OPSEC: Situational awareness is key

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
Information comes in a variety of forms, whether a scribbled number on a crumpled piece of paper, having an animated conversation in a public place or a recall roster posted on a bulletin board. Even stopping at the grocery store on the way home from work everyday shows an observant person a pattern. 

"Operational security is a mindset," said Tech Sgt. Chad Glazier, 90th Space Wing anti-terrorism office. "It's something you pay attention to every time, all the time." 

"Terrorism can happen to anyone, anywhere," added Mark Ragsdale, 90th SW AT office. "Uphold the force protection conditions, maintain situational awareness and be on the lookout for any suspicious activity. You might think, 'Why would a terrorist want to come to Wyoming?' Well, it can happen here." 

There have been documented cases of passersby on the interstate stopping to photograph the front gate. Small talk with a person interested in the military at the bus stop might be an enemy collecting data on Warren procedures. Airmen who talk about their jobs in public places run the risk of alerting enemy eavesdroppers. A 'lost' townsperson driving on the back-roads toward a missile alert facility can actually be testing the response times of security. 

However, some information is gathered through other means, Mr. Ragsdale said.
Open source documentation on the internet is also a big contributor to OPSEC violations. "Be aware of what you put on the Internet", Sergeant Glazier said. "Once you release something publicly, it can never be erased. You can never get it back." 

The Office of Special Investigations runs the Eagle Eyes program designed to receive input on suspicious activity 24 hours a day. 

"This is a very important program," Special Agent Jeff Wysong said. "It's broken up into seven different opportunities to report potentially dangerous situations. 

"It allows for not only Airmen to be on the look out for unusual activity, but the community as well," Agent Wysong said. "Because of the great community involvement derived from having the missile fields so close to residents, we brief them on this program." 

"It's important to be on the lookout for anyone or anything out of the ordinary," Sergeant Glazier said. "And not only that, be sure you know who to call to report it." 

OPSEC is not a security program, Sergeant Glazier said. "Situational awareness is crucial. It takes everybody's participation to protect against weak links leaking critical information to the enemy." 

To report suspicious activity, call the law enforcement desk sergeant at 773-3501. For more information on the Eagle Eyes program, visit http://public.afosi.amc.af.mil/.