Annual security awareness month around corner

  • Published
  • By Johnathan Hertwig
  • 56th Fighter Wing Force Protection
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE --  February is the annual security awareness month at Luke Air Force Base.

The purpose is to increase security and force protection awareness and provide training and exercises that focus on that awareness. Ultimately, we want a culture where each and every person in our Air Force community is aware.

Each individual is a critical element in Luke's force protection posture. Everyone should be aware of their surroundings and report things that are abnormal. Avoid becoming complacent with personal protective measures.

For example, after-action reporting of the Nov. 9, 2009, Fort Hood, Texas, incident revealed U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan was speaking favorably about violent acts, such as suicide bombings, as well as giving away personal possessions.

As wingmen, we have been trained to identify the warning signs and sound the alarm when necessary.

Currently, there is no credible specific threat against Luke, but there is the everpresent general threat against the U.S. by Al Qaida-affiliated organizations. Also, there is a general threat from insider and outsider active shooters. The later is gaining attention on Capitol Hill.

In early December 2011 a joint session of the U.S. Senate and House Homeland Security Committee held hearings on extremist threats to military personnel on installations or in the local community. Sen. Joe Lieberman, said, "The stark reality is that the American service member is increasingly in the terrorist's scope and not just overseas in a traditional war setting."

During the hearings it was revealed that since September 11, 2001, there have been 33 plots against the U.S. military and 70 percent of those threats have been since mid-2009.

Now that we understand the situation, there are a few simple things that can be adopted as part of routine behaviors to reduce risk.

· Maintain a low profile when traveling.

· Keep daily routines as unpredictable as possible and always be alert to the surroundings.

· Report anything suspicious, abnormal or out-of-place to the 56th Security Forces Squadron by calling (623) 856-5970 or Air Force Office of Special Investigations at (623) 856-6821 to make an Eagle Eyes report.

· Be aware of personality changes in friends and coworkers and report concerns to leadership, a chaplain or medical professional.

Rest assured that Luke's threat working group is continually assessing information and will provide relevant information to the Luke community when appropriate.

Be safe and look out for each other; we're a family.