"Eagle Eyes" Program & Hobbyists Re: [MilCom] Pensacola Beach/July 16-21, 2007

[Ken]

Joe:

I highly doubt that the "Eagle Eyes" program is going to be active on the 
beach -- BUT I guess anything is possible!!!! (Where there any vans with 
heavy tinted windows parked next to you for possible surveillance??? :)

In theory it can be a good program; HOWEVER, the problem is that "well 
meaning" people may be causing some problems for radio monitoring hobbyists 
& aviation enthusiasts by reporting observations (I call it a problem of 
"pre-conceived" perception rather than the reality of what hobbyists are 
doing)  -- resulting in potential TALON reports being submitted to a central 
data base
see: 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/10/AR2005121000893.html

The AF Eagle Eyes program specifics of what warrants reporting can be found 
at:  http://www.osi.andrews.af.mil/eagleeyes/index.asp

Unfortunately,  I would agree that initially that you really can't tell the 
difference between a hobbyist and a terrorist.   Although IMHO the vehicle 
that departs BEFORE you get to ID it and the individuals in the vehicle, is 
more suspecious (and may need further followup) than some hobbyist loaded 
down with cameras, note pad, radio scanners, binoculars etc... and does not 
leave the area for a fairly long period of time or even when security is 
responding.  I also think that the military needs to take specific action in 
conjunction with civilian law enforcement (on the other side of the fence) 
that erects signs that specifically state .... no parking, standing, 
loitering next to the perimeter fence areas, rather than the current knee 
jerk reaction that continues at many military bases.   Also recurring news 
releases to local newspapers as well the military bases' websites needs to 
clearly state the policy on walking, standing, parking next to perimeter 
fences.

That's the reason why I'm hesitant to do any "on scene" monitoring/watching 
activities at this point.  Again the term "near scene", such as your visit 
to the beach, may be the only enjoyment available when there's no 
airshow/open house at the respective military base of hobbyists interest.

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Cobb" <gunslinger37217 at yahoo.com>
To: "Milcomm" <Milcom at mailman.qth.net>; "Radio Monitors" 
<Radiomonitors at yahoogroups.com>; "NashvilleScan" 
<nashvillescan at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2007 11:45 PM
Subject: [MilCom] Pensacola Beach/July 16-21, 2007


...snip..snip..snip..

> Hello all.  Just got back from Pensacola Beach after a
> week.  I logged some (not like a did last year) and
> got a few call signs and freqs.  No times this round.
>
..snip..snip...snip.
> Shame on me for not writing things down while watching
> planes but honestly i was enjoying finally getting to
> see the Raptor and didn't want any "eagle (paranoid)
> eyes" looking at me.