tried to take over the chain of command with Bush's highly misguided blessing), they were either not believed, or blatantly disobeyed because they did not come from either the President, or Rumsfeld himself.

This because Rumsfeld had changed the goddamn (pardon my language) procedures a few months before 9/11.

Forget what Bush did with the elementary kids. THIS is important.

(Note for clarification: only the first para is a direct quote, the rest is my commentary on this issue, which has now been picked up by Atrios and is hitting the big leagues.)

[molly]

1. Now why would he go and do that?

:think:

[Kagemusha]

2. I'm not a conspiracy theorist - that's why I'm ticked off.

This is breathtaking incompetence, and Rumsfeld should have been well aware what these orders would have caused in a real crisis.

[JohnyCanuck]

3. Something else to keep in mind

Not saying that the changes in procedure by Rummy don't sound suspicious and didn't play a role in delaying a response to the hijacked aircraft. However, another factor to be considered in all this (and a factor not addressed by the 9-11 Commission) were the various war games and exercises simulating hijackings taking place even as the real hijackings were occurring. These exercises caused NORAD resources to be diverted for the purposes of participating in the war games and also probably caused some confusion in identifying the real hijackings vs the simulated hijackings.

One war game scenario apparently involved a simulated air attack from Russia and allegedly caused fighter resources to be diverted north to Canada. Something of a coincidence, I guess, that Saddam's men just happened to plan their hijackings on the same day the US defenses were tied up in war gaming some of the very scenarios that the hijackers were implementing. Oh well, just more fodder for the coincidence theorists among us.


“I have an on-the-record statement from someone in NORAD that on the day of 9/11 The Joint Chiefs of Staff (Richard B. Myers) and NORAD were conducting a joint, live-fly, hijack Field Training Exercise (FTX) which involved at least one (and almost certainly many more) aircraft under US control that was posing as a hijacked airliner”.
Mike Ruppert – June 5, 2004, editor of FTW www.fromthewilderness.com

On September 11, 2001, Richard B. Meyers, the acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has thus far claimed he was in a meeting with Senator Max Cleland, and was “unaware” of the ongoing 9/11 attacks until after the Pentagon was struck.

<snip>

On September 11, 2001, the Air Force was in its second day of annual wargame drills, titled VIGILANT GUARDIAN, designed to test national air response systems, which incidentally involved hijacking scenarios. In addition the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) which is staffed by military and CIA personnel, and is in charge of most American spy satellites, was running a drill for the scenario of an errant aircraft crashing into its headquarters. NRO headquarters also happens to be located just four miles from Washington’s Dulles airport – where Flight 77 (the flight said to have hit the Pentagon) originated...

<snip>

It is possible that Phillip Zelikow, the executive director of the 9/11 Commission, has classified certain wargames running on 9/11 so the Commission can’t address them publicly. The fact that the war games are open source, having been reported in mainstream publications including the Associated Press, UPI, and Aviation Weekly Magazine would make such a classification part & parcel to a cover-up. Hopefully the Commission will address, in public hearing, the impact these wargames apparently had on the NORAD response on 9/11.

http://inn.globalfreepress.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=387

Also check out this DU thread started by Minstrel Boy.
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1694495

[Beetwasher]

6. Those War Games Would Have Been Perfect Cover

It tied up necessary assets and it also gives them the "Would we be so stupid to be running these exercises and simulations of terror attacks on 9/11 if we planned 9/11?" cover story.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Ayuh

[G_j]

10. no doubt just a slip of course,

but a correction, it was not "Saddam's men" who attacked the US. Actually I don't think we have any idea whose 'men' they were, though no doubt somebody knows.

[nostamj]

11. did you hear the hearing yesterday?

someone (probably from the families) was interrupting Gorelick (sp?) yelling out "Ask about the war games!"

he was shut down. I don't think any questions were asked.

[KoKo]

17. Canuk, can you edit your post? You said Saddam's men....you meant

Osama's men, didn't you? I hope ;-)'s

Quote:

"I guess, that Saddam's men just happened to plan their hijackings on the same day the US defenses were tied up in war gaming some of the very scenarios that the hijackers were implementing. Oh well, just more fodder for the coincidence theorists among us."

[JohnyCanuck]

29. Yup I meant Osama instead of Saddam, didn't catch in time to edit.

Thanks for catching that.

[Cheswick2.0]

4. This is what Rummy says about it

Mr. Rumsfeld claimed at a previous commission hearing that protection against attack inside the homeland was not his responsibility. It was, he said, "a law-enforcement issue."

Why, in that case, did he take onto himself the responsibility of approving NORAD’s deployment of fighter planes?


