'Zombie attack' preparedness military training now being offered in counter-terrorism program

(NaturalNews) Blasting hordes of attacking zombies to bits is the stuff of fantasy movies and video games, right?

Apparently not, according to recent reports which say that a California-based security firm called the HALO Corp. will incorporate training on how to fight the undead during a counter-terrorism summit Oct. 29-Nov.2 that is expected to draw 1,000 participants from the military and law enforcement agencies, as well as medical personnel and government workers, NBC News reported.

"The Zombie Apocalypse is very whimsical," said Brad Barker, president of HALO, who said the addition of zombies to the curriculum is intended to add a little levity to otherwise extremely important, and more dire, scenarios, MilitaryTimes.com reported.

The company was founded by former special operations, national security and intelligence personnel. The five-day annual summit will be held at the firm's 44-acre Paradise Point resort island off San Diego's Mission Bay.

No 'Zombie Apocalypse' but pandemics are real

The summit this year will also include more realistic tactical training in an environment using "Hollywood magic" in live-action demonstrations and realistic tactical training scenarios - all accompanied by classroom education as well.

The immersive, creative Hollywood-type sets will include a pirate's haven and a Middle Eastern village, according to reports. More than 30 courses cover everything from maritime and border security to modern warfare and cyber terrorism, according to promotional material put out by HALO.

A number of high-profile officials, including retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden, a former CIA and National Security Agency director, as well as Mexico's interior secretary, Alejandro Poire Romero.

Barker's "Zombie Apocalypse" scenario comes from a phrase which became popular last year following a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campaign "aimed at underscoring the importance of being prepared for major emergencies, natural disasters and pandemics," MilitaryTimes.com said.

In the CDC program, fictional zombies (are there any other kind?) are utilized to make the point that Americans should be ready for any emergency, even the kinds of emergencies that, hypothetically, could result from a brain-eating virus pandemic.

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[link to www.militarytimes.com]