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FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The first day of August is right around the corner, and with it comes the first day of Antiterrorism Awareness Month. This provides an opportunity for the Fort Cavazos Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security Force Protection officials to remind everyone of the importance of paying attention to the people, places and things around them.
This comes in the form of annual trainings and asking everyone to instill heightened awareness and vigilance to prevent terrorist attacks.
“Basically, antiterrorism training is just so that we can vigilant and make everyone aware of any vulnerabilities that might be out there that can be exploited,” Victor Hage, Force Protection, shared during a recent episode of the Great Big Podcast. “What we try to do is just make everyone aware, so that way we can be a safe installation.”
In order to teach everyone fully what AT awareness is, Force Protection is offering a range of trainings every Tuesday in August, through Aug. 22, both in person at Howze Auditorium and online via Microsoft Teams. Soldiers, DA civilians and even family members are welcome to attend the seminars.
During the trainings, people can expect to be fully immersed in what terrorism is, how it can affect someone directly and what they should to protect themselves.
When asked during the podcast what people can expect to learn, Hage shared the simple phrase, “be aware.”
“Be aware of what’s going on around you,” Hage expressed. “Don’t give a tell-tale sign of things that you’re doing or deployments or field exercises. Don’t say, ‘Oh, next week, we’re going out to the field for two weeks.’ Protect that information because you don’t know what nefarious characters are out there.
“And it’s kind of like a puzzle,” he continued. “Someone says one thing, somebody says something else and then you put it together and they get the big picture. So, it’s very important that we practice good OPSEC (Operations Security) and that goes hand in hand with force protection to protect the forces.”
Niaa Payne, Force Protection, agreed during the same episode of the Great Big Podcast, stating that it was important to ask one simple question.
“A good rule of thumb is those that have a need to know,” she said, “so if they don’t have a need to know, then maybe you shouldn’t share it with them. And if you’re not sure if they know, make sure you (have) it vetted before you share that information.”
Antiterrorism has changed quite a lot throughout the years, as new attacks unfold or new tactics are learned.
“9/11 is the real cusp of what we’ve seen the antiterrorism, AT program, evolve (to),” Payne said. “Once upon a time, you were able to drive up to the installation, and they’ll let you on. Now, we have checks at the gates; not just your ID card, they’ll do random searches of your vehicle. To get into certain areas, you must be vetted.
“Also our barrier system, where you can park in front of the buildings now, there’s standoff distances that have been imposed throughout the installation and around some of our critical facilities,” she continued. “Some of those are the reasons or how the program has evolved over the last 10, 15 years.”
No matter how the AT program has changed, the people with Force Protection continue to maintain one sentiment — see something, say something.
“We just like to ask everyone that they stay vigilant,” Hage concluded. “See something, say something. We can’t be everywhere. So everyone’s eyes and ears lend to the mission. … It’s better to be safe than sorry. … (If) something that looks bad, report it because it could be something dangerous and we don’t want bad things to happen to the good people of Fort Cavazos.”
To report suspicious behavior, call 254-288-COPS (2782). For more information on upcoming trainings, contact 254-288-6466 or 254-286-5376.
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 12.04.2023 16:21 |
| Story ID: | 458085 |
| Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 16 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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