Be aware of, report suspicious actions, people, items; Documented terror attacks help provide examples of what to look for, convey to authorities

  • Published
  • By Fred Rauch
  • 341st Space Wing Anti-Terrorism Officer
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Investigation of past terrorist operations show extensive surveillance of the target was conducted prior to the attack. This has included surveillance of key personnel, their vehicles, offices and quarters; mass gathering and key facilities; base entry procedures; required forms of identification needed for entry; and noting daily sentry routines. In nearly every case, somebody saw something "suspicious" and failed to report it because they didn't understand what was occurring was suspicious.
In addition, we are routinely asked to report "suspicious" activity, or be aware of our surrounding and be on the lookout for "suspicious" vehicle or persons. What actions are considered suspicious? Below are some examples of suspicious activities to be on the look out for while you are out and about. 

1. Occupied vehicles conducting surveillance (cameras, video equipment, binoculars, etc.), especially on the base perimeter, around security posts, near launch facilities or missile alert facilities, and installation facilities. 

2. Personnel loitering in an area attentively "people" watching and taking notes. 

3. Vehicles that park close to a facility or illegally and the occupants immediately depart in another vehicle. 

4. Personnel who leave packages, briefcases or baggage next to a facility or vehicle and depart the area. 

5. Maintenance or construction workers who take more interest in the activities around them than their work. 

6. Personnel walking around taking photographs or videos of key senior leadership personnel, facilities, vehicles or restricted areas. 

7. Illegally parked or unattended vehicles with expired license plates or no plates visible in the vicinity of key facilities, mass gathering places, along perimeter fence lines or in military family housing areas. 

8. Personnel who ask specific questions about the mission of the base, man-power, security alarms and systems, radio frequencies, and change-over or shift change times, response capabilities, etc. 

9. Delivery personnel who attempt to make a delivery without a proper invoice or documentation or to a bogus address. 

10. Public Service personnel (i.e., cable, telephone, gas/electric, etc.) who attempt to gain access to your quarters or work centers for a service call that you know nothing about. When in doubt, verify the service call. 

11. You observe the same vehicle(s) or person(s) following you to and from work on a daily basis. 

12. During your travels on or off base, you observe the same vehicle(s) or person(s) 
every place you go. 

13. Personnel walking around parking lots looking in vehicles and taking notes. 

14. Personnel loitering in the vicinity of key facility generators, exterior fire suppression system, water and gas supply lines, and HVAC systems. 

15. Odd or unclaimed packages left in office areas or outside facilities.
These examples are not all inclusive, but are some of the more prevalent indicators of suspicious activity. Bottom line is, if it looks suspicious, walks suspicious, acts suspicious, it is suspicious and should be reported immediately. 

Do not attempt to challenge or contact a suspicious individual by yourself. Always have at least two or three people present, or at least monitor the individual(s) until a response team arrives. 

When reporting any suspicious or criminal activity, attempt to provide a complete description of the suspicious item, incident, people and vehicles involved. Use the SALUTE (Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time, Equipment) format. It is simple and easy to remember. You may want to keep a pen/pencil and a small note book handy to make notes. The more information you are able to provide, the more likely it is the suspicious activity can be thoroughly investigated. 

Lastly, don't assume away what you observe as innocent or unimportant. It may be the key piece of information needed to prevent or deter a terrorist incident. 

Antiterrorism is everyone's responsibility. If you wish to report suspicious information, call AFOSI, the 911 Center or the Wing Antiterrorism Officer. Your report will be immediately reviewed. 

INCIDENT REPORTING NUMBERS
 Security Forces: (Law Enforcement) 911 or 731-3895.
 AFOSI: 731-3558 (After Duty Hours call the Command Post, 731-3801 and ask for the on-duty agent).
 Wing Antiterrorism Officer: 731-2787.