Eagle Eyes program is critical to force protection

  • Published
  • Office of Special Investigations/Det. 806
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Air Force doesn't expect its members to be able to detect prey
within a three mile radius while flying above the Montana prairies and mountain ranges. However, it does call on all base members to be more vigilant of their surroundings.

The Eagle Eyes program is an Air Force anti-terrorism initiative that
enlists the eyes and ears of Air Force members and citizens in the War on
Terror, according to the AF Eagle Eyes Web site at http://www.osi.andrews.af.mil/eagleeyes/index.asp.

Malmstrom's Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment
806, equates it to a familiar civilian program.

"The Eagle Eyes program is comparable to Neighborhood Watch programs, which are designed to identify, report and prevent criminal offenses in residential areas. Although similar in nature, Eagle Eyes was designed to recognize activities that occur during the planning cycle of terrorist acts," said Special Agent Craig McMahon, AFOSI/Det 806. "Law Enforcement personnel simply cannot be everywhere. After all, base personnel know best, what activities do, and do not, belong on and around the base, neighborhood and within the local community.

Here is a brief summary of the seven main pre-attack indicators:

* Surveillance: Someone recording or monitoring activities, including the use of cameras (both still and video), note taking, drawing diagrams, writing on maps or using binoculars or any other vision-enhancing device.

* Elicitation: Any attempts to gain information by mail, fax, telephone or in person about military personnel or operations.

* Tests of Security: Any attempts to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers or procedures.

* Acquiring Supplies: The purchase or theft of explosives, weapons, ammunition, uniforms, decals, passes or badges (or the equipment to manufacture them) 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. This also includes suspicious border crossings, stowaways aboard ship, or individuals jumping ship in port.

* Dry Runs: Conspirators completing phases of a planned operation without actually committing a terrorist act. Elements of this activity may include mapping out routes and determining the timing of traffic lights and flow.

* Deploying Assets: Individuals and supplies placed into position to commit the act. This is the last opportunity to alert authorities before the terrorist act occurs.


Team Malmstrom personnel are the best method to detect these indicators.

"History has proven that terrorists engage in at least one, if not all of the activities described above, prior to the execution phase of an attack. These are the most critical moments of the terrorist planning cycle, where terrorists are vulnerable to being exposed," Agent McMahon said.

"The Eagle Eyes program works, but it requires all base personnel to be on the look out for suspicious activity," he added. "This program saves lives and has many success stories throughout the entire Air Force. If you see something that doesn't seem right, report it. Regardless of how insignificant it may appear, the activity may have a nexus to nefarious individuals or activities."

At Malmstrom, the Eagle Eyes program is a cooperative effort between OSI, Security Forces, and the Antiterrorism Office. Members can report suspicious activity to either agency 24-hours a day. However, if you feel the threat is imminent, immediately call the Malmstrom, 911 Dispatch Center. To report suspicious activity to OSI, call 731-3558 or request the 911 Dispatch Center transfer you to the on-call duty agent.