August observed as Antiterrorism Awareness Month at Fort McCoy

Courtesy Photo | Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) has declared the month of August as Antiterrorism Awareness Month. HQDA has underscored the fact that "terrorism is an enduring, persistent, worldwide threat to our nation and our Armed Forces, both in (the United States) and overseas.” HQDA stressed that the Army must seek to understand the threat, be able to detect terrorists and terrorism-related activities, and must be able to warn and defend against the full range of terrorist tactics. (U.S. Army Graphic Illustration)  

FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES

07.26.2019

Courtesy Story

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

U.S. Army senior leaders have proclaimed August as Antiterrorism Awareness Month. The intention is to instill and sustain communitywide heightened awareness and vigilance to protect all Army critical resources and personnel from acts of terrorism.

Fort McCoy will conduct antiterrorism training, education, and awareness throughout the month of August 2019.

During this month, installation facilities and forces will focus their efforts on heightening awareness and vigilance to prevent and protect the community from acts of terrorism.

By integrating antiterrorism principles with awareness, the Army ensures the safety and security of its people (Soldiers, DA civilians, contractors, and family members) while ensuring mission success. As such, antiterrorism training, education and awareness support the entire Army community and are a critical part of our overall protection.

Fort McCoy will ensure completion of required annual Antiterrorism Level 1 Awareness Training.

Alternatively to online training, classes will be offered from 10 to 11 a.m. Aug. 6 and 20 at building 2113 by the Fort McCoy Antiterrorism Office.

Completion of either the computer-based or face-to-face training will meet the annual Antiterrorism Level 1 Awareness refresher-training requirement.

In order to leverage every member of the Army community to help identify and prevent potential terrorist acts, Fort McCoy uses the iWATCH program. This program aims to equip all members of the Army community with the knowledge of what constitutes suspicious activity and to disseminate iWATCH materials to the Army community as widely as possible through multimedia means.

During the month of August, look for antiterrorism displays at different locations on the installation and feel free to pick up posters, handouts, and ask questions. There will also be antiterrorism-elated videos played on Fort McCoy Command Channel TV-6.

A simple report of a suspicious observation can lead to action that may stop a terrorist attack. Indicators to watch for include, but are not limited to the following:

• people drawing or measuring important buildings.

• strangers asking questions about security procedures.

• briefcase, suitcase, backpack, or package left behind.

• vehicles left in “no parking” zones in front of important buildings.

• intruders in secure areas where they do not belong.

• chemical smells or fumes that seem of the ordinary for location.

• people purchasing bomb- or weapon-making materials.

• people asking questions about sensitive information such as building blueprints, security plans, or VIP travel.

Everyone in the Fort McCoy community can help keep the installation safe by reporting suspicious activities on Fort McCoy to the Police Department or to the local police if off post.

All emergency situations should be reported by calling 911 or the local emergency number.

For more information about Antiterrorism Awareness Month, antiterrorism-awareness training, reporting suspicious activity, U.S. Army iWATCH, or other antiterrorism-related issues, call the Installation Antiterrorism Office.

(Article prepared by the Fort McCoy Antiterrorism Office.)

• Date Taken: 07.26.2019
• Date Posted: 07.26.2019 10:35
• Story ID: 333195
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US