By Senior Airman Stephanie Serrano
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
At Little Rock Air Force Base whether active duty, retired military, civilian or family member; everyone plays a vital role in the protection of our Nation’s safety.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigation administers an Air Force-wide program called Eagle Eyes. It is an anti-terrorism initiative that teaches individuals how to identify and report possible terrorist activity. The program provides a 24-Hour hotline, allowing information to be reported as soon as suspicious activity occurs. Reports are disseminated among federal and local law agencies as well as to commanders in order to ensure appropriate action is taken.
“Throughout the Air Force, the ‘every Airman is a sensor’ concept is briefed to all,” said Special Agent Bedard. “Besides being just a buzz phrase, we can easily fulfill this concept by being aware.”
The following categories of suspicious behavior are guidelines of what to look for and report.
Surveillance-Overt and Covert: This is the first and most important element to be cognizant about. Examples of overt surveillance: Any person recording or monitoring activities to include using cameras (still or video), binoculars, note taking and drawings or maps. Covert surveillance is different. An example would be someone on the side of the road pretending to be fixing a flat tire.
“To the untrained eye, this is a typical sight to the daily driver passing by,” said Bedard. However, that person fixing the tire has positioned his vehicle in which he can ‘fix’ his flat and observe his target while remaining undetected for a significant period of time.”
Elicitation: The attempt to gain information about military operations, capabilities, or personnel through methods such as mail, fax, telephone, or in person.
Tests of Security: Attempts to measure reaction times and security strengths and weakness’, such as causing a commotion at the base gate to see how long it takes security forces to react and what procedures they follow.
Acquiring Supplies: Obtaining items such as weapons, ammunition, detonators, timers, military uniform, decals, badges and passes.
Suspicious Persons out of Place: Anything out of the ordinary; a person who looks out of place or doesn’t look like they belong in your neighborhood, office space, or commute.
Dry Run: Putting people in positions or moving them according to their plans without actually committing the terrorist act.
Deploying Assets: This is the final behavior and last chance to alert authorities before the terrorist act takes place. People and supplies are put into motion to commit the act.
If something looks out of place, do not hesitate. Alert the proper authorities through all channels possible. Any information can be helpful. It is always better to report an incident to security and law enforcement officials.
“If something or someone makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up and you dismiss it as being paranoid, the incident you observed might have been something of value to Force Protection” said Bedard.
For more information about the Eagle Eyes program or to report suspicious activity, visit www.osi.af.mil/eagleeyes. You can also contact the Little Rock AFB law enforcement desk at 501-987-3221, Security Forces-Crime Stop at 501-987-6600 or OSI hotline at 501-779-0043.
Knowing what to look for and the procedures to take in the event you notice suspicious activity are key to mission effectiveness.
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