Here’s the text of an April letter from Mayor Tom Potter to the U.S. Navy authorizing last night’s helicopter training exercises downtown, which caught Portlanders by surprise and scared a good number of them.
Potter spokesman John Doussard says the city’s central dispatch line got about 50 concerned calls last night as the military helicopters buzzed over the Park Blocks.
“I think next time we would handle it differently,” Doussard says.
Potter’s letter says, in part:
“I understand that this training will include low visibility movement, military operations in urban terrain, manual and low weight explosive breaching, fast rope insertion, live fire,”
—which the Naval Safety Center calls “a hazardous but necessary part of combat training”—”
low power training ammunition, simmunitions, flash bang, surveillance and counter surveillance.”
As war geeks know, the Naval Special Warfare Development Group is a real hot-shit bunch.
The Oregonian reports today that the training will continue.
Again, here’s the full text of Potter’s letter:
April 7, 2008
Captain Scott P. Moore
Commanander [sic], Naval Special Warfare Development Group
1636 Regulus Avenue
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23461Dear Captain Moore:
I am pleased to extend you an invitation to conduct Urban Military Training in our City from August 17 to 30, 2008.
In a letter from your command, dated November 14, 2007 requesting permission to conduct training, you stated that members of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group and Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment would utilize buildings in the jurisdiction of the City of Portland for this training exercise. I understand that this training will include low visibility movement, military operations in urban terrain, manual and low weight explosive breaching, fast rope insertion, live fire, low power training ammunition, simmunitions, flash bang, surveillance and counter surveillance.
I have been informed that all training has been coordinated through and approved by all involved government entities, as well as the representatives/owners of each property, and that all liability for your personnel and their actions during training rests with the Navy. I have also been informed that extensive planning and coordination has already been conducted and that Sergeant Mike Lieb of the Tactical Operations Division will act as liaison for this exercise.
I welcome the opportunity to support the United States Navy as you develop the techniques and tactics necessary to protect our country. We look forward to your group having a safe and productive training exercise in our City.
Sincerely,
Tom Potter
Mayor
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Tags: Nanny State
more terror drills for portland…
desensitizing people to seeing black helicopters & the military training to take over cities, so if/when it happens ‘for real’ people won’t worry…
oh well, obama will save us all
oh well, obama will save us all… right?
Im guessing you are not aware of the fact that the Naval Special Warfare Development Group is a Counter-terrorist unit. This is normal Special Operations military training that has been happening for years.
A "Counter-terrorist unit" huh? In this case, that sounds remarkably Orwellian.
According to an article in the Oregonian, these "counter-terrorists" were creating a little terror of their own:
Jennie Logsdon-Martin was at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower on Monday evening when black helicopters swooped by her 12th-floor room, slamming a window shut with the force of the wind.
She looked out and saw a helicopter so close "you could see the guys’ teeth," the Tillamook resident said. "It was just scary."
One guest began crying, and others anxiously watched as the helicopters landed and took off at nearby office buildings, she said.
The sudden appearance of black helicopters carrying apparently armed men and buzzing around Portland generated dozens of calls to emergency dispatchers and the mayor’s office from residents and visitors.
Under federal law, these training maneuvers cannot be conducted in the city without the approval of the city. An examination of city law indicates that Potter lacked the power to authorize these exercises on his own but rather required the full authorization of the city council though I doubt we have any city council members with enough integrity to challenge Potter’s over extension of his authority in court.
I’m surprised Potter allowed this since they weren’t using alternative means of transportation.
They should have been riding bikes or at least using hybrid helicopters.
I’m not surprised that Potter told them it was OK. He may have opted out of Portland Police being part of that Federal Task Force project a few years ago, but I’m sure he got his wrists slapped by some agency. But remember, he was involved with (illegally) releasing to the ADL those confidential police files. (And, no, I’m not an anti-Semite…I’m a self hating Jew. Thanks for asking.)
I do find it interesting that this exercise occurred without Potter submitting it to the full city council for consideration, and it is happening while almost all our city’s leadership is in Denver for the Democratic Convention and unable to determine whether or not Potter broke the law in authorizing the action without the approval of the city council.
it seems the only people potter and company forgot to tell about their festivities were those who actually pay for these fun and games. funny how that works out isn’t it. in a day and age where people shit over a backpack left at a bus stop or a cartoon ad made out of "lite-brite" one would think that the powers that live off of the rest of us might be respectful enough to let us know ahead of time. yeah, like that’s going to happen.
Too bad that they fail to snatch Sam Adams.
Little Tommy Potter has NO RIGHT to sign off for THE PEOPLE OF PORTLAND without our knowledge and consent!!
HE is NOT our ‘LEGAL GUARDIAN’, making decisions FOR US like we are retarded or CHILDREN.
THIS IS AN OUTRAGE.
He needs to be thrown out, TONIGHT!!!
STORM CITY HALL!!!
Questions for Mayor Potter:
1. Why was this decision made in secret without the participation (or even knowledge) of the Commissioners?
2. What public safety issues were taken into consideration prior to granting permission?
3. Was any effort made to determine what public safety concerns arose as a result of this training in Boston, New York, Chicago, and Denver?
