(Aiken) March 16, 2004 - If terrorists were to attack, the Savannah River Site isn't prepared to fully defend itself, according to a new study from the US Energy Department.

The study says the guards who are responsible for preventing terrorist attacks at nuclear weapons plants like the Savannah River Site are not adequately trained.

According to the report, "Some of the nation's weapons plants aren't adequately training guards on how to use handcuffs, fight hand-to-hand or defend against terrorists in vehicles. In some cases, mock fighting during exercises is performed in slow motion to avoid injuries."

The National Nuclear Security Administration responded to the report Tuesday afternoon saying, "The training for the guards has suffered because of overtime demands at weapons plants. (We) promise to review training to make sure it's adequate."

Posted 10:55pm by Eva Pilgrim