Applying UFC 4-010-01 in Baghdad, Iraq

In July 2002 the US Department of Defense (DoD) published the Unified Facilities Criteria (DoD UFC 4-010-01). "This document represents a significant commitment by DoD to seek effective ways to minimize the likelihood of mass casualties from terrorist attacks against DoD personnel in the buildings in which they work and live (UFC 4-010-01, Page 1-1)." In August 2003 these standards were applied in a detailed assessment of the Ishtar Sheraton and Palestine Meridian Hotels in Baghdad, Iraq. Following combat operations, the US military cordoned off access to the hotels to create a single defendable complex. A large contingency of DoD and contractor personnel were planned to occupy these hotels and a detailed assessment was immediately required. UFC 4-010-01 provided a checklist of 23 individual standards and 16 additional recommendations to reduce the risk of mass casualties from a terrorist attack. A five-step assessment process outlined in this paper ensured a comprehensive anti-terrorist system based on the UFC 4-010-01 individual standards and additional recommendations. Comprehensive anti-terrorist systems are essential to meeting the desired defensive posture to protect innocent civilians from terrorist attacks. Specific techniques and recommendations were used that could benefit the development of similar systems for other buildings to form an effective antiterrorist barrier system.