You May Make the Difference: 'Countering Terrorism Requires Your Help'

  • Published
  • By Det. 204, Air Force Office of Special Investigations
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Only you know who or what belongs - or doesn't belong - in your building, neighborhood or work center.

Recognition of this fact is behind one of the latest Air Force antiterrorism initiatives, a program known as "Eagle Eyes."

This effort is similar to a typical neighborhood-watch program, and Air Force officials consider it a key piece in the service's antiterrorism strategy.

According to Special Agent Micheal J. Harrison, Eagle Eyes program manager, Detachment 204 of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations here, the program takes its cue from the experiences of British and Israeli authorities who have significant experience dealing with urban terrorism.

"They make it their business to pay a lot of attention to small things that, in combination, can indicate they're being targeted," Agent Harrison said. "Eagle Eyes is our model for doing just that. The simple act of recognizing suspicious behavior and reporting it to base authorities could thwart terrorist acts and save lives."

At Offutt, anyone with something to report should immediately call the 55th Security Forces Squadron Law Enforcement Desk at 402-294-6110. From there, security forces will respond to the situation and pass a report to OSI Det 204. OSI will then begin appropriate follow-up action, which may include an agent responding to talk with the person who submitted the report to gain additional information.

At the same time, the information will be quickly transmitted to OSI's central analytical center at Andrews AFB, Md., to compare with other Air Force reports, as well as information from the Army, Navy and other federal agencies.

But it all begins at the local level where terrorists conduct operational planning activities, said Agent Harrison.

Every terrorist operation is preceded by telling events that people need to recognize and report, said Agent Harrison.

"Terrorist acts don't just happen," he said, "they are carefully planned and rehearsed many, many times in advance."

The key, according to Agent Harrison, is public awareness of what to look for and note both on and off base.

"This is something the whole community needs to be involved in," SA Harrison said. "Anyone - from active-duty military members, to family members, to government civilians, contractors and even off-base business proprietors - could see something out of the ordinary, report it and be the difference between a terrorist act occurring or not occurring. The more eyes and ears we can enlist to be on the lookout for suspicious activity, the more difficult we can make it for terrorists to act."

Agent Harrison said people shouldn't be gun-shy about reporting incidents that could turn out to be innocent behavior.

"That's bound to happen from time to time, but you don't know if it's innocent until you report it and have it checked out," Agent Harrison said. "We're much less concerned about too much reporting than we are with too little. When lives are at stake, it's better to be safe than sorry. If in doubt, report it. Your call could make the difference. The bottom line is if something bothers you or doesn't seem right, tell someone."

Agent Harrison said activity that should be reported can be classified into six broad categories:
 Specific threats: any threat received by any means that contains a specific time, location or area for an attack.

 Instances of any out-of-the-ordinary person or persons monitoring activities and/or recording information. Such activity may include the use of cameras, note taking, notes on maps or drawings, hand-drawn maps or diagrams and the use of binoculars or other vision-enhancing devices. It could also be as simple as seeing the same unknown vehicle parked in your area without explanation.

 Any attempts to obtain security-related information - or even basic information about the base - by anyone who doesn't have the appropriate security clearance and the need-to-know. Known as "elicitation," these attempts may be made by e-mail, fax, telephone, in person or through the mail.

 Any attempts to measure security-reaction times or strengths and weaknesses; any attempts to test or penetrate physical security barriers or procedures; any attempts to acquire or duplicate uniforms, badges, passes or other security-related documents.

 Repetitive activities: any two or more suspicious activities by the same person and/or vehicle in a one-month period.

 Suspicious activities/incidents: any activity that doesn't specifically fit into the previous categories yet it is a concern to you. Some examples of this are thefts of uniforms, ID cards or vehicle decals from your vehicle, home or office.

The Eagle Eyes program has the support of 55th Wing leadership said Agent Harrison. "Success in fighting terrorism starts at the individual Airman level, and that is why we support the Eagle Eyes program," said Brig. Gen. James J. Jones, 55th Wing commander.