Action Line #80205 - AFN OPSEC

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

I have a quick question about a possible OPSEC Violation. Everyday in my 12 year military career I have been reminded to practice OPSEC. Do this and don't talk about that around people you don't know. Since arriving at Incirlik AB, and watching AFN, I have noticed the scrolled across the bottom of the screen informing the base populous of information such as passenger pickup times of Patriot Express missions, curfew changes and town hall meetings.

I understand that the signal is not broadcasted outside of Incirlik AB. However, what about the TCN's that work here on base and have access to AFN in their work centers?

Is this not a OPSEC violation?

Response:

Thanks for keeping an eye out for potential OPSEC violations; it is attention like this that helps ensure we protect critical information. While the items you pointed out in base media are potentially sensitive, we have to balance the need to protect unclassified information against our responsibility to keep military members and their dependents informed.

Some of the tools we have to do this are AFN, the Commander's Access Channel and e-mail. In the end, it comes down to balancing risks with method of dissemination, audience, impact, protection of our community and OPSEC guidance.

Based on these factors and AMC instructions specifically defining when flight information can be released, the items you pointed out are not OPSEC violations.

However, I don't want this to diminish the importance of asking the question you did. We should all ask it more often and ensure it is properly considered before sending out information.