Eglin takes anti-terrorism seriously

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The base will execute a large-scale exercise July 20-23 that will impact many missions and services.  Personnel moving on Eglin should expect delays at the gates and the hospital will close for most of the day, July 22.  In preparation for the exercise, base leadership wants to remind personnel to remain vigiliant and aware of the threat of terrorism.

Terrorism continues to be a threat and could happen at Eglin? Yes, according to the base's anti-terrorism office. 

"Terrorists are not calling a truce and turning in all their arms and bombs, nothing could be further from the truth," said David McLemore, Eglin's anti-terrorism officer. "Terrorists may not make the front page every day, but they continue to threaten the free world with ruthless bloodshed. 

Mr. McLemore said Eglin continues to evaluate terrorist methods and weapons to ensure it is ready to defend against any threat. 

"Being both in the United States and on a military base, people like to think we're safe and comfortable here. However, there are terrorists who don't like America or what we stand for and will go to any extreme to attain their terrorist goals," he said. "Terrorists generally seek a soft target where they can deliver a deadly punch and quickly depart."

Eglin utilizes various agencies and special skills like OSI and "Eagle Eyes" to assist the anti-terrorism office to ensure people understand terrorism and prepare and train for potential attacks. Eglin continues to acquire new equipment to detect explosives and constantly trains to sharpen security procedures.

In 2003, the Department of Defense developed new protection guidelines and military standards for construction of building, walls, glass, parking, loading docks, and more. The anti-terrorism office is charged with looking at the survivability of all occupied buildings and determining what new protective measures Eglin needs to put into place to ensure personnel are not vulnerable.

"One of our most critical elements for information gathering is our people. If something looks out of the ordinary, don't be afraid to challenge or call security forces," Mr. McLemore said. "No one questioned why a man left a truck at the Oklahoma City federal building and walked away."

On April 19, 1995, American militia movement sympathizer Timothy McVeigh, with the assistance of Terry Nichols, destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, Okla. It was the most significant act of terrorism on American soil until the attacks ofSept. 11, 2001, claiming the lives of 168 victims and injuring more than 680. The blast destroyed or damaged 324 buildings within a sixteen-block radius, destroyed or burned 86 cars, and shattered glass in 258 nearby buildings. The bomb was estimated to have caused at least $652 million worth of damage.

Eglin personnel who observe suspicious activity, persons, unclaimed packages or vehicles, should contact the law enforcement desk at 882-2502, or Eglin OSI at 882-2152. 

"We are taking a pro-active approach," Mr. McLemore said. "Terrorists will strike again and we don't want to be the target."