87th ABW ATO shares experience abroad Published July 25, 2013 By Pascual Flores Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Providing safety and awareness on terrorism is not just a local matter, that is, not when you deploy more than 6,500 miles to share your knowledge with others for a particular member of the 87th Air Base Wing Antiterrorism Office. George Diorio, an 87th ABW antiterrorism officer deployed from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, deployed to Installation Management Command, Afghanistan, is working for the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce Program. "I'm attached to the Marine Corps ATO working with them on an AT plan program, random antiterrorist measures, designing base threats, and getting their program up and running," said Diorio, who has been working in Afghanistan since January. The CEW program's mission is to develop and implement policy within the Department of Defense that enables the services and DoD agencies to efficiently organize, train and equip qualified civilian employees to meet global and domestic national security mission requirements as an integral part of the Total Force as directed by the Secretary of Defense. "Here at the ATO we work with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and multiple contractors and are responsible for their safety and welfare," said Diorio, who retired as a Sergeant Major with 43 years of service in 2009, most with the New Jersey Army National Guard. As part of the CEW, the Civilian Deployment Experience allows civilians to apply their capabilities, experiences and knowledge which is critical to helping DoD accomplish its mission abroad. Qualified civilian volunteers will be selected for a tour of duty and normally work alongside deployed U.S. military members. "Some of the best moments are working with the Marines and some members from Georgia and Jordan," said Diorio, who calls New Jersey home. Diorio was a security specialist working in Force Protection at Fort Monmouth prior to being hired as a ATO for then McGuire Air Force Base. "George helps educate base residents and visitors on spotting and reporting terrorist activity and taking personal protective actions, as well as doing his part to encourage safe and secure building construction and proper precautions for contractors," said James Coleman, 87th ABW, Chief Antiterrorism Officer. "His deployed job is identical, utilizing many of the products developed locally to protect the people and base where he's stationed." Diorio said, that with the opportunity comes cultural and language challenges with the host nation, but he's having a ball, living the dream.