PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - National and international terrorist related threats and incidents have been frequent and continue to persist.
You may believe that attacks like these are inevitable with little protective recourse available to stop them.
This feeling may be result from the massive media saturation about the successful terrorist attacks; the graphic images of their destruction, the perceived susceptibility of communities to terrorist attacks and the high degree of extremist fanaticism.
However, for every successful terrorist attack there are countless number of plots that are thwarted that do not always make it into the public spotlight.
They may never achieve media attention due to their classification, or maybe it's considered a non-event since it is it not sensational and is only mentioned in some obscure article buried somewhere inside a newspaper.
The Army Antiterrorism (AT) Program believes that the significance of foiled attacks is underappreciated and they provide the most important lessons learned.
Building on protection from terrorist attacks, the Army AT Program calls it "antiterrorism awareness."
It is awareness of your environment to detect activity that seems out of place from the ordinary.
It is awareness that you and your fellow community members and family are partners with the law enforcement and are able to report suspicious behaviors.
FORT DIX
The terrorist plot to attack Fort Dix, N.J. in 2007 is a model example of AT awareness.
Six extremists plotted an armed mass casualty attack against servicemen and women on the installation.
They recorded their firearms training conducted in the Poconos, Pa., and turned in their video to a store in Cherry Hill, N.J. to be converted into a DVD.
The store clerk viewed the video and found it to be unusual and disturbing.
He notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who was able to infiltrate the group and prevent the group from completing their attack plan.
The subjects were subsequently arrested and imprisoned after being found guilty. Had the clerk not been attentive and failed to notify the FBI, this most likely would have ended in another horrific mass causality incident.
The Army AT Program believes that, "in a sense, the Army community represents the most formidable obstacle to terrorism."
Planning and pre-operational surveillance is an essential component of a terrorist attack cycle.
During this time the terrorists place potential targets under surveillance to gain intelligence and to finalize their attack plans. This is the time they are most exposed and vulnerable to detection.
They may be taking photographs, videos, or drawing diagrams; trying to access locations that are normally controlled or restricted; asking questions that pertain to security or about topics only for those who "have a need to know"; or simply loitering around.
This is the time the community is the most potent terrorist foe by spotting and reporting their suspicious activity. Further investigation by law enforcement leading from a single report may be all that is needed to prevent their attack.
It is important to realize that you as a community member represent the best defense against terrorism. We do not want to promote paranoia that a threat lurks around every corner but while going about your daily business stay aware of your surroundings.
Are there unidentified personnel in or around your building? Are there briefcases, backpacks or packages left behind or other objects that were not there before? Are unknown cars parked in no parking zones or nearby populated or important locations?
Keep mental notes of things you see. A single characteristic may not make you suspicious, but a combination of them may.
If something doesn't seem or feel right, your observation should be reported to law enforcement, let the experts check it out.
REQUIRED TRAINING
Army policy requires all soldiers and civilians to take the web-based Antiterrorism Level I Training annually. It provides Army awareness training, how to detect and report terrorist surveillance and personnel protection. It can be found on the Army Knowledge Online portal, https://atlevel1.dtic.mil/at/. It is strongly encouraged for family members and is mandatory when they travel overseas.
iWATCH
Like a valued neighborhood watch program, the Army established iWATCH ARMY to partner between the community and law enforcement to promote AT awareness.
Report behaviors and activities that seem suspicious, make you feel uncomfortable or do not look right immediately to the Picatinny Arsenal Police at building at 973-724- 7273 (PAPD), building 173. Please take a moment to view our website that provides additional information and resources on the Picatinny Intranet: https://picac2w5.pica.army.mil/dpsea/antiterror.html
iSALUTE
For counterintelligence matters that are potential indicators of espionage, terrorist-associated insider threat, and extremist activity, iSALUTE ARMY seeks your assistance.
Report behaviors and activities that advocate extremism, or that are associated with a terrorist organization to our 902nd Military Intelligence at 973-724-5446; to their national hotline 1-800 CALL SPY (1-800- 225-5779); or submit an online report at https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/633775.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
The persistent nature of the world-wide threats and the expectation by public safety officials that it will continue underscores the need for a robust AT awareness program. Everyone at Picatinny Arsenal is an active sensor to detect and report threat activity to help protect and keep our community safe.
See Something, Say Something.
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