The History of the Anti-Terrorist Units: How and why it came to be
In 1970, joint operations from the CIA (America) and MI6 (England) began conducting various investigations of several "vocal" and radical groups that posed a significant threat to international security. Alarmed by threats they sought to discover the motives, their capabilities, and their leaders. It was a joint effort between the two nations. After a few years, however, they had discovered little of what they intended; it had proved difficult to understand the terrorists' capabilities fully and without full information, be it locations, manpower estimations, their equipment, any action against the groups may have been in error or in vain. With the lack of information recovered, the British government revoked their co-operation with America in the matter stating that if such little information was available then perhaps the threat is not as worrying as it appeared. However as America was currently engaged in the Vietnam War, their interest was far more apparent and continued their efforts.
In 1974 a noticeable increase in terrorist activities around the world caused alarm to many of the world leaders. New groups formed and one or two serious 'incidents' against major countries occurred during this time. Blame is passed around the table at the next United Nations conference, accusations being brought forth naming some countries as being "…Incapable of controlling their own internal security or preventing the increase on their part…" However, amongst the arguing, representatives of England, America and Japan began putting together plans of a new undercover organization trained to suppress, investigate and respond to potential threats; it would be its soul purpose.
Discussions are held and eventually it is agreed that the new undercover organization should be independent and based globally, it's control is it's own but is funded by the three founding nations, recruiting people with both police and military backgrounds, armed with the sophisticated technology and weapons. By the end of 1975 the Anti-Terrorist Unit is formed as a covert group. Undercover bases using normal business fronts are set up in the three countries' main capitals and several other major cities to test the program's worth. Within a few months, the ATU begins finding and neutralizing known and previously unknown terrorist threats. Over time, other countries begin to take notice of the program and agree to set up ATUs in their homelands, adding funding to the programme and their resources. By 1980 the ATU is established as the prime Anti-Terrorist group around the world, utilizing very small and cost efficient teams.
In 1981 ATU agents in a newly established Russia base uncovered a plot to destroy several key government buildings in several major countries, the countries were alerted and a wide investigation was launched. While the plan was intact and genuine, neither a benefactor nor a known group could be linked to the attack. Despite the lack of information, the ATU made plans to ensure the safety of the target countries, hoping to link a name to the attack in the meantime. During the set up, however, the ATU was caught off guard as explosions erupted simultaneously in each of the countries. The buildings were destroyed, taking with them thousands of lives across the globe. The day was marked as one of the most catastrophic unprovoked attacks in history.
After a prolonged investigation several questions remained difficult to answer, WHY was one of them, no major links to any known or what could've just formed as a new terrorist group were sufficient enough, and no group laid claim to the destruction either. Another was HOW considering the capabilities of modern day radio and communication, the timing and setting off of the "explosions" was too near perfect, if there was an individual at each site any radios they used should have been intercepted, but also neither an intercept was found on any frequency and it was also denied a radio system could stretch half way across the globe undetected or at least experience any lag. And lastly two pieces of evidence was found, while in different parts of the world ATU felt they connected.
One was a photo taken by an amateur photographer in Russia, slightly blurred however it just about showed a figured draped in total black clothing, wearing a cloak, hood and robes leaving the scene just in the distance, some officials branded the person humorously as an out of place monk, but others were convinced Monks do not reside in Russia and thus was suspiciously out of place, but no proof linked the individual to the attack nor has he been seen again. The other piece of evidence discovered in Spain was a damaged shaped device, made of a very hard glass like structure, while it was not see through glass it looked it only musky in appearance, two most notable features was the strange electronic device embedded into it which could only be explained as a timer but this is unconfirmed, and to either side of the device was three cracked containers also made of the same glass, lined under the "timer" it's purpose may have been to contain whatever explosive substance used, forensics failed to find any trace of liquid or even powder. Investigators pondered why they only found the remains of one of the strange devices but no others at any other location.
Shortly after the disaster, the future of the organization is in debate. Even with ATU’s intervention in the matter they agree that it was too big for them to deal with, given the small bands of agents and limited resources they had at the time. A decision to go public was made at the next gathering of the nations, and ATU becomes a public knowledge group rather than covert. The recruiting rules change, the organization structure changes, and the rules of engagement change.
The Command Structure
Before as a covert group the need for a centralised command structure was not needed. Everyone was an Agent of ATU their roles were the same, there was one or two operation commanders in charge of each station but ultimately rank was immaterial. Now as a public based semi-police, semi-federal group. The need for a command structure was a necessity for both security purposes and communication reasons. ATU is not ruled by one person at the very top, no one owns ATU as a company, ATU is an independent global organisation it's funding comes from each nation that supports it (Which at the moment stands as aprox 85% of the world). Ultimate decisions that affect ATU as a whole are based on a Board of Directors of three members, and the BoD's is elected from National ATU commanders and Regional Commanders by the United Nations who they liason with. Each base runs it's own operation in the city it is based, each county convenes to protect the cities within that county, and so forth for countries leading to worldwide.
