Terrorism Close Calls Season 1 Episode 5 "Operation Overt": Seven Planes - Seven Bombs

Terrorism Close Calls season 1 episode 5, titled "Operation Overt," explores the events leading up to the dramatic interception of a terrorist plot to bomb seven planes simultaneously. The episode traces the origins of the plot, the efforts of law enforcement agencies to detect and thwart the attack, and the intense emotions that accompanied the unfolding of the crisis.

The story begins in 2006, when British intelligence agencies received intelligence that a group of terrorists was planning to detonate bombs on board transatlantic flights bound for the United States. The scope of the operation was unprecedented: seven planes, all departing within hours of each other, each carrying multiple bombs.

In response to the threat, British authorities launched one of their largest-ever counter-terrorism operations. They identified a group of suspects, raided their homes, and detained more than 20 people. But even as the suspects were being arrested, the intelligence agencies realized that they still did not have a complete understanding of the plot. They knew that the bombs were to be liquid-based, but they did not know how the terrorists were planning to ignite them.

It was at this point that the British authorities turned to their counterparts in the United States for help. Together, the two countries designed a plan to intercept the terrorists in mid-flight and prevent the bombs from being detonated. The operation, dubbed "Overt," involved placing chemical sensors aboard the seven planes, as well as deploying additional air marshals and bomb-sniffing dogs.

As the planes took off, the tension in the control centers and monitoring stations was palpable. Everyone knew that a single mistake could have catastrophic consequences. The tension only increased when it emerged that the terrorists had successfully smuggled the chemicals onto the planes in carry-on luggage, circumventing the rigorous security checks.

What followed was a nail-biting race against time, as the authorities monitored the progress of the planes and worked to identify the terrorists on board. In one dramatic moment, a passenger alerted the flight crew to suspicious activity in the restroom, prompting a tense standoff with the suspected terrorist.

Ultimately, the Operation Overt was a success. None of the bombs were detonated, and all of the suspects were arrested and later convicted in court. The episode ends by reflecting on the significance of the operation: how it represented a turning point in the fight against terrorism, and how it showed that determined and coordinated action across borders could avert even the deadliest of attacks.

Throughout the episode, viewers are offered unique insights into the workings of counter-terrorism agencies, as well as the strategic, tactical, and technological innovations that made Operation Overt possible. They are also introduced to some of the key players in the drama, including the senior intelligence officials who devised the plan, the air marshals who risked their lives to keep the passengers safe, and the detectives who pieced together the evidence in the aftermath.

Overall, "Operation Overt" is a gripping and informative episode that sheds light on one of the most daring and complex terrorist plots of recent times, and the people who worked tirelessly to stop it.