Individual planned to detonate a suicide bomb at Fort Riley; your thoughts?

2015-04-10T12:53:04-04:00

I listened to a news conference in Kansas City, where a U.S. Attorney and an FBI SAIC described an individual named John Booker who planned to detonate a suicide bomb at Fort Riley today. Booker claimed to be a supporter of ISIL. He was arrested this morning by the FBI/JTTF. I think this demonstrates that the "homegrown threat" is real. What do you think of this news? Should we be concerned? Or are our intelligence and law enforcement agencies all over this sort of threat?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/kansas-man-latest-accused-isis-sympathizer-nabbed-fbi/story?id=30225036

ISIS-Inspired Men Accused in Ft. Hood-Type Attack Plot

This follows a string of similar arrests in the U.S.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 1:29 PM

2015-04-10T13:29:19-04:00

If folks think that they are safe here in the U.S., think again. These are just the ones we know about. How many other plots have been thwarted that we don't know about? It angers me that folks would take up arms against their own country and harm their fellow countrymen.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-04-10T13:49:29-04:00

https://youtu.be/42JQYPioVo4

Be prepared, and be ready. However they can be cunning, but they are not the brightest, that is why them mostly target defenseless individuals, innocents. Carry a knife, or a stick, maze if you can't carry a firearm.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/42JQYPioVo4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Response by SSG John Erny made Apr 10 at 2015 1:56 PM

2015-04-10T13:56:59-04:00

I say take him to the Demo Range and let him set off his bomb all by him self. Damn Traitor

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 10 at 2015 2:29 PM

2015-04-10T14:29:46-04:00

I have air cav family at Riley that I have been to hell and back with. I am going to follow this thread very closely. This is the first I heard of it.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 10 at 2015 2:43 PM

2015-04-10T14:43:06-04:00

FBI, feel free to go through my mail, email, phone calls, trash, and 2am RallyPoint threads. Find these whackos on our soil and do whatever the law allows.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 3:01 PM

2015-04-10T15:01:45-04:00

I am falling somewhere in-between. Right now that majority of 'home-grown terrorists' appear to fall more in the category of 'wannabe'. When the real believers start coming out, that's when the concern will really begin showing. Intel & LE have a bead on many, but cells are, by nature, reclusive, & not all will be discovered in time to deter them.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Apr 10 at 2015 3:09 PM

2015-04-10T15:09:51-04:00

Homegrown terrorism exists. While I really wish it did not, it does...and is doing quite well. Look at some of the cases (keep in mind that some are associated with organizations, some not): Unabomber, McVey, Ft Hood, Ft. Lewis/McCord, Boston Marathon (not homegrown, but....).... the list goes on and on. We should rely on the various agencies to investigate and try to root out these people/groups (preferably BEFORE they act), but I would also say that it is every individual's responsibility to maintain situational awareness....report stuff that is "funny" or "out of the norm"..... that may be the tip that wins the day.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 3:15 PM

2015-04-10T15:15:09-04:00

Here's a link to the criminal complaint against Booker. Gives some interesting insight into how these things happen:

http://www.kansascity.com/news/government-politics/article18133223.ece/BINARY/Criminal%20complaint%20against%20John%20T.%20Booker%20%28pdf%29

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 10 at 2015 3:20 PM

2015-04-10T15:20:00-04:00

Fort Riley? Why? Not gonna blow up much more than dirt and tumbleweeds...

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 10 at 2015 4:56 PM

2015-04-10T16:56:30-04:00

GREAT JOB Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the FBI agents involved, our system IS working!

For our military families and friends in the surrounding community of Fort Riley, I am sure they are relieved! I am happy that that big brother was looking out for the Families of the military and civilian workforce. This is another win today, HOOAH!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 6:27 PM

2015-04-10T18:27:45-04:00

More Muslim-brand terrorism.

Response by MSgt Steve Miller made Apr 10 at 2015 7:13 PM

2015-04-10T19:13:15-04:00

It's nut cases like this that have provided a path way to our lose in freedoms, as Homeland Security can pretty much stick a scope up anyones backside with no justification other than they think its a good idea. We will be fighting these nut jobs for a longtime to come, so brace for the possibility of further lose in freedoms. About the only place there is no cameras is in bathrooms......or is there and we just can see them!

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Apr 10 at 2015 8:14 PM

2015-04-10T20:14:45-04:00

Does anybody know what the chicken scratches on that flag says. I wonder if it says "remember the Alamo" or Something significante like that.

