NATICK, Mass. - Antiterrorism (AT) is a Department of Defense (DoD) directed program to increase awareness with proper training and suspicious activity reporting procedures year round.
The AT program focuses on the detection and prevention of terrorist attacks against DoD personnel, their Families, facilities, installations, associated infrastructure critical to mission accomplishment. The program also focuses on preparations to defend against an attack and plan for the response to the consequences of terrorist incidents.
As the antiterrorism officer for U.S. Army Garrison – Natick, for the last 14 months, Kim Lashomb, takes this the topic quite seriously. Her goal is to ensure that Natick Soldier Systems Center is properly protected and prepared for potential threats.
“The main goal is to make sure I properly assess the threat against Natick and ensure the posture meets the proper level for the threat,” said Lashomb. “Antiterrorism is the defensive element of combating terrorism and relies upon everyone to deny the enemy surveillance opportunities and information needed to carry out a terrorist attack.”
While AT awareness is key when doing initial and yearly training, Lashomb stresses knowledge is key and encourages everyone who works and visits NSSC to remain vigilant and aware of threats every day.
“As antiterrorism education and awareness is critical to our defense, I encourage all to strive for enhancement of our Soldier’s, civilian’s, and family member’s understanding of the nature of terrorism and the potential for terrorist attacks on our installation, stand-alone facilities and units, not only throughout the year,” said Lashomb.
In the process of assessing vulnerabilities, Lashomb says it is important to remember that the AT program must have a several components and everyone’s awareness to be effective.
“A successful antiterrorism program must contain many elements including risk management, planning, training, education, awareness, exercises, resource generation, comprehensive program review and an aggressive random antiterrorism measures program,” said Lashomb. “I want to see everyone involved in mitigating the risk and protect us from the threats, ensuring protection from terrorist acts is successful only by integrating antiterrorism values with constant antiterrorism alertness into all we do.
“It’s important for all on the installation, including family members and civilian employees that if you see something, say something,” said Lashomb.
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