According to the U.S. Air Force Eagle Eyes program, if you see something suspicious, you should say something.
Law enforcement can’t be everywhere at once. To expand their reach, they rely on members of the community, military and civilian, to be extra sets of eyes and ears.
The Eagle Eyes program is an anti-terrorism initiative that enlists Air Force members and citizens in the war on terror. It teaches people about the typical activities terrorists engage in to plan their attacks. Armed with this information, anyone can recognize elements of potential terror planning when they see it. Everyone is encouraged to learn the categories of suspicious behavior and stay attuned to their surroundings.
Knowing what to look for is a big part of identifying suspicious behavior and activities.
“No matter how small or insignificant you believe it to be, it is always best to report it and let law enforcement determine the next step,” said Special Agent Joshua Lyford, AFOSI 10th Field Investigation Squadron. “What you report could be a small piece that leads to the discovery of a much larger and complex threat.”
Examples of suspicious activity listed on OSI’s website include:
-Surveillance: Someone recording or monitoring activities.
-Elicitation: People or organizations attempting to gain information about military operations, capabilities, or people. Elicitation attempts may be made by mail, fax, telephone, or in person.
-Tests of security: Any attempts to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers or procedures in order to assess strengths and weaknesses.
-Acquiring supplies: Purchasing or stealing explosives, weapons, ammunition, detonators, timers, etc. Also includes acquiring military uniforms, decals, flight manuals, passes or badges (or the equipment to manufacture such items) or any other controlled items.
-Suspicious persons out of place: People who don't seem to belong in the workplace, neighborhood, business establishment, or anywhere else.
-Dry run: Putting people into position and moving them around according to their plan without actually committing the terrorist act.
-Deploying assets: People and supplies getting into position to commit the act. This is a person's last chance to alert authorities before the terrorist act occurs.
“Don’t think you’re bothering law enforcement by making a report,” said SA John Stanford, AFOSI 10th FIS. “We may not be able to identify a potential plot or scheme before it occurs [if we don’t know about it].”
“If you see something and plan to report, be sure to gather as much information as possible, such as physical descriptors, license plate, etc.,” Lyford said. “The more information you provide, the more it helps to identify and mitigate potential threats.”
If someone wishes to remain anonymous, there is an anonymous tip line available at https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21111.
There is also an app, “Air Force OSI Tips”, which can be downloaded onto your mobile device and allows anonymous tip submissions.
Anyone who can also contact Grissom’s AFOSI 10 FIS/Operating Location-D at 765-688-3980 or via email at hqafosi.watch@us.af.mil.
Tips may not be received until the following day, so if you need to report an emergency or something urgent please call 911.
AFOSI ensures each incident is thoroughly investigated and coordinates with state and federal law enforcement counterparts, when necessary. If warranted, reports are pushed out to all law enforcement entities allowing for vital identification of trends and threats globally.
“When everyone is vigilant and reports suspicious activities, it enables a safer work environment for the Grissom community,” Lyford said. “It protects Grissom’s aircraft, mission and most importantly, its people.”
Additional information can be found at http://www.osi.af.mil/Home/Eagle-Eyes/.