Authorities practice terror attack response at Calif ports in annual security exercise

Terror attack response exercises at Calif ports

SAN FRANCISCO — Federal and state authorities are conducting a series of anti-terrorism training exercises this week at ports throughout California.

The two days of simulations beginning Tuesday include an attack on a container ship at the Port of Oakland and a bomb to be located in San Francisco Bay by sea mammals trained by the Navy.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger started the annual training event in 2004 to improve homeland security and disaster preparedness. This year, more than 3,000 federal, state and local responders are focusing on counterterrorism response at California ports.

Officials say there will be simulated attacks at the ports of Oakland, San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Redwood City and Sacramento, as well as California State University, San Marcos.