December 15, 2023 – In Breaking News – FOX BUSINESS
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is warning agents to be on the lookout for explosive devices.
A federal law-enforcement source shared with FOX Business Network an internal officer safety alert dated December 13th that warns CBP agents to be vigilant after the Mexican military seized 10 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the border.
The IEDs were found by Mexican authorities after Tucson border patrol observed gunshots at the U.S.-Mexico border, and a Tucson supervisory border patrol agent arrested an armed person on the U.S. side who had a loaded AK-47 rifle, two loaded AK magazines, loose rounds, and a handgun.
(FOX Business’ Hillary Vaughn reports on safety concerns along the southern border after ten improvised explosive devices were found by the Mexican military. Courtesy of Cartel Watch, FOX BUSINESS and YouTube. Posted on Dec 15, 2023.)
CBP is warning its agents to “exercise extreme caution and should report any possible armed subjects approaching the border with possible explosive devices,” according to the memo.
A source tells FOX Business this cartel gunfight erupted over a gap in the border fence at the ranch that is typically used to smuggle drugs through. Now, it’s a magnet for the cartel for human smuggling — and the gangs were fighting for control.
CBP’s warning comes as Republicans are pushing for increased border safety measures to be included in President Biden’s $106 billion aid package for Israel and Ukraine.
GOP border hawks have demanded that any aid package include the entirety of H.R. 2 — the House signature legislation passed in the chamber this year, which ramps up border security, restarts border wall construction, brings back the Remain-in-Mexico policy, and limits the use of asylum and humanitarian parole among other sweeping changes.
However, President Biden and Senate Democrats have rejected the sweeping border security bill, claiming that it would “cut off nearly all access to humanitarian protections in ways that are inconsistent with our Nation’s values and international obligations.”
Continue reading… US Border Patrol warned to be safe, vigilant after 10 IEDs found
ATF NCETR and Army G-38 Honored in 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards, the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, now entering its Ninth Year, recognizes industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR), and the U.S. Army G-38
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Excellence in Public Safety and Community Resilience
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Raven’s Challenge
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Raven’s Challenge Exercises, which are administered by the ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR) and funded by the U.S. Army G-38, are the largest, globally recognized explosives ordnance and public safety bomb specialist training events in the world.
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The Raven’s Challenge is an annual, national-level, interagency, and international counter-improvised explosive device exercise series focused on improving interoperability between public safety bomb squads and military explosive ordnance disposal by incorporating threat scenarios in realistic operational environments.
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Focusing on emerging threats and scene exploitation are key elements to anticipate future IED threats.
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Raven’s Challenge Exercise scenarios focus on capabilities between public safety bomb squads and military EOD teams in operational environments.
(Learn more about the Raven’s Challenge Interoperability Exercise, an international training event to prepare and counter the threat of improvised explosive devices. Courtesy of ATFHQ and YouTube.)
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Raven’s Challenge Exercises involve EOD teams from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps, including active duty, reserve, and guard components; local and state PSBS; Department of Defense; Department of Justice; and international law enforcement.
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International participation has increased to include North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO nations and other European and North African nations, whose close collaboration and participation are a testament to the C-IED expertise and professionalism of all involved and the importance of the subject matter.
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Supporting military and public safety bomb technician annual training requirements, Raven’s Challenge guides policy regarding C-IED national preparedness efforts.
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The challenge continues to grow public safety partnerships between local, state, and international jurisdictions for the prevention, protection, mitigation, and response to man-made threats faced by nations and their communities, with collaborations and tailored scenarios that expose participants to emerging threats in diverse environments keep this full-scale exercise extremely relevant and at the cutting edge of C-IED global exercises.
(In early March 2023, ATF, U.S. military, and law enforcement members descended on Pinal Airpark near Marana for the first of this year’s Raven’s Challenge exercises. Raven’s Challenge exercises incorporate scenarios focused on interoperability capabilities between public safety bomb squads and military explosive ordnance disposal units in operational environments. Pinal Airpark’s unique setup, which allows access to full-size retired aircraft, and the open space and hospitable weather make it the perfect facility for this type of exercise. Courtesy of Pinal County and YouTube.)
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ATF NCETR consolidates the agency’s key explosives, fire, canine, and response operations at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
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NCETR consists of the Explosives Enforcement and Training Division; Explosives Research and Development Division; and the Fire Investigation and Arson Enforcement Division.
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Other components include the National Canine Division in Front Royal, Virginia, and the National Explosives Task Force in Washington, District of Columbia.
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NATO recognizes Raven’s Challenge Exercises as the leading edge counter improvised explosives device exercise.
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*The ATF was also Recognized in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.
The pinnacle of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security and Government Excellence Awards is the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Ceremony and Banquet Luncheon.
In 2023, this exclusive sold-out event featured at ISC East, well over two hundred representatives of law enforcement, public safety, and industry leaders came together to honor the selfless service of those who stand on the front lines – and those who stand beside them – providing the capabilities and technologies to create a safer world for future generations.
Comprehensive collaborations between these private and public sectors have led to the development of innovative intelligence and technologies that serve to protect our Nation.
Steven Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) and Explosives, delivered the keynote address at the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security and Excellence in Public Safety Awards Ceremony and Banquet Luncheon.
Director Dettelbach spoke with passion on the epidemic of Gun Violence by Illegal Guns taking place across the United States, which results in over 125 deaths daily and impacting generations of families – leaving open chairs at holiday events.
Firearm injuries were the leading case of death for children for the third year in a row, he explained, and have doubled in the U.S. since 2021, levels that are simply intolerable.
Director Dettelbach lauded the strong partnerships with Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Policing that ATF has earned and relies upon to reduce violence and spoke with admiration as a former prosecutor on the selfless sense of mission and drive that is universal across the entire First Responder Community.
The prestigious Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program highlights the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
The ‘ASTORS’ was specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit, and intelligence to end-users in a variety of government, homeland security, enterprise, and public safety vertical markets.
The 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by Platinum Event Sponsor: NEC National Security Systems (NSS)
And Our RETURNING Premier Sponsors:
ATI Systems, Automatic Systems of America,
Guard Dog AI, IPVideo Corporation, Rajant Corporation, RX Global, SIMS Software, and American Security Today!
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old-school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace and brings forward a fresh, compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorials that provide solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches Private and public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from the Government at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as from private firms allied to the government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants and Dams, Bridges and Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting and Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools and Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Be On the LookOut for the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2023 ‘A Year in Review.’
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition reviews ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.
It will serve as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2023 Products and Services’ endorsed by American Security Today and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware, and Networking Security – to name a few), the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have WHAT YOU NEED to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It will also include featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders and recognized firms in the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2024 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
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