Working together to protect Andersen

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. William Sanguinetti
  • Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 602 commander
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Everyone's help is needed to keep Andersen safe and the wing's mission from being interrupted.

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations plays a key role in ensuring the safety of personnel assigned to Andersen in order to accomplish the mission. But they cannot do it alone. Their efforts are more effective when everyone realizes that this is their base and family and friends work together to do their part.

After Sept. 11, 2001, AFOSI launched the Eagle Eyes program, an anti-terrorism initiative which enlists the eyes and ears of Air Force members and citizens in the war on terror. Eagle Eyes posters are usually seen around base or on the commander's access channel.

Anyone can recognize elements of potential terror planning. Report suspicious behavior which could be indicative of surveillance, elicitation, tests of security, acquiring supplies, dry runs, deploying assets, or simply a suspicious person out of place. Watch - Report - Protect. To make a report or for more information, call 366-2910. This line is available 24 hours a day.

The first thing that comes to mind when most people think of AFOSI is usually criminal investigations. However, AFOSI's mission is much broader than that. They are charged with identifying, exploiting and neutralizing criminal, terrorist and intelligence threats.

Often their counterintelligence and counterterrorism missions are less visible but certainly not less important. On a daily basis AFOSI agents are working to identify and counter potential threats to the installation.

The investigative mission of AFOSI also helps protect the force by maintaining good order and discipline. AFOSI generally focuses on suspected felony-level crimes which cover a wide range of areas such as espionage, terrorism, crimes against property, violence against people, larceny, computer hacking, acquisition fraud, drug use and distribution, financial misdeeds, military desertion, corruption of the contracting process, and any other illegal activity that undermines the mission of the U.S. Air Force or the Department of Defense.

Report suspected crimes. Tips may be submitted 24 hours a day by calling toll free 1-877-246-1453 or e-mailing AFOSI's Crimebusters at hqafosi.watch@ogn.af.mil.

Lastly, AFOSI is always looking for high quality individuals interested in a challenging career field.

Current active-duty Air Force officers must meet the following criteria: have no more than six years federal commissioned service; have no more than 12 years of total federal military service; and be released by their Air Force Personnel Center assignment team.

Enlisted Air Force members eligible are master sergeants, technical sergeants, and staff sergeants with fewer than 12 years of military service, senior airmen with fewer than six years of service, and senior airmen-selects.

AFOSI accepts applications for civilian special agent positions from experienced law-enforcement personnel and from inexperienced college graduates looking for entry-level positions.

Those already in the AF Reserves are eligible for OSI special agent duty if they've served fewer than 12 years and are in the grades of senior airman, staff sergeant, technical sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, or captain.

Anyone interested in applying for this exciting career field may call 366-2987.