Photo By Senior Airman Karalyn Degraffenreed | Special Agent Isaiah Moore, Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI)...... read more read more
Unlike in the movies, threats don’t announce themselves with long monologues or a countdown clock. They are often quiet, slipping into inboxes and whispers, spread over time and cyberspace, but one team at Altus Air Force Base stands at the threshold to ensure safety and justice for Airmen and their families.
The unit is part of a global organization with more than 260 subordinate units worldwide. They are tasked with protecting some of the Department of the Air Force’s most valuable assets across southwestern Oklahoma and beyond, including billions in mobility aircraft, global training infrastructure and some of the DAF’s most critical operational capabilities.
While those responsibilities span everything from criminal investigations to counterintelligence, according to the special agents on the ground, the most important aspect of their mission is protecting people, including Airmen, their families and the local military personnel.
“Our primary mission is to identify, exploit, and neutralize criminal, terrorist, and intelligence threats to the Department of the Air Force and the U.S. government,” said Special Agent Isaiah Moore, Det. 422 investigator.
With a jurisdiction that covers all of Altus AFB, southwestern Oklahoma and part of eastern Texas, the cases that come across their desks include homicide, sexual assault and other serious offenses committed internally within the Air Force.
“We’re also responsible for the safety of the installation from external threats,” said Houghton.
In addition to working alongside the 97th Security Forces Squadron to ensure the safety of those inside the base, special agents also work in conjunction with outside entities such as local law enforcement, the FBI and other federal agencies when necessary to better protect the DAF’s people and assets.
Because of the mission’s scope and sensitivity, AFOSI seeks highly capable individuals to fill their positions, which are open to officers, civilians, and retraining eligible enlisted members. The job demands sharp minds and good character.
“We look for Airman with strong communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and leadership qualities,” said Special Agent Jonathan Houghton, Det. 422 Special Agent in-charge.
Those traits become especially vital in a career field that requires adaptability skills and initiative.
“It’s a dynamic environment,” said Special Agent Katrina Cortez, Det. 422 investigator. “You get to be on your toes doing something interesting. Even in Altus it remains dynamic because there are so many different ways you can go - investigating fraud, counterintelligence, and more. It’s a very fluid career field.”
For any Airmen interested in beginning the application process, the AFOSI team has some advice.
“Do it for the right reasons,” Moore said. “It is challenging and that intrinsic drive is what gets you through the tough moments. If you’re looking to push yourself while contributing to something bigger and protecting people and assets, it’s a great place to be.”
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2025 09:47 |
| Story ID: | 543764 |
| Location: | ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, OKLAHOMA, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, At the Threshold: Altus AFOSI agents confront unseen threats, by SrA Karalyn Degraffenreed, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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