FORT CARSON, Colo. — More than 330 active shooter incidents occurred in the U.S. between 2000 and 2019. According to a 20-year study released by the FBI earlier this summer, those incidents resulted in 1,062 deaths and 1,789 injuries. Of the 345 active shooters involved, 16 wore body armor and 135 of the incidents met the “mass killing” definition.

As the Army observes Antiterrorism Awareness Month this August, Phill Edenfield, anti-terrorism officer for the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, at Fort Carson reminded Mountain Post community members to remain vigilant about reporting the warning signs that so often appear in individuals prior to their violent acts.

“This annual observance helps sustain vigilance across all Army communities, at home and abroad,” Edenfield said. “All Soldiers are required to complete Anti-terrorism Level I training each year, but we want Family members and civilians to know they can receive that same level of training through Joint Knowledge Online with a sponsor’s approval at https://jkodirect.jten.mil.”

Proper training, keen eyes and vigilance can be effective at both preventing and mitigating the severity of terrorist incidents.

“We can’t have another incident like the one that occurred at Fort Hood in 2009,” said Edenfield, as he referred to the shooting spree perpetrated by an Army officer who killed 13 and wounded more than 30 others. “It is our inherent responsibility to protect our service members, our community and our installations.”

So, what type of behaviors and activities should people watch for?

Edenfield referred to iWatch Army guidance, which states that anyone drawing or measuring important buildings; strangers asking questions about security forces or security procedures and unattended briefcases, suitcases or backpacks, would be a few scenarios that should raise alarms.

“Likewise, anyone in an office environment who makes anti-federal government statements or threatens violence against organizations or people would be considered to be behaving suspiciously,” Edenfield said. “The perpetrator in the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting, for example, had been making anti-federal government statements for some time prior to the incident.”

The annual anti-terrorism month observance also helps inform community members of ways they can assist in the antiterrorism effort.

“Individuals are our first line of defense,” Edenfield said. “A lot of times people fear reporting something because they don’t want to get involved, yet it’s that Family member or coworker who will notice a change in behavior or a sudden outbreak of extreme comments.”

Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth issued a memo earlier this summer reminding service members of continually evolving threats.

“As threats evolve, so must our protection efforts,” she said in her statement. “The threat from international terrorism remains, but our focus must also address the increased threats from ideologically motivated violent extremism. Our anti-terrorism efforts provide a critical capability to assess, detect, warn, defend and recover from terrorist and extremist threats. All Army leaders must commit to eradicating extremist activity within the ranks. Our prevention efforts apply across the full spectrum of Army operations.”

Insider threats facing Army installations can include espionage, terrorism, unauthorized disclosure of national security information or the loss or degradation of Army resources or capabilities. The Army Insider Threat Program is an integrated effort to deter, detect and mitigate risks posed by civilian employees, contractors and service members who may represent a threat to national security. Early identification and intervention efforts protect people, information and critical assets.

While the Department of Homeland Security has placed an emphasis on combating domestic violent extremism, Edenfield also pointed to a recent report from the FBI that stated more than 220 individuals have been charged in the U.S. for supporting the Islamic state.

Soldiers, Family and community members should not only watch for the above-mentioned behavior, according to iWatch Army, but also for vehicles left in no-parking zones in front of important buildings, intruders found in secure areas and persons wearing clothes that are too big and bulky or inappropriate for hot weather. It’s also helpful for community members to report chemical odors or fumes and to take note of persons asking about building blueprints or security plans.

“If you see something, say something,” Edenfield said. “Along those lines, it’s important for people to know who and where they should report suspicious behavior or activity. Emergencies should always be reported by calling 911, but nonemergency suspicious behavior can also be reported to military police here at 719-526-2333 or 719-526-5615.”

Community members can also report suspicious activity by calling the 308th Military Intelligence Battalion at 719-526-4808 during duty hours or 301-974-5609 after duty hours. Report by email at usarmy.carson.902-mi-grp.list.308th-rocky-mtn-fo@gmail.mil. The CONUS hotline at 800-CALL-SPY (800-225-5779) is available nationwide. Also, iSALUTE provides an email address for anonymous reporting of suspicious behavior at https://www.inscom.army.mil/isalute/.

“At Fort Carson, suspicious activity can be reported to the Criminal Investigation Command (CID) office at 719-526-3991, military police or the Installation Antiterrorism Officer at 719-524-2733,” Edenfield said. “Suspicious activity at on-post schools can be reported at Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8’s Safe2Tell number: 877-542-7233.”