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

[Joe Cobb]

Ken and the group, 

Thanks for the insight.  This particular area i was
able to watch some of the Tyndall activity wasn't
actually on the beach.  It was right off of highway 98
just before you cross a bay and go onto Tyndall
property.  It was a public park right on the bay (or
inlet) complete with picnic tables, place to to
fishing, swimming, etc.  It is right across from the
base and is right in the flight pattern.  It's a very
nice area actually.  I noticed local PD patrol by the
area twice while i was there but i just don't want
those bozos that think they are doing good end up
causing me grief cause they don't know anything about
my business.  I would much rather be confronted,
kindly of course, than some coward hide behind a cell
phone and a cop (once he gets there).  That way i can
explain and maybe calm their fears so to speak. I did
take a few pics but kept it at a minimum.  There were
others that stopped by as well, mainly with kids, that
were doing the same thing i was doing, plane spotting.
 My scanner is attached mobile hooked to an amplified
speaker so the only thing i had in my hand was a
camera.  But anyhow, maybe next time my equipment will
be a scanner, camera, and fishing pole.  It was a good
trip and i did acomplish most of what i wanted. 
Seeing the Blues on the beach, catch a Raptor, and
listen to some "real" milair.  I live in Tennesee
folks and only ONE of those that i acomplished on my
trip will EVER come true in Tennessee and that is
getting to see the Blue Angels.  Can't wait till
Millington in September.

Joe
Nashville, Tn.
--- Ken <rfinder1 at verizon.net> wrote:

> 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.
> 
> 
>
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