Explosives Theft Puts Millions at Risk

Yesterday, it came to light that more than 380 tons of HMX and RDX explosives had been looted from the Iraqi base called ‘Al-QaQaa’ outside Baghdad back in September of 2003. While it may not sound like much, HMX and RDX are two hugely powerful explosives. In fact, HMX and RDX can be used to demolish buildings, down jetliners, produce warheads for missiles and detonate nuclear weapons.

This happened because there was a total lack of security at the base, as reported by the Associated Press yesterday: “The Iraqis told the nuclear agency the materials were stolen and looted because of a lack of security at governmental installations, Fleming said. ''We do not know what happened to the explosives or when they were looted,'' she told AP. A European diplomat familiar with the disappearance of the explosives said their presence was widely known. The Associated Press drove past the compound Monday and saw no visible security at the gates of the site, a jumble of low-slung, yellow storage buildings that appeared deserted.”

It’s difficult to imagine how this can increase the security of the United States. Ever since the invasion of Iraq, US control has been eroding, and Baghdad, Fallujah, and other areas are now havens for the likes of Al-Sadr’s militia, Hamas, Al-Qaeda, the Palestinian Liberation Organization, and countless others who would gladly use the stolen explosives against us. Indeed, there’s already talk that some of the improvised explosive devices that are killing US troops on a daily basis are made up from some of the stolen munitions.

What’s even more chilling, though, is the potential for international terrorism that the stolen munitions represent. 380 tons is a difficult number to comprehend, so let’s do a little math. Remember Pan Am flight 103, that was destroyed by Libyan terrorists over Lockerbie, Scotland back on December 21, 1988? It was brought down by about one pound of Semtex, a Czechoslovakian made explosive containing both HMX and RDX.

As AirDisaster.com describes it: "The aircraft broke up in-flight shortly after an explosive device, contained in a portable plastic radio in the cargo hold, detonated. The aircraft's nose separated at approximately the L2 door, and fell to the ground. Thirteen miles away, portions of the fuselage and wing structure impacted the town of Lockerbie, Scotland.”

There are 2,000 pounds in one ton. So, with 380 tons of explosive looted, that gives us the potential for 760,000 Lockerbie-style aircraft bombings in the years to come. That’s a huge number, but what does that mean in terms of human lives?

259 people died when Pan Am 103 went down, plus 11 more on the ground. The aircraft was a first-generation Boeing 747-100. Using today’s equivalent, the Boeing 747-400, reveals some stunning numbers. This aircraft currently seats between 416-524 people. So, if we pick a random, yet generous 425 persons per flight, that gives us an astonishing 323,000,000 people that could be killed using the stolen explosives. That’s more than the entire population of the United States!!!

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The Airbus A-380, scheduled to enter service in 2006, can seat 555 people. Don’t you think that any terrorist would love the chance to blow up one of those on its maiden voyage?