This has LIHOP written all over it.
First in august Bush gets warning that Bin Laden is going to hijack planes and pilot them into buildings. Then they start warning people not to fly commercially. Then we have the put options placed and someone makes a huge profit off of predicting very bad business to AA and United.
Then Rummy says that only he can oder NORAD planes to be deployed. Then he is out of touch during a disaster. Then later he says it was not his job.
If this is LIHOP what the hell is it?

[KoKo]

23. And, why did Cheney/Bush leave Rummy "out of the loop." They knew

the chain of command. There's a big red flag there waving in the Commissions statement yesterday about Rummy's not being contacted and the "war games," which one General sort of alluded to when questioned, but there wasn't much follow up.

There are alot of unanswered questions as to why Rummy who's a publicity seeker amd control freak would have just "been out of the loop."

And, that explains why the shoot down order wasn't obeyed. Even NORAD and Military knew the "chain of command." So,that's something that really needs jumping on. I don't think the "whore press" will do anything with it...but someone will, eventually. hopefully..that is...

[Beetwasher]

5. LIHOP

or worse. Instead of being assuaged, my suspicion only get deeper and deeper w/ each new revelation and layer that is peeled away...

[Cheswick2.0]

8. yes and now the Putin defense

I wonder if Poppy has offered him a spot on the board of Carlyl.

[seemslikeadream]

9. Thanks for posting this Kagemusha

sorry I'm the someone. I wasn't quite awake when I read your post. But I sure am now. Please forgive me.

[G_j]

12. Did this come up at all

during the hearings yesterday? I wasn't able to hear all of it.
Too bad the hearings are over because it sounds like Rumsfeld needs to be brought back in for questioning.
Too bad also we have no transcripts of the Bush/Cheney interviews.

[Kagemusha]

13. Rumsfeld has other misleading statements to Congress...

Unfortunately, that UN exemption given to US officials for war crimes committed in the course of the UN-authorized Iraqi occupation amounts to international immunity, so if he's not charged for stuff in the US he won't be charged at all, ever. But, just the same I mean... what kind of pictures does he have, that he was not sacked for this and allowed to run two wars? It baffles me. (and I'm not serious about the pictures, ideology goes further with some people than blackmail.)

[F.Gordon]

14. Rumsfeld didn't change NORAD procedure......

He did add the NMCC in the "decision chain", but more significant was the fact the Rumsfeld changed the ROE (Rule of Engagement):

When Clinton's Penis was "destroying the moral fibre of our country" this was the established DOD ROE;

CJCSI 3121.01A
DISTRIBUTION: A, C, S 15 January 2000

b. National Self-Defense. Defense of the United States, US forces, and, in certain circumstances, US nationals and their property, and/or US commercial assets. National self-defense may be exercised in two ways: first, it may be exercised by designated authority extending protection against a hostile act or demonstrated hostile intent to US nationals and their property, and/or designated US commercial assets ; second, it may be exercised by designated authority declaring a foreign force or terrorist(s) hostile .

...and....

6. Declaring Forces Hostile. Once a force is declared hostile by appropriate authority, US units need not observe a hostile act or a demonstration of hostile intent before engaging that force. The responsibility for exercising the right and obligation of national selfdefense and as necessary declaring a force hostile is a matter of the utmost importance. All available intelligence, the status of international relationships, the requirements of international law, an appreciation of the political situation, and the potential consequences for the United States must be carefully weighed. The exercise of the right and obligation of national self-defense by competent authority is separate from and in no way limits the commander’s right and obligation to exercise unit self-defense. The authority to declare a force hostile is limited as amplified in Appendix A of this Enclosure.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/dod/docs/cjcs_sroe.pdf

In June of 2001 the DOD changed things at bit and CANCELLED CJCSI 3121.01A which is linked above. How was it changed? Here....

a. Aircraft Piracy (Hijacking) of Civil and Military Aircraft. Pursuant to references a and b, the Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has exclusive responsibility to direct law enforcement activity related to actual or attempted aircraft piracy (hijacking) in the “special aircraft jurisdiction” of the United States. When requested by the Administrator, Department of Defense will provide assistance to these law enforcement efforts. Pursuant to reference c, the NMCC is the focal point within Department of Defense for providing assistance. In the event of a hijacking, the NMCC will be notified by the most expeditious means by the FAA. The NMCC will, with the exception of immediate responses as authorized by reference d, forward requests for DOD assistance to the Secretary of Defense for approval. DOD assistance to the FAA will be provided in accordance with reference d. Additional guidance is provided in Enclosure A.

http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/cjcsd/cjcsi/3610_01a.pdf

Basically, Rumsfeld turned over our National Defense to local "law enforcement".

Until I read an "official" transcript of bush* giving Cheney the authorization to use Military aircraft I call it bullshit. The procedure in place would have Rumsfeld giving that order. Assuming of course that the FAA contacted the NMCC (National Military Command Center), and the NMCC then, in turn, contacted Rumsfeld.

