FORT LEE, Va. – “The world we live in has become increasingly dangerous for U.S. government workers, military personnel and their families, and law enforcement officers,” noted DPTMS Director Scott Brown while emphasizing the importance of the August Antiterrorism Awareness Month campaign.
“We have to talk about it (the threat posed by violent extremists and other criminals),” Brown insisted. “We need to raise awareness of what actions all of us can take to reduce the possibility of attacks happening in our communities and neighborhoods. That’s what this awareness and educational effort is all about.”
Throughout the coming month, force protection experts from the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security will be pushing out crime prevention and antiterrorism awareness information through post-wide emails, social media, the Fort Lee homepage, and awareness tables throughout Fort Lee.
For the 2022 AAM Campaign, the Army’s purpose is to instill heightened awareness and vigilance to thwart terrorist attacks and protect military personnel and critical resources from acts of terrorism. This year’s focus areas that will help guide commanders on how to recognize threats and take actions to prevent terrorist activities are Countering Violent Extremism training; Suspicious Activity reporting; Threat Awareness and Reporting Program; Operations Security; Unmanned Aircraft System reporting procedures; and antiterrorism officer credentialing.
The objective is for everyone to understand key antiterrorism principles, preventive measures, current threat trends, and how to recognize and report suspicious activity, Brown said.
“Our garrison antiterrorism officer meets frequently with the Richmond FBI, the local Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Virginia Fusion Center to ensure the command has the most current threat information pertaining to Fort Lee,” Brown further explained. “All of this boils down to the command doing its part to ensure the safety and security of the post population, but there is a final piece of the puzzle … you … everyone who works, resides-on or regularly visits Fort Lee.
“Antiterrorism Awareness Month, for us, is all about helping Team Lee understand its role in the force protection process,” he summarized. “In the coming weeks, we’re going to share a lot of valuable information about threat recognition; the importance of the ‘See Something, Say Something’ initiative, how the Installation Operations Center communicates emergency information here, and how everyone can take steps to reduce their profile as a potential victim, particularly online where extremists gather data and promote deadly violence. For the sake of installation security and protection of yourself and your family, we hope you will join us on this journey of awareness and action.”
Anyone with specific questions about the AAM Campaign, or the training opportunities available for units and military organizations on post should contact their unit antiterrorism officer or call the DPTMS Installation Antiterrorism Officer at 804-734-1575. To report suspicious activity on the installation, call the law enforcement desk at 804-734-7400 or notify the chain of command. Those off-post should contact their local police department or call 911.
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