WP: D.C. Airspace Authority Changes Weighed

[DeepModem Mom]

Airspace Authority Changes Weighed
By Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 22, 2005; Page A10


Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff are near agreement on a plan to give the military sole authority to shoot down civilian aircraft that violate restricted airspace over Washington, a Pentagon official said yesterday.

The proposed change follows the incursion May 11 by two lost pilots who strayed into the heart of a 16-mile-radius no-fly zone over the capital, prompting evacuations of the White House, U.S. Capitol and other buildings.

Military fighter jets diverted the single-engine Cessna when it was within a minute of reaching those potential targets. In the tense seconds beforehand, however, there was confusion over whether military commanders could legally order U.S. customs aircraft trailing the plane to open fire if jets could not get there in time, authorities said.

"There are gaps and seams remaining in terms of interagency coordination," Paul McHale, assistant secretary of defense for homeland security, testified yesterday to the House Government Reform Committee, which reviewed U.S. air defenses.

"There needs to be unity of command," he said later in an interview. "The need for that . . . is recognized by Secretary Rumsfeld and Secretary Chertoff."...


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/21/AR2005072101930.html

[Jara sang]

1. Great, what next? Shoot first ask questions later for lost hikers as well?

Somebody that inadvertantly stumbles upon a military base in the backcountry is going to be shot as a consequence? :sarcasm:

[mbperrin]

2. Wonder if they've ever considered that when you shoot something DOWN

that's where it goes.

Like DOWN where the Congresspeople are, regular citizens are, the Supreme Court....hey, I just found 2 good reasons to shoot something DOWN! ;)

[Oreo]

3. Blackhawk Customs Helicopters?

Military jets and ground-to-air missile systems in the area are under the control of the North American Aerospace Defense Command. But Customs and Border Protection agents, who patrol aboard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, have authority as federal law enforcement officers to use lethal force if lives are threatened. Some Customs Black Hawks are armed with laser-sighted sniper rifles that can be fired at a pilot of a slow-flying intruder.

Why would armed customs helicopters be in the DC area and why would they be able to get to the plane faster than military jets or choppers?