According to a news report out of Houston this morning, police there found an AT-4 shoulder-mounted rocket launcher like the one shown in the photo above, alleged to belong to a man by the name of Nabilaye I. Yansane, in a southwest Houston apartment complex. Though I have yet to see comments by members of the Obama Administration in response to the news about this weapon, I have some ideas about what they might say:
“This was just an isolated incident.” — President Barack Obama
“Obviously, this was a mix-up. The rocket launcher was probably left there by a careless veteran returning from Iraq or Afghanistan.” — Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano
“Arabs traditionally welcome the New Year by firing larger, more powerful fireworks than we do in the United States.” — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
“It’s probably something the guy picked up at an Army surplus store and doesn’t deserve any more attention than it’s already received from Fox News.” — Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Unfortunately, I suspect all of the above comments will be proven reckless and wrong. That said, should Americans be concerned about such a discovery?
According to a retired Navy SEAL friend of mine, the AT-4 is a one-time-use weapon capable of hitting a target from 300 yards, can bring down aircraft and can be remotely fired. Best of all for the one using it, my combat-veteran friend says, it’s the weapon of choice — short of a Stinger missile, that is — for someone who wants to take out a hardened vehicle like those used for executive protection.
Developing…
Hat tip: Jihad Watch
UPDATE 12/31/09 at 1:10 p.m Central: Remember the news story about the Continental Airlines pilot who, in June, reported a missile had flown past his aircraft while it was in the airspace above Liberty County, Texas. Perhaps this rocket launcher is the one used in that incident. Either way, troubling questions remain: How did the rocket launcher end up in Houston and who is responsible?
RELATED 12/31/09 at 10:39 p.m Central: Police in the Fort Worth suburb of North Richland Hills, Texas, confirmed tonight that a device found in that city — and next to a Koran — contained explosives. See this report for details.
RELATED #2 01/01/10 at 11:43 a.m. Central: Though a couple of days old, a Philadelphia television station reported that police in that city were investigating the discovery of a Molotov cocktail along with anti-Israeli books inside a Center City parking garage.
4 responses so far ↓
1 James Lee // Dec 31, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I heard long serving military personnel can easily smuggle AT-4 launcher and rocket cartridges in to their vehicle out of the camp.
2 » How Will Obama Administration Officials Respond to Discovery of Rocket Launcher in Houston? NoisyRoom.net: Where liberty dwells, there is my country… // Dec 31, 2009 at 2:32 pm
[...] How Will Obama Administration Officials Respond to Discovery of Rocket Launcher in Houston? Published in December 31st, 2009 Posted by TMH in Authors, Bob McCarty, Military, Politics, Terrorism By: Bob McCarty Bob McCarty Writes [...]
3 jonolan // Dec 31, 2009 at 4:54 pm
The only problem with your thought is that the police report described it as being “unarmed.” That would indicate that this device was a spent launch tube and harmless.
It is both legal to own and purchase the inert launch tubes, and one can do so at most military surplus stores.
4 hotoffthepress2 // Dec 31, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Did you read the update at the bottom of the post? That provides more context.
Leave a Comment