Simulated Attack
*not a real event
04:47:04: local time: Unidentified helicopter reported flying low altitudes near Susono in the direction of Gotemba.
04:53:56: Visual confirmation of unidentified helicopter reported west of Gotemba appears to be Russian made Mi-17 with markings identifying it as JDF.
04:54:43: Upon breach of US airspace south of Camp Fuji alarm was raised at the base and personnel were put on a readiness stance. Unidentified JDF helicopter unresponsive to all channels.
04:55:33: US warplanes scrambled to intercept as JDF helicopter changes course directly for camp Fuji. Final warning to change course issued on channels to helicopter.
04:56:02: Helicopter makes a low pass over Camp Fuji. AA batteries open fire. Hit reported Helicopter changes course slightly but remains on trajectory away from Camp Fuji.
05:00:01: JDF deny knowledge of unknown helicopter.
05:02:21: reports of moldy hay smell all over Camp Fuji. Chemical Agent is suspected, personnel don gasmasks and protective gear.
05:24:03: Confirmed report of high levels of Phosgene in and around area of flyover by unidentified helicopter. 67 personnel reported respiratory injuries by phosgene exposure.
05:32:53: Wreckage of helicopter sighted. Appears to be on fire but landing looks intentional.
05:45:00: Total of 72 personnel injured from phosgene exposure ranging from minor discomfort and drowsiness to severe respiratory damage and asphyxiation. More injuries possible as phosgene can cause delayed symptoms. All personnel on base will require medical evaluation.
06:56:02: No bodies found in wreckage of helicopter. Manhunt begins in and around Mt. Fuji area for pilots.
The intent of this simulated Aum Shinrikyo attack was to demonstrate their anti-government aspirations. This is evident in the aim of their attempt to frame the Japanese Defense Force as acting aggressively toward the US military base, and ideally to precipitate an armed conflict between the United States and Japan. The Aum Shinrikyo cult believe that a nuclear war with the US will cause Armageddon and spur the final battle between good and evil, after which only Aum members will be survive to rebuild society according to their doctrines of purity. This simulated attack reflects many aspects of other real Aum Shinrikyo attacks, and incorporates their chemical capabilities and grandiose ideologies. Aum acquired a Soviet made Mi-17 attack helicopter, equipped with devises designed to disseminate gases and sprays, however it was never put to use, likely because of practical and logistical obstacles.1 By 1993, Aum had successfully synthesized Phosgene gas and used it to commit the murder of a reporter.2 Some of Aum’s earliest attacks have been against US military installations; although they all failed because the biological weapon used was botulism and it wasn’t isolated correctly. An attack with phosgene may have been more successful as we know that they had more success creating phosgene. At least one of the real attacks against US installations involved a modified truck driving by a populated area of a base and attempting to contaminate that area and affect the personnel there. If they had access to a helicopter at the time of this attack, it is plausible that they would have experienced more success. We chose the Camp Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture because it is the US base nearest to Aum’s chemical production facility, which was discovered in 1996 at the base of Mt. Fuji, where the helicopter would presumably have to load the toxin. 3
1. Bruce Hoffman. Inside Terrorism. Columbia University Press. 2005
2. Chronology of Aum Shinrikyo’s CBW Activities. Monterey Institute of International Studies. 2001
3. Richard Danzig, Aum Shinrikyo: Insights Into How Terrorists Develop Biolgical and Chemical Weapons. Center for a New American Security. 2011
