[MilCom] Re: Suspecious Hobbyist!!!!

[MJ Cleary]

Ken,

Every sign there had the slogan "Report Suspicious Activity" on the bottom 
line. There was also an OSI booth there that included information about the 
Eagle Eyes program. I purposely had no radios with me. I usually monitor the 
practices and leave early enough to return home and monitor (far more 
effectively) from there. With camera, phone, and two kids in tow there never 
would be a chance to listen effectively. When questioned I explained I was 
interested in the tail art and keeping track of which of my photos went with 
a particular airframe. Didn't volunteer any words that would raise a red 
flag like radio hobbyist, plane spotter, fleet list, etc. It seemed every 
local LE agency that has a mobile command post had it there in operation and 
the SWAT team was staged in the rear of the displays. Next time will bring 
more film and photo all tails and markings.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken" <rfinder1 at verizon.net>
Subject: Suspecious Hobbyist!!!! uRe: [MilCom] Charleston Airshow Report


> Hello Mark:
>
> Really enjoyed your airshow report...  Was really laughing on the floor 
> with the info you provided below...   Sounds like the security forces got 
> confused with what an open houses/airshows are all about verus OSI's 
> "Eagle Eyes Program"...
> I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time, but you could basically have been 
> using a camera/video camera to get the same information.
>
> Seems like there's a fetish about tail numbers being observed/recorded in 
> the air force... Frankly if there's such concern than get rid of them on 
> the tail and just put a small number under the pilots window (I'd guess 
> that there's some ICAO regulations about all aircraft having visible 
> tail#'s to aid in air traffic control).. Also don't use them at all as 
> part of the callsign of any aircraft..  Also anyone with binoculars during 
> the daylight hours can easily pick up the tail #'s when aircraft are on 
> final approach and/or climbing out on departure ....
>
> You didn't say in your post how many radios you had hanging on your 
> belt... Perhaps the real reason you got stopped is you had way too many 
> radios/electronic equipment strapped to your belt!!!! :) ;)
>
> Ken