EFTA01649231.pdf

From: "Rudnick, Joseph H. (NY) (FBI)" To: NY-CT26 eat Muller Saoud Mohammed "Colon. Wayne (USANYE) , Tam Kelly Subject: Fwd: 40th Anniversary of the NY JTTF Date: Fri, 15 May 2020 17:06:09 +0000 Importance: Normal Congratulations to us all for continuing the legacy of this historic institution. The SACs email presents a humbling retrospective of where we came from, where we currently arc, and where we must prepare to go in the face ofan ever- evolving threat picture. While the future may seem uncertain, there's no team I'd rather fight alongside than our very own. Be well and stay safe. Joseph 14. Rudnick Supervisory Special Agent FBI New York - Threat Response From: "Tarasca, James A. (NY) (FBI)" •I I Date: May 15, 2020 12:35 PM Subject: 40th Annive of the NY JTTF To: NY-CTD Cc: "Sweeney, i tam I. r. "Sanborn, Jill (CTD) (FBI)" "Dennehy, James E. Y FBI Far Keri E. CTD FBI " Brian P. TFO " surge r. NY FBI ' oc ran, amts A. (INSD BI " enn axwe I I INAPPc ..., J. (CTD) (FBI)" 4"MaTg.u(iN reY1 (FBI) a, ohm" Senatore, Adrienne Colleagues, Today commemorates the 40th anniversary of the NY JTTF. During our forty years, thousands ofagents, detectives, analysts, professional staff, and detailees have walked through our doors and aggressively accomplished the highest priority mission of the FBI. Our personnel, past and present, have selflessly and diligently investigated and mitigated the global terrorism threat and set the standard for collaboration with our partners. We have also set the tone for the FBI, and it is the contributions by you all that make us the model for law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as military task forces around the world. The fact that our NY JTTF encompasses 61 agencies and houses almost 450 personnel, while effectively accomplishing our mission on a global level is a tree testament to our people. I could not be more proud of you all and am humbled by your focus, vision, and passion for what you do. Thank you for your sense of duty and dedication. I would like to recognize our twenty original FBI agents and NYPD detectives who took the initiative to create the NY JTTF in May 1980. You paved the way and built the foundation, which allowed us to grow and expand to unprecedented heights today. Know that our people continue to improve the NY JTTF through innovation, initiative, and continued assessment and reallocation of resources as the threat continually evolves. I am honored to incorporate the below note from Ken Maxwell (retired), one of those original members of the NY JTTF. He was assigned to M 10 Squad, precursor to the JTTF and an initial member of the NY JTTF from May 1980 until October 1983. Ken was a supervisor on the JTTF from 1986 until 1993 and an ASAC assigned to the NYO Counterterrorism Branch from 2001 until 2002, playing a critical leadership role during the attacks of September Ilth. Good morning John, Thank you for forwarding Jim's email. I am copying him and the other JTTF leaders/members that he had on his address line as well. And thank you Jim, for providing me the opportunity to contribute to the anniversary message. Like everyone, I am greatly disappointed that we had to postpone our gala 40th Anniversary event that all of you had taken the leadership initiative to plan, which I am confident will come to fruition after this crisis is over. Here are just a few of my thoughts as I reflect back forty years ago on the origins of the JTTF and how it has evolved into the profession's foremost "tool" in combatting terrorism today. Submitted humbly, for your consideration: Many people today may not realize that forty years ago, like today, New York City was the primary venue for terrorism in our country. Many domestic terrorist groups represented a violent scourge upon New York during the 1970s and 1980s, such as the Puerto Rico Independence advocate, the "FALN", the anti-Castro group, "Omega 7", the Croatian independence organization, 'OTPOR", the "United Freedom Front" (Top Ten Fugitives - Levasseur, Manning, et al), the "Jewish Defense League", and a very organized and formidable group, "The Family" made up of remnants of the "Weather Underground". "Black Liberation Army" and "Republic of New Afrika", and still others. They represented an overwhelming challenge for law enforcement at the time. Collectively, these nefarious organizations were responsible for creating mayhem and fear throughout the New York area over decades, having been responsible for multiple bombings of government and corporate buildings, the death of innocent New Yorkers, numerous armed robberies of banks and armored cars and the vicious slaying of police officers. EFTA01649231 Although the FBI, the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies were individually, doing their very best to combat this sustained period of mayhem and civil disorder. the classic and well-established methods of investigating and mounting a defense against these groups were simply not enough to stem the continuing wave of violence and neutralize these very dangerous criminal organizations. Substantial resources, both federal and local, had been utilized to address this ongoing priority matter but had also, unintentionally, contributed to the unnecessary duplication of effort, a lack of investigative effectiveness and even a degree of - unhealthy" competition between agencies. Recognizing this dilemma and displaying great leadership, the agency heads of the FBI New York Office and the NYPD made an innovative and courageous decision to apply a new and untried method - establish a Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the first of its kind anywhere in law enforcement. Such wisdom and judgment in pooling the resources of two proud agencies and molding them into an effective and unified force to combat the threat of terrorism proved to be more than just a hopeful vision. This dynamic new approach resulted, in the short term, to the dismantling and successful prosecution of virtually all of the domestic terrorist groups operating at the time. And now, looking back, over the last forty years, this singular and unique "experiment' in the application of law enforcement resources has grown exponentially into an international model of success in combatting international and domestic terrorism, involving multiple agencies throughout the nation and the world. As an original member of that first small JTTF in 1980,1 am exceedingly proud to have been a part of it and later, to have had the privilege of leading it throughout many of its continuing challenges. May God bless all of the men and women from all of the agencies who have comprised the JTTF over the past forty years for their selfless dedication to its mission and for their many personal sacrifices to ensure the safety ofall Americans. Thanks again. Jim. Best. Ken Keep up your amazing work and continue to stay focused as we continue to accomplish our mission during this most challenging time. Best to each of you and once again, thank you for your selfless dedication to our mission in keeping America safe. Jim SAC James A. Tarasca FBI Ncw York I Counterterrorism Division EFTA01649232 EFTA01649233