[wabeewoman]

20. Remember in the run up to the war

how it was repeatedly reported that Rumsfeld had problems making a decision and wanted more and more information. Even if he WERE contacted, could he have made a neccessarily snap decision??

[F.Gordon]

22. How true

And these are the people we trust with our security? Makes me sleep well at night.......

[F.Gordon]

26. One more addon to this, then I'll shut the hell up.....

Many of the decision making processes during those "terrible" Clinton years were what is called: intraagency. The idea being to eliminate the level of bureaucracy in making important Government decisions.

bush* changed all this. bush* created MORE bureaucracy and changed everything to "decision by committee", and added several layers to everything below him...."the commander in chief".

I'm constantly amazed how the bush* worshippers don't see this. In the 9/11 basement I posted a list of the various committees that would have to "review" anything that made its way to bush*. If you look at this you'd have to wonder if ANYTHING ever finds its way to this moron some call "president". But hey, he's a great "leader".

:shrug:

[zwielicht]

15. self deleted

motivated was faster ;)

[newyawker99]

21. Hi zwielicht!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[F.Gordon]

24. Welcome to DU zwielicht !!!

I'm usually an hour or two (or a week) behind everyone else. I must have just been lucky today.

[Bandit]

16. These arrogant pricks are on a huge Power Trip

Power. There is no other explanation for this. His command and his command only will US fighters be launched. What Arrogance. He showed the same arrogance when firing so many Generals. It is a sickness that this country needs to get rid of in a hurry.

[tom_paine]

18. LIHOP. 95% certain. All of it. The ignored wranings. A$hcroft not

flying commercial.

Bush-Cheney testifying together and NOT under Oath.

Rice vs. Clarke, which was basically lies/stonewalling vs. repeatedly corroboarted openness

Now this.

LIHOP, my friends. No WONDER Bunnypants* is keeping Rummy on.

Rummy could blow the lid off this whole Criminal Eneterprise.

of course, if he though he could get away with it he might also cause half the 9/11 commissioners to "disappear", Pinochet-style.

Gotta figure Rummy and Pinochet are a Mutual Admiration Society.

[Generic Other]

19. Bush can't have given any orders

He was frozen in place reading a children's book.

Cheney was no doubt surprised that his order wasn't good enough to set some sort of intercept in motion. And Rummy that fool...

Some of the colossal screw-up of that day is directly due to these incompetents.

Or? I still believe the Pennsylvannia plane was shot down chain of command or no. Who could have ordered that? Cheney?

[Cheswick2.0]

27. Well yes Cheney could have ordered that illegally

and maybe that is the problem. I have no idea. But I do know that Congress should be investigating this. The 9-11 commision is a joke.

[Cat Atomic]

25. You know, I've never been a LIHOP believer, but that it the

single best piece of evidence I've seen to support it.

[Karenina]

30. It's a biggie!

;-)

[Eurobabe]

28. they looked the other way...

set it up so it could happen, changed the rules of engagement, response procedures -- and then all merrily went on vacation.

[moof]

31. BUMP for obvious reasons

[RBHam]

32. Will the Media be forced to cover this bombshell???

Or will Tori Clarke suicide bomb herself on CNN one night when she finally runs out of lies and spinuendo as to what Rummy was REALLY up to that day.

On Paula "eva" Zahn Live( sp.backwards)yesterday, Peter Lance tried to pin Tori down on Rummy's being out of the loop and she resorted to the old Rummy was helping the injured at the Pentagon. But what was he doing for 55 minutes previous to that, after the WTC hits, WHEN HE WAS RESPONSIBLE for the Response to this terrorist attack???

Tori and the Newsweek guy double teamed Lance and agreed that it didn't matter anyway. It's Monday Morning quarterbacking, you see.
They finished the segment giggling over their agreement while Lance sat there stewing - not having any of his truly damaging challenges to the official time line being given even a modicum of consideration...

Holy Christ, CNN has truly become the "Ministry Of Truth", where newspeak and doublespeak rule.

Eastasia? No, Winston. We've always been at war with Eurasia...

[Corgigal]

34. Rummy was helping the injured at the Pentagon

Which is another point. What the hell good did he think he was going to do anyway? EMS/Police could do more then Rummy ever could. Wouldn't it been smarter for Rummy to run to a phone and get the "large picture" instead of playing first responder ?

Reminds me of a cop exercise. You arrive at the scene of a bank robbery and a few people appear shot on the floor. You also see the bank robber running out a door, who do you take care of first?
You follow the damn bank robber because he might shoot other people and it's EMS's job to help people on the floor. Might sound harsh to some of you but each profession as to know their priority.

I don't know you would think the Sec. Of Defense, might want to be sure our defense (good ole USA) was done FIRST.

[bobthedrummer]

33. Nice catch, Kagemusha-thanks for posting this.

[moof]

35. we have yet to begin to bump

[Spazito]

36. Kick

:kick: