Antiterrorism: stay vigilant during holiday season Published Dec. 16, 2011 By Donna Smith Joint Base Antiterrorism Office JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- For most of us, the end of the calendar year is a time for shopping, family gatherings and holiday celebrations. But unfortunately, terrorist groups and organizations do not take time off for the holidays. The Provisional Irish Republican Army bombed Harrods department store in London, killing nine people and injuring 91 in December 1983. Two years later, just after Christmas, terrorists from the Abu Nidal Organization attacked the El Al ticket counters at the Rome and Vienna airports, killing 18 and wounding 121. Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed over Scotland by Libyan intelligence agents, killing 270 people Dec. 21, 1988. The attacks continue, including several in the past decade. A young British man attempted to ignite his shoes, which contained explosives, before he was overpowered by passengers and crew on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami Dec. 22, 2001. A man who will forever be known as the "Underwear Bomber" was overpowered by passengers as he attempted to bring down a Northwest Airlines flight as it was landing in Detroit on Christmas Day in 2009. If successful, these two attacks would have killed nearly 500 people. These terror attacks were committed for a variety of reasons - the removal of troops, the destruction of a country and revenge. The more recent attacks were attempted by a committed al Qaeda operative and a young man believed to have been influenced, if not directed by, the now deceased Yemeni cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. As we celebrate the holiday season with our families and friends, let us not forget there are still extremists motivated by political, social or religious motives who desire to bring harm to others. Continued vigilance; recognition of indicators and warning signs; and appropriate sharing of information among law enforcement professionals can save lives and prevent a devastating attack. You should immediately report any unusual situations or suspicious incidents to either the local police or to the Joint Base Security Forces at 562-6001. Start a new holiday tradition - practice holiday security awareness. The Joint Base Antiterrorism Office wishes the entire joint base family a safe holiday season and a very peaceful and prosperous new year.