CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Each morning we all wake up and prepare for a routine day.
On our way to work, we mentally run through the tasks we have to complete during our shift, and as the morning progresses, our thoughts turn toward what we are going to have for lunch.
Some eat at their desk, while others branch out to the various local eateries. With our bellies full, we long for that mid-afternoon nap, but it is only wishful thinking because manning is low and there is plenty of work to be done. We finally find solace in our day when we get home and can take off our duty clothes and slip into civilian attire for the evening. We relax, kick back and let the stresses of the day fade away.
Comfort feels great, but it can come with a heavy price - complacency.
Terrorists want us to forget they are out there lurking and watching, trying to find our Achilles heel. They too have a job, and they wake up every morning committed to planning their next attack.
Terrorist organizations do as much information gathering as any intelligence agency. Their collection efforts can take many forms and often seem to take place in the most inconspicuous ways.
A clerk at a convenience store may see your restricted area badge and comment that security on the base must be tough. A stranger may walk up to you in a restaurant and thank you for your service, and then comment that supporting efforts in both Iraq and Afghanistan must pull a lot of resources from the base. While driving to or from the installation, you may observe someone videotaping or photographing the base fence line or entry control points.
Whatever the scenario, you just get that feeling in the pit of your stomach or the hair stands up on the back of your neck to tell you something is out of the ordinary. How do you react? What should you do?
Believe it or not, one simple word is all you need to keep in the back of your mind when someone you don't know starts asking you questions. Just ask yourself, "Why?"
Why is this person having this conversation with me? Why do they want to know the answer? Why is this person in the same location with me?
Having this internal dialogue will help you keep your guard up and prevent you from giving out sensitive information.
Besides always being vigilant, you must share your discoveries or "hunches" with someone who can respond and investigate these incidents. Depending on the situation, you should immediately contact security forces, and without fail, you should always remember to inform your supervisor about any suspicious encounters.
Also, prepare to be interviewed by your friendly Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment by noting as much detail as possible.
As much as we would like to think there could not be another terrorist attack like 9/11, the 1993 World Trade Center attack or the 1995 Oklahoma City bombings, we all know better. The news is filled daily with extremist calls to attack the United States, our citizens, our resources and our military.
Your eyes and ears are critical weapons in the war against terrorism. Use them wisely every day, on-duty and off.