Fairchild Eagle Eyes program in full force Published May 3, 2007 By Air Force Office of Special Investigations FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The Air Force Eagle Eyes program is a global neighborhood watch program created to promote community awareness and involvement. The program encourages people on and off base to be cognizant of the observable planning activities of an attack and report them. The purpose of Eagle Eyes is to ensure the community knows what to look for and how to report suspicious activity; with a well-informed community, terrorist acts can be prevented or mitigated. The first important element to be aware of is surveillance. Overt surveillance may involve a person standing outside the gate jotting down notes or drawing a rough map, taking pictures, or using binoculars or other vision-enhancing devices. However, some surveillance is more covert, such as a "broken down" car in a place that allows its occupants the ability to observe on-base activities while waiting for "help." In order to plan an attack, terrorists must acquire information about the base and its personnel. In the early stages this can be done by reading published information or searching the Internet, but at some point the terrorists will try to obtain undisclosed information. This is usually done through elicitation, which is the attempt to obtain security-related information without the proper clearance or need-to-know. Elicitation may occur by phone, fax, e-mail, snail mail or in person. A terrorist may call and pose as an Air Force member, asking to speak to a high-ranking Air Force official to find out if s/he is deployed or away from the base. A stranger may approach an Air Force member in uniform at an off-base restaurant and, feigning curiosity, strike up a conversation with questions like: "Oh you work at Fairchild. What do you do? ... How many people from your office are deployed? ...What kind of planes do you have on base?" The third stage of planning a terrorist attack involves tests of security. This occurs when the terrorists attempt to measure the base's security reaction time and to assess its strengths or weaknesses. This may include someone driving at a high speed toward the gate to gauge the guards' reactions or it may involve a person hopping the fence and seeing how long s/he can elude the guards. At this stage, terrorists are interested in finding out the capability of the security they are up against, and how much they can get away with. Terrorists must also collect the necessary tools to carry out their mission. This may include purchasing or stealing weapons, ammunition, uniforms, military ID cards or any other controlled items. Dry cleaners often call saying they have ID cards that were left in clothes; though this seems harmless, this could provide terrorists access to the base. It is important for on base personnel to keep track of their ID cards and other controlled items. In addition, it is important to take note of suspicious people who "don't belong." After working in an office for a few weeks, people typically know who belongs in the office and should not be afraid to ask to see an ID or orders if there is a strange, inquiring face. Or, if they prefer not to take a direct approach, they can contact the 92nd Security Forces Squadron. The last step before a terrorist attack is the dry run. This is the test run, when the terrorists rehearse their plan, map out routes, and determine the timing and flow of their attack. After the rehearsal, the terrorists deploy their assets and get into position. At this point, they are putting on their masks and readying themselves to carry out their mission. This is the last opportunity to catch the terrorists before the attack occurs, so it is crucial to alert authorities immediately. If Airmen or citizens see anything suspicious occurring on or off base, they should immediately call 247-5493. For questions about the Eagle Eyes program or to schedule a briefing, e-mail Melissa.Johnson@ogn.af.mil.