4. Exactly what was the agreement between DoD and the City of Portland concerning advance notification of the public? Same communication failure in Denver: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX6u8kqL5Z8
5. How do I get my vote back?
Ed wrote: "An examination of city law indicates that Potter lacked the power to authorize these exercises on his own but rather required the full authorization of the city council though I doubt we have any city council members with enough integrity to challenge Potter’s over extension of his authority in court."
Question: If no city council member is willing to do it, would a citizen or group of citizens have any legal standing to challenge Potter’s apparent abuse of power?
Why didnt they ask Bernie Giusto to participate? Live rounds…Im almost giddy at the thought…:)
It’s a riot to read comments demanding to know by what authority Potter "allowed" the Feds to train here without the full consent of the council or the people.
Funny, I say the same thing every time they BF me with a new tax, tram or bike path.
What happened to all the "I support the troops" BS? If something ever happened here, I hope they don’t even bother to respond.
Aw, Matthew, you know if we actually get "invaded" for real you’ll break out your arsenal and we’ll all stand shoulder to shoulder to defend our community, our state, our country. OK, I’ll be one of the folks in the shadows making IEDs to blow up the invading army — you can man the front.
Old Zeb, here is an interesting voice out of history :
"You cannot invade the mainland United States.
There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass."
- Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
(Japanese Navy)
Like you noted, it is a similar sentiment that informed many an Iraqi’s response to our takeover of their country…
The people of Portland can find anything to whine about. Why don’t you people get a grip and let the Dept. of Defense try to be ready to save your sorry butts. I am glad to see them not forgeting that there are people over here on this coast also and if they wanted to land in my back yard I would be more than happy to let them.
And if the SEALs had an accident and killed someone or destroyed public/private property, you think it would be easy to sue or get compensation? Ya, good luck. No one is ever going to invade the US. It is a logistics nightmare unless you are in East Siberia. This is meant to be a show of force to the American citizens to let them know that the GOV can f%ck with you whenever they want. And I’m sure Potter(and the property owners) got a nice kickback for giving authorization when everyone else is out of town. That way all the money goes to him with no objections. I don’t see any pissed off citizens down at city hall with torches and guns ready to run him out of town on a rail either.
wrnchbndr writes on Aug 28th, 2008 6:29am
"The people of Portland can find anything to whine about."
What a joke. The chief of police of San Antonio "whined" about this ten years ago. youtube Al Philippus.
There is absolutely no reason to train with low visibility movement and live fire inside any U.S. city.
Welcome to the American police state. Equal of the American empire.
marcus tullius
Whats the problem you got a pot growing operation that they might find?
If the terrorists ever hit Portland you can bet you’ll be the first to demand protection and the first to file a lawsuit because you don’t think that their response was quick enough.
marcus tullius
You obviously lack any knowledge of what DEVGRU is and does. There are definitely reasons to have that type of military exercise. If Americans citizens are ever taken hostage in any country, DEVGRU is the unit that is going to rescue them.
This is a necessary part of training for DEVGRU, which is a highly advanced unit. The purpose of this training is not to defend against invasion, spy on citizens, or implement martial law, but simply to conduct realistic training in metropolitan environments. The DoD has plenty of urban training facilities, but nothing that compares in size and complexity to a city. The scary ordnance being used would include blank ammo (live fire), paint rounds (simmunition), bolt cutters/sledge hammers (manual breaching), door poppers (explosive breaching), and glorified fireworks (flash bangs), all of which amounts to something you’d find on the set of a mild action movie.
These guys are most likely conducting hostage rescue training in the event something ever happens overseas. For domestic issues, the FBI has a hostage rescue team (military cannot perform such duties within the US). As for surveillance training, the military is forbidden watching civilians in the US. They use role players instead.
It’s ok to be anti-military, or disagree with the training, but these guys just want to be prepared in the event that US civilians get caught in a bad situation overseas. If that’s not something you can stand behind, group together and voice it your local leaders. As far as urban training goes, there is nothing special about Portland that can’t be replicated at another city.
The first ones to whine about a special operations unit or a police unit for that matter, shooting a terrorist or a criminal that is using a child as a sheild are also the first ones to whine about the Seals or a police rapid response unit or any other "violent" unit that trains.Yes, OMG they actaully train. Its horrible, its violent, and they may have to use their skills to save your life.
Listen "social justice" doesn’t occur after we all sit around the campfire and sing Kum-ba- yah. It comes with a price usually with the threat or the discreationary use of force. Laws mean nothing without the police to enforce them. International law means nothing without the means to enforce it. Ever wonder why Bush went to South America to buy all that land? Hes scared of the World Court. We all know you idiots hate the military and the police so what. The military will still die and train for your right to whine and hate them. You don’t seem to complain when firemen are burning down vacant houses and training to put out fires. Its more dangerous stupid. But you are all over the Seals. Get on with your life. You don’t know anything about them.It is not "Orwellian". Your SWAT team is doing the same thing if they are worth their salt. Stop wringing your hands go back to the campfire and keep singing. We all" no ware is worth the price". If it makes you feel better; continue to smile and be smuggly aware that you are better than all of those violent police, speical forces, and firemen that protect you. Feel smug and secure they made it that way for you.