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OSI urges base members to keep ‘Eagle Eyes’ open

  • Published
  • By Airman Rebekah Phy
  • McGuire Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  Eagle Eyes program officials at the McGuire Office of Special Investigations are urging all base members to remain vigilant through the holiday season.

Eagle Eyes is an anti-terrorism initiative that enlists the eyes and ears of Air Force members and citizens in the war on terrorism.

OSI helps inform people about the typical activities terrorists engage in to plan their attacks. With that knowledge, they are better equipped to recognize elements of potential terror planning if it occurs and report it to OSI or 305th Security Forces Squadron personnel.

Suspicious and terrorist activities can appear in many ways. A potential terrorist could be someone asking a lot of questions or someone who is quietly, but closely observing activities on the base.

Tests of security are popular with potential terrorists. For example, "Someone might go up and cut a piece of the fence," said OSI Special Agent Erik Pelowitz. "They will wait to see how long it takes us to notice and fix it.

"Also, potential terrorists might try to acquire supplies, try to find out how to get an ID, base stickers or a uniform," he said.

Surveillance is another thing to be aware of, if someone suspicious is observing the base or base housing, taking pictures, using binoculars or taking notes, these are all possible terrorist activities that should be reported, Agent Pelowitz said.

Even something as insignificant as someone asking too many questions should be monitored, he said. Something just might not sound right - they might be digging too deep or being too specific about a certain topic.

"Law enforcement can't be everywhere at one time. We need to get the public involved to help support our efforts," Agent Pelowitz said. "Every Airman has a responsibility to report suspicious activity that could lead to information or the detection of preoperational activity before it occurs."

OSI offers full briefings on the Eagle Eyes program to those interested, and information pamphlets are also available. OSI can be reached at (609) 754-3353, and security forces at (609) 754-2001.