Simple idea of command structure:
ATU BoD's => National Commanders (Country) => Regional Commanders (State / Province / Area) => Base Commander => Base Staff
ATU Locations and operations
Previously as a covert run operation the staff of ATU would run cover jobs as well as their task of limiting terror threats to their assigned country and or location. Typically these would be popular business firms like investment companies, insurance brokers, loan companies and so forth, however with the knowledge of going public the need for the business fronts was no longer required and many of the structures that house ATU operations were reworked to instead host a more public scene, the previous business front was sold on to another company to take over. These structures formed the first ever city internal "bases" and were overhauled with new departments and sections.
ATU bases nowadays come in two sizes; larger bases are normally only present in major cities such as London, Sydney, Moscow, and Tokyo. They operation average around 120-200 personnel in a single base (including non field personnel) and some cities harbour more than one base or even several smaller stations to cover large areas of the city. Stations, on the other hand, are generally smaller. They don't have as much space, but they retain the main functions of the base: Medical, Vehicles, mission ops, forensics, (which is usually tied in with database centres) general offices, and a small armoury. Stations usually field 60-100 agents and are normally placed within or in the vicinity of smaller towns or between several towns to cover more area. They may also provide support for the larger bases in major cities.
ATU operations haven't changed since they were a covert ops group, they handle both investigation, field work and dangerous activity missions. In fact the public of ATU now handle secondary peacekeeping services for the city / area they are based in, working together with the local police forces they also help to deter and reduce crime within the city. Any activity regarding terror suspects, movements, or information are purely to be handled by ATU, police are required to inform ATU should they discover anything regarding such means. ATU if present must handle any peacekeeping issues in their city or tasks the police are too bogged down with and offer assistance, however, should ATU be currently engaged in activity regarding terror peacekeeping becomes a secondary aspect and should inform the police instead, THIS DOES NOT MEAN DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD BE IGNORED. In example should a bank hold up be in progress with shots fired ATU must offer assistance and call back up if necessary should they be local to the scene. One rule above all else is the prevention of loss of life.
As a global organisation ATU keep databanks connected all over the world, while not having a singular databank data is constantly sent between the bases to keep other regions and countries informed of new suspects, new terror cells and the movement of ATU agents between the bases.
Personnel / Recruitment and Training / Equipment and Technology
Each base usually fields a number of
squads, dependent on the size of the city or town they are operating in,
and each squad usually consists of around 6 to 12 members, each with
different skills and abilities they contribute to the squad. Whether it be
computers, demolitions, weapons, driving / piloting skills, each Agent
has their use in the squad. Each squad is led by a Captain, who is
assisted by several Lieutenants.
Recruitment in ATU varies from country to country, dependent on the school systems and other such factors. In basic terms, to join ATU you need to be over the age of 16 and to pass a written test involving communication, maths, and a physical test. These form the basic requirements to join ATU as a Private. From there an employee can work his or her way up the ranks of an active agent. Requirements for other roles in the base will vary. Full training in firearms is required for active agents, and basic firearms training for staff who aren’t required for field tasks. The history of ATU, it’s command structure, and general discipline is provided. Lastly the recruit must be in good health (ATU isn’t as strict on disabilities but depends on the disability) and have a clean criminal record. This is the same for all roles at the base.
Equipment used by ATU again varies depending on the country. Most of the time ATU uses the same military equipment as the local armed forces or millitaries. It does, however, have specialist equipment that is universal for each base and station. Vehicles are usually provided by Agents when performing general patrols or investigations within the city, Humvees and other similar personnel carriers are used when transporting squads. Aerial choppers are also used, ranging from simple flight helicopters to personnel carriers to two man combat helicopters. Rarely is the latter ever in use within the confines of a city, however.
ATU is one of the pinnacles of technology for survallance and urban warfare, as well as tending to be a candinate for new millitary techs. Because ATU is a worldwide run organisation the countries that fund it find that in order for it to be effective it's technology should be of the best, of course baring any tight held millitary secrets, you'll find that whatever technology ATU can deploy in one country can but not always be avaliable in another and anything new introduced is spread to it's other ATU bases worldwide. It is possible that while ATU may use a piece of technology from another country, the native armies or special forces may not be using it however or at least not the same version. The reason for this is ATU is confined to it's own techniology granted to it's organisation use and is such labled correctly and also digitally imprinted so should a piece of equipment fall out of ATU hands it will be identified as ATU owned, any millitary force that comes across such a piece is usually ordered to return it to the local ATU authorities immediatly.
