Being a UK resident I am not completly sure on protection detail in the US.
However, I strongly doubt that the gov’ of Florida was taken to a bunker. This is for a number of reasons.
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Only VIP’s who are vital to maintain a working government would be taken underground or on Air Force One. This is so diplomacy can still happen and counter action can be taken if needs be. I.e. The presidents ‘football’ which is a briefcase containing ‘The BIG RED BUTTON’ (nuclear etc).
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On doing some brief research I cannot find any information on any direct risk to the life of the gov’ of Florida so there would be no need to take him to a bunker. However due to hightened security his personal protection would have been placed on a higher state of alert. He maybe related to the President but his status would not have been that big to grant such high levels of security.
President Bush directly after and during the events of 9/11 was taken aboard Air Force One. This is standard procedure. The modified Boing 474 was also escourted by F-16 fighter Jets. Some may question taking the president air bourne but this is the safest place for him during such events. He is not in a single place so it would be harder to pin point him etc. Also Air Force One is like a flying tank. It can actually withstand a PULSE from a nuclear blast. (this was not just made up for the Harrison Ford film, it is an actual feature of the plane).
Just for your information.
In Britain there is no actual ‘Secret Service’. The British secret service is MI5 and MI6. James Bond, 007 etc etc.
The job of protecting the Royal family is the job of The Metropolitan Police (London). It is a unit of elite detectives (about 300 strong, 50 civilian staff). They are called SO14 (Special Operations Unit 14). They will normally be called in the press ‘Royal Detectives’, ‘Personal Protection Officers’ etc.
The job of protecting Diplomats (Tony Blair etc) is also the job of the Metropolitan Police (London). It is a different unit of elite detectives (again about 300-400 strong). These officers are called SO16 (Special Operations Unit 16).
These units operate on a low key, discreet basis. It may seem that British VIPs have little or no protection but trust me they do. All bodyguards train with the elite SAS army unit. They are expert marksmen (all are armed with Glock 9MM handguns). They also are trained in self defence and unarmed combat.
On top of this there is SO17 which protect buildings like Buckingham Palace and the Parliament building (Where Big Ben is). There is also the ‘Special Escourt Group’ which is a unit of highly skilled drivers and motorcicle outriders.
The Queen (for her Golden Jubillee) was given a new state limousine. It cost £10 million (roughly $17 million, i think). It is bulletproof, bombproof - to an extent. It has anti-mine cladding, flat run tyres (ie the car can drive perfectly if the tyres are shot at. The whole car can also be sealed off in case of a gas attack. In total, for the royal family, there are about 20 limousines.
The diplomats mainly use Jaguars. These have the same features as mentioned above. They use ‘normal looking cars’ so as not to look out of place in London traffic and thus to divert from a potential security risk.
Also, there is SO19. This is another elite unit which specialises in ‘Marksmen’. This unit is responsible for rooftop snipers etc. These are rarely used due to the simple fact that they are not needed that often. I last read they were used after 9/11 and on the first year memorial. On top of this, when you see the old fashioned looking soldiers on horses etc (Changing of the guard etc) they are not only there for pagintary but they do actually have a security role and harry more modern weaponary consealed in their uniforms. If you look closely you will see the earpieces under their helmet straps.
I think that is about all the useless, boring information I can inflict on you regarding British security. I just realised I wrote all that for nothing. Ah well I can’t be bothered to delete it now.
email if you have any questions.
Enjoy.
Kris. (chrisowens@ntlworld.com)
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