Action Line #90810 -- LN Cell Phone Use

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  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Complaint: 

I'm a big fan of OPSEC...

While at a facility in the Hospital, I noticed a woman who appeared to be looking at her computer monitor and at the same time talking on her cell phone. On the surface this was not something abnormal, however I was under the impression that local nationals, civilian employees, were not allowed to have personal cell phones on base unless it was required for them to do their job. I mean in a supervisory position of some sort. Personally we all have cell phones and use them as we may need. I'm just curios if there is such a policy or is that just a rumor. The fact that someone has access to my medical records is one thing, but if this person isn't suppose to have a cell phone and is able to sit openly and provide any information via cell phone, is this not a small piece to the big puzzle? To make a call off base you must have an access code and those calls are tracked.

Response: 

Thank you for the question. By and large, you are correct about the use of cellular phones by Turkish nationals on Incirlik; however, there are a few exceptions.

The 10th Tanker Base Command has a policy in accordance with Turkish Military Intelligence Regulations strictly limiting cell phone use on Turkish military bases. Specifically, cell phone use is restricted to key personnel. This policy applies to Turkish military personnel, as well as civilian local national employees of the 39th Air Base Wing. 10th Tanker gate security screen personnel as they enter and exit the base.

There are local national members of the 39th Medical Group who need to use cell phones as part of their job providing you superb medical services. These personnel have approval to use cell phones, and it is actually written into their contract. Cell phones are required because these personnel are on call and required to respond to medical translation requests. Without knowing exactly who you saw talking on the cell phone at the clinic, I must presume what you saw was one of those who has approval for cell phone use.