Base security requires more than guns, guards

  • Published
  • By William Bravo
  • Wing Antiterrorism Office
The Department of Defense has many tools it uses in furthering its antiterrorism programs.

Some have catchy titles such as the "TSWG" or Technical Systems Working Group; others sound more grand, such as the Force Protection Corporate Structure. There are dozens of councils, boards and working groups in Air Mobility Command alone that seek to guide and implement protective programs. However, we have the best antiterrorism and security tool right here on the base: the community. The key to using this tool is fostering a culture of security awareness where every Airman, employee and family member aids in the protection of the community and organization.

Security programs, if done well, are an investment in the quality of life rather than an expense. The base can post more guards and buy the best technology, but the overall effect doesn't likely match the capability it gains when everyone is a stakeholder in protecting each other, the base's assets and missions. Guards, guns and gizmos can't economically provide the level of protection we seek. The quickest and most cost effective way to improve security in a community or organization is through education and awareness. Base officials spend millions of dollars and thousands of hours preparing for crisis management - the actions in responding to a threat, incident or crime. They also train and prepare for consequence management - recovering from an incident. Crisis and consequence management are largely reactive and after the fact. Security and antiterrorism awareness are proactive measures that can prevent a crime or incident, or should one occur, hasten and improve the base's response. They affect all aspects and phases of protective programs.

Crime -- including terrorism -- often relies on three elements: motivation to commit the act, opportunity and the ability. Security awareness affects all of these to keep everyone safer. An organization that promotes vigilance will close the window of opportunity for an adversary by detecting them faster and possibly deterring the act from occurring. An alert and educated organization likewise erodes an adversary's capability. Security awareness complicates the planning and execution cycles in criminal and terrorist acts; it simply makes all aspects of the crime or act harder. The base's response is faster and decision-making is more accurate when everyone pulls together to protect each other. Base officials get greater freedom of movement by focusing on the right things and thereby increasing an adversary or criminal's margin of error - positively influencing the quality of life by deterring or limiting many ill events. This deterrent factor is a reflection of acting on the motivation for committing an adverse act. With better information and greater focus provided by an alert community, base officials can carefully select tactics and wisely commit resources for everyone's safety and security.

Leveraging the strength of the community through awareness and education includes weaving a security culture through all aspects of our community. Increasing vigilance where anyone reports or challenges suspicious events and everyone is on guard for benefit the community is vitally important. This entails knowledge of the threat, appreciating the risk, and a familiarity with contacts for reporting an event or incident. On this installation, the thousand eyes and ears in the community is much more powerful than a few hundred if we were to rely on security forces alone. Education is based on increasing knowledge of key aspects of the base's protective programs. By embracing many functional areas, base officials will have more holistic protection. Including security, crime prevention, antiterrorism, information assurance, force medical protection and safety in the educational and awareness efforts will solidly make the community safer and more secure. Security is about our quality of life.

In the end, security and safety relies less on expensive weapons systems and complex operating procedures and more upon the "buddy system" applied on large scale where everyone is looking out for everyone else. It is important to report all suspicious activities, whether it occurred on or off the installation.

The bottom line is that if it looks suspicious, then it is. Report it to the 62nd Security Forces Squadron or the Office of Special Investigations immediately!