Al Qaeda Reportedly Targeting The Air Force Academy
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- Al Qaeda is reportedly targeting the Air Force Academy. An online Al Qaeda magazine is threatening more attacks on the U.S. and Colorado Springs could be a target.
It's parents weekend at the Air Force Academy. Each car entering the campus was inspected for any possible sign of a threat.
The Al Qaeda English language online magazine is now suggesting targets for Lone Wolf terror attacks. Among them listed are Times Square, Las Vegas and the Air Force Academy.
Even the CBS4 news vehicles drew attention, "They told me to tell you guys to go back into the parking lot area. It's a security issue," one Air Force Academy security officer said.
The academy is a place of learning but it's also an important symbol, according to University of Denver terrorism expert Dr. Ved Nanda.
"When you talk about the U.S. power and U.S. policy and U.S. strength they would like to create that type of impression that they are citadels of that kind of strength," said Nanda.
The terror group's magazine details how to create a bomb.
Two years ago the magazine gave instructions on how to create firebombs and suggested attacks on U.S. forests in the West.
A month later the Waldo Canyon Fire broke out in Colorado Springs, killing two and destroying some 300 homes. Although no connection has been made with the Al Qaeda threat, no cause has been determined.
The Air Force Academy issued a statement, "We remain vigilant and maintain all the appropriate protocols of a military installation to include force protection and being cognizant of existing and emerging threats."
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