See something, say something

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brittany E. N. Murphy
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  

“Every person is responsible to the security of the base,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. William Tilley, 39th Security Forces Squadron NCOIC of Force Protection and Intelligence.

For the U.S. Air Force Airmen of the 39th SFS, it is their duty to protect the people, the mission, assets and to maintain the security of Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, but it is everyone’s job to report suspicious activity.

“Everyone can report,” said Tilley. “It doesn’t matter if you are a U.S. service member or not, any NATO partner on this base is able to fill out a suspicious activity report.”

When reporting suspicious activity, there are several different options. All escorts, on duty 39th SFS members and unit antiterrorism representatives have an Attachment 8, suspicious activity form, which follows a similar structure as a SALUTE report, which stands for size, activity, location, uniform, time and equipment.

“To safeguard both our Turkish Air Force partners and ourselves, we should be vigilant and use the SALUTE principle to report suspicious activities, such as unauthorized photography with personal cellphones, even if they are not directed toward U.S. personnel,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Andrew Chen, 39th Air Base Wing OPSEC program manager. “We are guests on this base, and we are in this together with our Turkish allies.”

Another form for reporting is an Attachment 9 form, created specifically for small unmanned aerial systems, or drones.

According to Tilley, if members see something flying, such as a kite or a balloon, say something immediately so that the Force Protection and Intelligence office can determine if they are seeing a trend of these objects or if it is something out of the ordinary.

“It can be different if I see something that is suspicious to me, it may not to be suspicious for you,” said Tilley. “It may not be criminal; but something out of the ordinary for the environment that we are in now. It is better to have more reporting than not enough.”

For individuals who witness suspicious activity and do not have an Attachment 8 or 9, contact Base Defense Operations Center at 676-3200, Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection or the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. There are also ATFP sirens located throughout base housing which should be used if the individual feels that the incident is urgent.