'See something, say something': Antiterrorism Awareness Month

By Yvette Smith, Fort Campbell CourierAugust 4, 2014

Fort Campbell Antiterrorism
Senior Army Leaders have proclaimed August Antiterrorism Awareness Month. With the slogan "see something, say something," its intent is to increase understanding and vigilance throughout the community while emphasizing the importance of suspicious ac... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (Aig. 4, 2014) -- Senior Army Leaders have proclaimed August Antiterrorism Awareness Month. With the slogan "see something, say something," its intent is to increase understanding and vigilance throughout the community while emphasizing the importance of suspicious activity reporting.

"[This] is a designated time within the course of the year that the Army leadership has selected to concentrate training, education, and awareness on all levels throughout the Army from the individual level all the way up to organizational level to counter terrorism," said Bill Fedak, Fort Campbell Installation Antiterrorism officer.

While the installation is doing a number of things in support of the awareness month, day-to-day antiterrorism actions are evident throughout the post, to include active law enforcement patrolling, access and entry control points with security guards who represent physical security -- a key aspect of antiterrorism plans and programs.

"Protection of our installations represents our most visible antiterrorism measures," said Fedak. "We also want to target some of the other programs that antiterrorism impacts -- specifically ensuring that all personnel that work on the installation are properly screened and vetted and meet security requirements.

"Our Army must sustain a strong defensive posture to prevent terrorist acts and protect Army critical assets (people, critical infrastructure and sensitive information)," said Fedak. "Complacency, if present, provides the enemy with a critical intangible of war -- opportunity. The Army understands the security challenges and threat opportunity and is fully capable of managing complacency when and where necessary."

Throughout the month, Soldiers, government employees, Family members and others will have opportunities to further educate themselves on antiterrorism measures with help from the Fort Campbell Installation Antiterrorism office.

"Primarily, there is a very large and planned information campaign that is going to be executed in large part by the Public Affairs Office," said Fedak. "Also, registered e-mail users on the Fort Campbell portal will receive weekly information from the antiterrorism office to further awareness efforts."

Additionally, the Fort Campbell Facebook page will provide weekly postings that support antiterrorism awareness at the individual level, said Fedak.

All Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians receive Level I Antiterrorism Awareness Training through a web-based portal upon entering their service. The training includes individual protective measures for Soldiers, other personnel, Family members, units and equipment from terrorist attacks. In addition, all Army personnel must receive annual refresher training that is also offered through online portal. Family members over the age of 14 accompanying the military member outside the United States must also receive training.

"There will also be meetings with key staff that will be held this month to help ensure that our threat analysis and information sharing processes are at the level that we desire," said Fedak. "Those processes and procedures get used daily so we take the opportunity to provide any improvements to those processes."

Fort Campbell completed a number of antiterrorism exercises within the past year, including a full-scale training exercise in June. Full-scale exercises help the installation focus as a whole on mitigating incidents, testing Fort Campbell's emergency preparedness by creating a notional scenario with casualties and injuries.

"The threat of terrorist attack against our homeland and our Army is real and an attack on our Army, whether successful or not, would demonstrate the terrorists' ability to strike at the heart of American strength," said Fedak. "Our antiterrorism measures represent defense against terrorists. The strength of our security is the backbone of our prevention and protection and reflects the strength of our Nation as a whole."

Preventing terrorism does not require special training. Anyone can contribute to antiterrorism by observing their surroundings and reporting suspicious or unusual activities that include:

•People asking security-related questions

•Unfamiliar individuals in secure areas

•Loitering

•Unauthorized photography of military facilities, sensitive areas or access control points

•Unattended briefcases, suitcases, backpacks or packages

•Unattended cars left in parking lots, no-parking zones or in front of important buildings.

"Some observations that have been reported by the average citizen have led to being added to ongoing investigations and have deterred potential instances of terrorism in the United States," said Fedak.

Prompt and detailed reporting of suspicious activities can help prevent terrorist attacks.

To report suspicious activity, call 911 or the Provost Marshal's Office at (270) 798-7111/7112/7113, as well as police or sheriff departments off post. For information on suspicious activity reporting, visit www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/report-suspicious-activity.

"Soldiers, government employees, contractors and Family members who maintain situational awareness and report suspicious activities dissuade terrorist activity by extending the reach of our law enforcement and security forces," said Fedak. "They provide extra eyes and ears for anything out of the ordinary. By doing this, our entire Army community supports sustained vigilance against terrorist threats."

REPORT activity

Suspicious activity can be reported by dialing 911 or the following contacts:

•Fort Campbell Military Police Desk: (270) 798-7111, 798-7112, 798-7113

•Oak Grove Police Department: (270) 439-4602.

•Clarksville Regional FBI Office: (931) 552-1018.

•Clarksville Police Department: (931) 645-7480.

•For information on suspicious activity reporting, go to www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/report-suspicious-activity.

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