Eagle Eyes: be observant, report suspicious behavior

  • Published
  • By Air Force Office of Special Investigations
  • 9th Field Investigations Squadron
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Security Forces defend the base, but everyone can help ensure Eglin is safe and sound through the Air Force Office of Special Investigations' Eagle Eyes program.

"Eagle Eyes enlists the help of base personnel whether active duty, reservist, family members, or civilian contractors and the civilian communities surrounding the base, to remain vigilant and keep their eyes and ears open to any suspicious activities," said Special Agent James Barnett, AFOSI, 9th Field Investigations Squadron. "The 2001 attack did not just spontaneously happen. There were precursor events that occurred that eventually led up to the attack. These terrorists conducted surveillance, planned their attacks and rehearsed their operation."

Law enforcement officers rely on the eyes and ears of the entire community.

"When the community is aware of pre-attack indicators, they can play a vital role in deterring a potential attack," Barnett said.

AFOSI 9 FIS special agents here are out on the streets on a daily basis briefing Eagle Eyes information not only to the base community, but also to local vendors and companies that may be of interest to a terrorist. Through education, it is possible to train individuals on how to help prevent a terrorist attack from occurring.

Everyone is encouraged to learn the categories of suspicious behavior and stay attuned to their surroundings:

· Surveillance: The act of someone recording or monitoring activities using camera equipment, taking notes, drawing maps or using binoculars or any other vision enhancement devices.

· Elicitation: Anyone or any organization attempting to gain information about military operations or its personnel.

· Test of security: Any attempts to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers.

· Acquiring Supplies: Purchasing or stealing weapons, explosives, uniforms, vehicle decals or DoD identification media.

· Suspicious persons out of place: This could be an individual soliciting information about the military, your job in the military or the installation you belong to.  It could also be an individual sitting outside the base perimeter fence watching personnel enter and exit the installation.

· Dry runs: Putting people in position and moving them about without actually committing the terrorist act.

· Deploying Assets: This would be the final behavior before the terrorist act. People and supplies are put in place to commit the terrorist act. This would also be your last chance to alert authorities before terrorism occurs.

"The Eagle Eyes program relies on you to remain vigilant," Barnett said. "Only you know your neighborhood. Only you know your workplace. Please continue to remain cognizant and continue to Watch, Report and Protect."

If airmen or citizens notice anything out of the norm or suspicious, either on or off base, they should report it immediately to local law enforcement or base security forces, who are available 24 hours a day at 882-2503 or ask for the on-call AFOSI duty agent when contacting base security forces.

If a caller prefers to remain anonymous, use the AFOSI anonymous tip line  or the TipSubmit mobile phone application or text "AFOSI" plus your tip information to 274637 (CRIMES).  The AFOSI Tip Line provides service members and civilians a safe, discreet and anonymous option to report criminal information, counterintelligence indicators or force protection concerns.