Response by SPC Patrick Gearardo made Apr 10 at 2015 8:20 PM

2015-04-10T20:20:10-04:00

It's hard to fight an enemy that doesn't wear a uniform. Sleeper cells are the biggest threats we face everywhere.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 9:00 PM

2015-04-10T21:00:45-04:00

FT Riley has an impact area, right? Couldn't we let him detonate the suicide bomb there? Then everyone wins! (dark humor)

Response by SFC Stephen Hester made Apr 10 at 2015 9:26 PM

2015-04-10T21:26:07-04:00

Law enforcement and Intel folks do the best they can; it's the one that's not on anyone's radar that we need to be on the lookout for.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2015 10:46 PM

2015-04-10T22:46:42-04:00

Public execution, send a clear message

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 10 at 2015 11:01 PM

2015-04-10T23:01:09-04:00

The threat is real and present and we need to be mental prepared. We have been under attack for decades...for so long that we almost forget the 9/11 was the second attack on the World Trade Center...you guys remember that?

They poke and poke, and then it hurts and we stir a little, but then the politicians decide their reelection is more important than our safety and they forget why we went into Afghanistan and Iraq and start trying to place blame. We will be attacked again, and again, and when they really hurt us again we might do something again...for a little while.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Apr 11 at 2015 12:15 AM

2015-04-11T00:15:12-04:00

This is pretty much everything rolled up in one.
1. More power to the Intel agencies that nailed them.
2. I hope more Muslims realize what a shame this is.
3. No one is safe in war.
4. When the real whackos and loons come out, we're in trouble. Why this isn't happening more often is a sign most Muslims are in fact honest folk. But wait until the full moon.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 11 at 2015 3:16 AM

2015-04-11T03:16:02-04:00

A bit dated (2006), but still on point:

http://www.fbi.gov/news/speeches/the-threat-of-homegrown-terrorism

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 11 at 2015 3:18 AM

2015-04-11T03:18:48-04:00

http://www.npr.org/2015/02/18/387131815/communities-called-on-to-help-prevent-home-grown-terrorism

U.S. Communities Called On To Prevent Homegrown Terrorism

Preventing homegrown terrorism is the focus of meetings at the White House this week. Experts say more than 20,000 foreign fighters have traveled to Syria to sign up with the so-called Islamic State.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2015 4:16 AM

2015-04-11T04:16:06-04:00

Be the sheepdog never the sheep!

Kid was an idiot. The FBI have been on this guy from the start after posting all kinds of jihadist bullshit online and then trying to join the Army. Glad they got him before he could execute his plan. We must remain vigilant even at home, this guy was an amateur but, there are professionals out there planning all over the country.

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made Apr 11 at 2015 7:30 AM

2015-04-11T07:30:55-04:00

The best time to think am i ready .
If you are ready hooraa. if not check your inventory they are bound to get one threw.
I am not ragging on the law enforcment they have done a very good job so far.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2015 9:07 PM

2015-04-11T21:07:27-04:00

And here comes the defense. I guess it will be an insanity defense.

Word today is that another individual, Alexander Blair, will be charged for not reporting Booker.

Here's an update:

http://www.ibtimes.com/alleged-isis-bomb-plot-john-t-booker-kansas-man-arrested-fort-riley-mentally-ill-was-1878434

Response by TSgt David L. made Apr 12 at 2015 6:54 AM

2015-04-12T06:54:57-04:00

Death Penalty. Period. Stop spending money to provide life to those who want to kill us...

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 12 at 2015 8:45 AM

2015-04-12T08:45:09-04:00

The insider threat is our most dangerous threat.

Until we start profiling and actively seeking (hunting/pursuing) the threat, we are just sitting and waiting, which is not a good plan. Countries who have real Working Antiterrorism programs don't concern themsleves with political correctness and stay focused on the the real threat.

This also makes life harder, each time, for all US Soldiers who are Arabic, Muslim etc., it causes many to stereotype, generalize, worry and at times over react.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2015 1:32 PM

2015-04-12T13:32:24-04:00

Just glad they foiled his plans. And hope more people wake up to the fact this can and will continue to happen.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2015 4:54 PM

2015-04-12T16:54:14-04:00

It has just been a matter of time before some nut job decided to do this. No telling how many more sleeper cells are out there just waiting to act - or who have acted and not been able to follow it through.

360 Situational Awareness at all times.

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Apr 12 at 2015 6:51 PM

2015-04-12T18:51:05-04:00

They are even more of a concern now that the President allowed all those immigrants here. More of our military are overseas so the bad guys come over here. Works perfect right obama?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 12 at 2015 7:38 PM

2015-04-12T19:38:52-04:00

- Home grown terrorism and threats from overseas is here to stay.
- We need to give the intelligence community room to maneuver properly.
- Stop destabilizing countries.
- Monitor immigration from the ME and do not give them cart blanche opportunity to live here. France has a decent contingent of MEs, and a city and some towns are under Muslim law.
- It is the poor ME countries who have insurgents.
- The strength of insurgents is their ideology which is most difficult to defeat.