Ramstein keeps vigilant in fight against terrorism

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Savannah L. Waters
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Military members are constantly reminded to exercise vigilance and be prepared for any situation, everywhere they go.

Specific procedures for the military are in place to mitigate terrorism, which is defined as the unlawful use of violence or threat of violence to instill fear and coerce governments or societies.

To enforce and build on those procedures, the 86th Security Forces Squadron is taking part in the U.S. Army Antiterrorism Awareness Month.

“Combating terrorism starts with awareness,” said Tech. Sgt. Jason Camacho, 86th SFS Antiterrorism Force Protection noncommissioned officer in charge.

This August is the eighth annual U.S. Army Antiterrorism Awareness Month, which pushes members to be aware of the dangers posed by terrorism, and know how to combat them.

Though a U.S. Army initiative, the military as a whole works together to combat terrorism and ensure members are aware of its history and the proper reporting procedures.

The 86th SFS AT/FP office implements antiterrorism operations and contingency plans into the installation, collects and disseminates threat information in support of three wings, and advises the 86th Airlift Wing commander on Department of Defense antiterrorism standards and requirements.

The 86th SFS AT/FP office also works with the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Antiterrorism office, collaborating and disseminating information regarding threats within the Kaiserslautern Military Community.

U.S. Air Force commanders appoint unit antiterrorism representatives who are trained by the AT/FP office on vulnerability assessment and suspicious activity reporting.

“Annual exercises and base exercises are an opportunity to test awareness of the base, as well as their knowledge of force protection conditions and lockdown procedures, which is very important,” said Camacho.

Antiterrorism offices integrate antiterrorism programs into operations and contingency plans to protect everyone, and recommend resource allocation priorities to eliminate terrorism-related vulnerabilities and make service member’s lives safer.

“Antiterrorism is everyone’s job, not just security forces, not just law enforcement or the intel community,” Camacho said. “Report anything out of the norm, regardless of how minute it is. It may not be something to you at the time, but it may be something that the law enforcement community can look into.”

The AT/FP office also monitors and gives recommendations for mass gatherings of DOD personnel on and off base, ensuring unit representatives assist their unit deployment managers and supervisors in updating personnel on travel restrictions for official and leisure travel, and teach threat awareness information via websites or hands-on classroom training.

“The briefs we receive about what to look out for can be very informative and helpful,” said Senior Airman Daniel Krueger, 86th Communications Squadron communications focal point technician. “Making sure that the community has the knowledge will hopefully result in an increase in safety and preparedness, as well as the utilization and dissemination of that information.”

People should be aware of what’s going on in the area, even if they are on unofficial duty, in the local area, or traveling.

Whether it’s domestic terrorism or international terrorism, being aware of antiterrorism standards, plans, procedures, surveillance detection, and knowing force protection conditions and random antiterrorism measures can save lives.

For any travel information regarding restrictions or access to a country, military members can utilize the following websites: State Department, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en.html ; Foreign Clearance Guide, https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm; and (STEP) Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, https://step.state.gov/STEP/.

For those who have any antiterrorism related issues or concerns, contact the 86th SFS AT/FP office at DSN 480-7972/7029 or commercially at +49-6371-47-7972/7029.