Don't go back to sleep

  • Published
  • By James Pettus
  • 301st Fighter Wing Anti-Terrorism Office
Please take time to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and the sacrifices of our military and family members.

Ask yourself, if 9/11 was America's wakeup call, then why have so many Americans gone back to sleep? It has been 14 years since the worst terrorist event occurred on American soil; people have already forgotten.

I had the opportunity to visit Shanksville, Penn., the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) in New York City, N.Y. I don't know how many of you have ever visited these sites, but it's inconceivable to imagine what these ordinary citizens and families gave in just a matter of minutes. Until that fateful day, it was unimaginable that a terrorist would use our transit system and our citizens as tools of terror.

Fourteen years later we find ourselves in Force Protection Condition Bravo and fighting similar threats. Do your part. We need you!

We need you to be the eyes and ears of America, not to mention NAS Fort Worth JRB's security. Every Airman is a sensor; not just security forces, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Naval Criminal Investigation Services or anti-terrorism officers, it takes everyone. We, not just I, need to prevent nefarious acts from occurring. The best ways to stop an attack from occurring is to be aware and report it! Most, if not all terrorist attacks, follow the following phases.

Surveillance: Someone recording or monitoring activities. For example, a suspicious person standing at the front gate or the perimeter fence line.

Elicitation: Someone asking questions about military operations, number of military deployed, base entry procedures, when a deployed unit is returning, all this information is valuable for enemy intelligence. Sometimes it's difficult to know when you are being elicited ... be careful and practice operation security at all times. For example, if someone is asking questions at a local restaurant or while sitting at an airport waiting for a flight.

Tests of Security: Any measuring of security's reactionary time is a test. For example, sending unauthorized personnel through control points or over fences such as our front gate, flight line or a perimeter fence.

Acquiring Supplies: The theft of military identifications or the purchasing of detonators, military uniforms or timers may be indicators.

Suspicious persons out of place: People who don't belong. For example, a contractor walking around a building, a new person delivering mail, or a new vendor who may not look right ... trust your instinct, ask questions or report it.

Dry run: The enemy is putting their people into position and practicing without committing the act.

Deploying assets: This is your last chance ... the event is likely to occur soon. This may look like personnel loading vehicles with explosives or weapons, leaving suspiciously parked vehicles or people who don't belong in the area or are acting nervous or anxious.

Use the Eagle Eyes program. Report it to your nearest law enforcement, the Emergency Operations Center (817-782-5200), AFOSI (817-782-7969/office or 817-965-7585/cell), or the 301st Fighter Wing  Anti-Terrorism Officer at 817-782-7365.

You may save lives!
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