[MilCom] Eagle Eyes: early reporting stops terrorism

Ken rfinder1 at verizon.net
Tue Aug 2 20:16:06 EDT 2005


Hello Mark & the group:

I'd agree with you that there's a fairly good chance for over-reaction by 
security & investigative personnel.  However, it's a difficult situation 
because there really isn't any way to initially tell the good 
guys/milcom/milair scanner/aviation photo hobbyists from potential 
terrorists.  IMHO the people that "shoot (pictures/video) & scoot" (and 
potentially are oblivious to security) are the ones that really need to be 
"at the tip" of the investigative spear so to speak, versus those that hang 
around the fence line for 'longer' periods of time (and are very obvious to 
security).   Unfortunately IMHO this isn't generally the case & most likely 
the hobbyists will be the ones successfully ID'd (e.g. license ID (name, 
DOB, ssan), vehicle plates, etc. ran through the various state/federal data 
bases.  Additionally there may be some special interest taken on the 
communications equipment that can be readily seen in the vehicle.   If any 
digital pictures with a camera were taken you MIGHT be asked to show the 
pictures.  Finally the hobbyist will most like be asked to leave the area 
and not return again.

It's too bad that somehow a special vehicle parking observation area (with 
appropriate tight security) couldn't be setup at each military airbase/joint 
use airport. So that hobbyists could enjoy their hobby "on scene" 
monitoring radio transmissions; watching the aircraft operations (e.g. 
takeoffs, landings, touch/goes, etc), photographing, etc....  At least you'd 
have everyone in one specific area that you could easily be watch with 
cameras, etc.... and basically along the rest of the fence line/access road, 
place signage indicating "no parking, no stopping", etc.....  Of course the 
other option (that will keep you out of the potential "database" being kept 
on all "fence liners" ID'd)  is to attend the nearest military open 
house/airshow where you can monitor radio transmissions, watch  & take 
pictures all you want!!!

BTW I've "retired" locally from any "on scene" military base fence line 
parking/monitoring/observing/photographing activities. If you are at a 
military air base that allows this activity, that's great!!!  Unfortunately 
at Westover JARB, MA (KCEF) it isn't allowed.

Ken


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "MJ Cleary" <mjcleary at bellsouth.net>
To: "MILCOM" <milcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 5:35 PM
Subject: [MilCom] Eagle Eyes: early reporting stops terrorism


Hobbyists beware. Some bases take this VERY seriously:

Eagle Eyes: early reporting stops terrorism

The Shaw SPIRIT
July 29, 2005

     If a suspicious person is walking along the fence off base, or someone 
drops a bag and walks away, or if a military member is approached by a 
stranger and asked questions about his job, what should be done? According 
to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, they should all be 
reported.
snip..snip..
       There are seven categories of suspicious activities that should be 
reported:
     -- Surveillance -- someone drawing a map, taking notes, or using 
binoculars, cameras or recording and monitoring devices, etc.
     -- Elicitation -- those who attempt to obtain information about base 
capabilities, readiness, operations etc. This may be done by mail, telephone 
or in person.

-- Tests of security -- measuring reaction times to security breaches or 
penetrating barriers to assess strengths and
weaknesses of security. Examples include driving a vehicle to the gate and 
seeing how long it takes for a response.

snip...snip..
 




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