OPSEC: The difference between mission success, failure

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Every day, U.S. servicemembers use operational security measures to identify critical information within their units, helping to determine if mere friendly actions can be observed and used by adversaries.

Officials from the Combatant and Joint Force Commands identify this as key for Airmen and Soldiers serving in a country, which is technically still at war.

"OPSEC is the difference between an adversary gaining information versus not," said 1st Lt. Christina Kulp, 8th Fighter Wing deputy chief of plans and programs.

In an effort to inhibit this ongoing threat, Kunsan maintains a 100 percent shred policy for everything. This is especially important in Korea where adversaries are waiting for the slightest slip of operational information to leave the base.

Monthly dumpster dives are conducted to check if units and personnel are adhering to this 100 percent shred policy. These dumpster dives are accomplished by Kulp and her team of unit OPSEC managers from all across base.

"More often than not we find training manuals, addresses and social security numbers," she said. "We have a 100 percent shred policy to ensure this information does not get into the wrong hands."

The 8th Force Support Squadron's OPSEC manager, Senior Airman Joshua Fox, said he and 12 others from his unit recently completed a dumpster dive and the results were astounding.

"It was quite frankly surprising what we found," Fox said. "The base has one collection point everything funnels through. So we went out there with gloves on and dug through the mess. It wasn't hard to find items."

Of the 30 some bags Fox and his crew rummaged through, 22 of them contained questionable items. These items included anything from aircraft technical orders to direct deposit information to even a member's tax documents.

"It has made me second guess what I throw out," he said. "If you're ever stumped and don't know, just shred it."

If shredders in the office are an issue for units, the post office has several big shredders. The post office can be reached during normal duty hours at 782-5514 to schedule a time for mass shredding.

Not only can the enemy track troop movements, obtain operationally hazardous information and commit identity theft by simply perusing the trash, they can also acquire similarly useful information through social media, officials said.

Whether in the states or in Korea, Airmen and Soldiers of all ranks must keep operations security in mind at all times with everything they do.

"Eighty percent of the information an enemy needs to get is open source," said Kulp. "That is the nature of living and being in a free country. The difference is how easy we make that for them. It is imperative that anyone associated with sensitive information be cognizant of that."

Most servicemembers make good use of available social networks to stay in touch with family while serving overseas. However, officials advise to be careful of the details, text, photos and video posted to profiles on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.

"Your actions are your choice, but believe me, our enemies are banking on your dismissal of this simple, but imperative policy," she said. "I can say that it is essential - but the difference is the average Airman knowing this and incorporating it into his or her everyday life."

All Airmen and Soldiers serving overseas are U.S. ambassadors in some form or another and as such should act on this great responsibility; Kulp says, "It's also our job."

"Our job defines who we are," she said. "It is the burden of service. Your burden also involves perception and station in a foreign country. What you do stands out, whether you realize it or not. Again, the choice is yours. Neither I, nor anyone else can control your actions in your off-duty time; but your fellow service members only deal with the consequences of it."

"It's an individual responsibility," she added. "Your choice determines other's outcomes."