Eielson spouse: More than meets the 'Eagle Eyes'

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jason Vaught
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  In the wake of the bombings in Boston and terrorist attempts to disrupt the daily lives of American citizens, an Eielson Air Force Base spouse sprang into action and reported a suspicious person during an Operational Readiness Exercise in April.
 
Jenny Mosley, wife of Tech. Sgt. Christopher Mosley, 354th Fighter Wing, was on her way to work when she noticed a person in a vehicle monitoring the base through binoculars.

"There was a gentlemen in a car as I drove out the front gate with binoculars watching the flightline. It was weird," said Mosley. "I've seen the 'Eagle Eyes' information on TV for what to do when you see something suspicious."

Agents from Air Force Office of Special Investigations Det. 632 were pleased with Mosley's actions and recognized her with a certificate of appreciation and coin of excellence during a ceremony May 17.

Mosley said she just wanted to make someone aware that a person who was acting suspicious appeared to be watching the base.

"Something didn't feel right so I thought I should call it in," said Mosley. "It was a simple process; I called, reported what I saw and went about my day. It didn't take long at all."

Eielson's AFOSI Det. 632 responds to reports in partnership with members of the 354th Security Forces Squadron in an effort to keep base employees and residents safe.

"It takes a lot of courage for someone to actually make a phone call like that," said Cynthia Overcash, AFOSI Det. 632 special agent. "People always assume that somebody else has called in or already reported. It's great when somebody actually makes that step to make sure it was reported."

As a result of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in 2001, the Air Force implemented "Eagle Eyes" to educate people on observable activities and what to do if they see something suspicious.

According to AFOSI officials, there are seven patterns of behavior in particular to keep an eye out for.

Surveillance: Someone recording or monitoring activities. This may include the use of still or video cameras, note taking, drawing diagrams, map making or using binoculars.

Elicitation: People or organizations attempting to gain information about military operations, capabilities or people. Elicitation attempts may be made by mail, fax, e-mail, telephone or in person. Examples could include being approached and asked about what's happening at the base, troop strength numbers, the number of airplanes on base, etc.

Tests of security: Any attempts to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers or procedures in order to assess strengths and weaknesses.

Acquiring supplies: someone purchasing or stealing explosives, weapons, ammunition, detonators, timers, etc. Also includes acquiring military uniforms, decals, flight manuals, passes or badges (or the equipment to manufacture such items) or any other controlled items.

Suspicious people: People who don't seem to belong in the workplace, neighborhood or business establishment. This category is hard to define, but the point is that people know what does and does not look right in their neighborhoods, office spaces and communities.

Dry run: Putting people into position and moving them around according to their plan without actually committing the terrorist act. This is especially true when planning a kidnapping, but it can also pertain to bombings. An element of this activity could include mapping out routes and determining the timing of traffic lights and flow. Take note of people moving around from place to place without any apparent purpose and doing it, perhaps, many times. The appropriate example here is the 9/11 hijackers, who are now known to have actually flown on those exact flights several times before 9/11, working out arrival times, parking, ticketing, going through security, boarding, etc.

Deploying assets: People and supplies getting into position to commit the act. This is a person's last chance to alert authorities before the terrorist act occurs. Look for people loading vehicles with weaponry or explosives, strange-looking people in military uniforms, or people who seem out of place standing by at a certain location as if waiting for something to happen.

To report any suspicious activity, call Eagle Eyes or the law enforcement desk at (907) 377-5130. You can also contact AFOSI Det. 632 at (907) 377-1852.