THIS IS ONLY A TEST SWAT TRAINS FOR WORST DRILL READIES SHERIFF'S TEAM FOR TERRORISTS.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

CASTAIC - With FBI warnings that more terrorists attacks on the United States will occur, it's the duty of the sheriff's Special Weapons and Tactics team to be prepared for the unknown.

On Tuesday, highly trained Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies practiced in Castaic for the unexpected - honing their skills at dealing with hostage situations and hijackings.

The training session at the Pitchess Detention Center's firing range was actually routine for this SWAT team, but it took on new meaning in light of the attacks on America.

``Terrorists want to shock us,'' said Sgt. Paul Pietrantoni. ``They want to catch us off guard. But we're ready. We need to be ready all the time.''

Though it was training, real bullets and real explosives made it chilling.

In one exercise, an explosives specialist led the way as the SWAT team, armed with assault rifles, approached a door.

Inside, two ``suspects'' held a ``hostage'' and refused to come out.

Using duct tape, the specialist attached an explosive strip diagonally across the door, quickly retreated and waited for the bang that rocked anyone standing within 10 feet.

Once the door blasted open - cut perfectly in half - the team quickly entered, made its way swiftly into the house and, within seconds, killed the suspects and brought the hostage to safety.

``We have two suspects down, the hostage has been evacuated,'' a team leader shouted. ``We're going do to a roll call.''

Nearby, another SWAT team approached a bus filled with passengers that had been hijacked by an armed man. About 75 feet away, a SWAT sniper positioned himself and deputies prepared to move in.

In an armored truck, deputies moved toward the bus and began ordering the suspect out. ``Suspect on board, we need you to step to the front of the bus,'' a deputy announced on a speaker. ``This is the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. We need you to step to the front of the bus.''

After their attempts failed, deputies started throwing flash-bang grenades beside the bus as deputies got closer to the vehicle.

At the same time, a sheriff's sniper shot the suspect and the ground deputies stormed the bus, shooting more of the hijackers and regaining control of the bus.

And while this was training, the situations deputies encounter are taken very seriously.

``The practice is important - almost essential,'' said Lt. Patrick Maxwell of the Special Enforcement Bureau. ``It's seldom that we'll have to use this dynamic hostage rescue. But we need the quickest, safest method to get the desired effect.''

Officials say that actual hands-on training with real bullets and in full gear is essential because it allows deputies to practice with their partners, learning how they will respond and react to certain situations.

When they're not on a mission, SWAT deputies are constantly in training - almost on a daily basis, preparing themselves and their department for whatever terror comes their way.

``We train so much that there's nothing to think about,'' Deputy Steven Ruiz said. ``Saving my hostage and saving my partner, that's what I'm thinking.''

Ruiz, who has been a SWAT deputy for four years, said that the training is the best way to stay prepared.

``We maintain a constant state of readiness,'' Ruiz added. ``We attack the problem. They are all bad guys in our book.''

Besides training themselves, the SWAT team members also train other deputies and commanders in the department and officers in law enforcement agencies across the nation. Details change from place to place, but response is uniform.

``These tactics aren't going to change,'' Maxwell said. ``Whether he's from Afghanistan or Walnut.''

In certain situations, details might draw a different reaction.

``We try to solve most incidents through negotiations,'' said Maxwell. ``When you're dealing with a husband, you will sit it out for hours. But a terrorist may not have anything to lose.''

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Sheriff's SWAT team members, in a drill Tuesday at Pitchess Honor Ranch, prepare to free a hostage from a gunman.

(2 -- color) SWAT team Sgt. Paul Pietrantoni worked Tuesday to prepare his team for hostage or hijacking encounters.

(3 -- 4) A drill for sheriff's SWAT team members, above, includes an assault on a bus where a hostage has been taken Tuesday. At left, deputies practice making a forced entry of a home at the Pitchess Honor Ranch. The routine drill, which was not scheduled because of the Sept. 11 terror strikes, was aimed at halting hijackers and hostage takers. Such skills, experts said, also are used in terrorist situations.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer