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Operations Security: Securing information on base

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Terrica Y. Jones
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

(This article is part two of a three-part series on Security)

Operations security signs are posted in work areas, bins are placed around base and a 100 percent shred policy is in effect.

Keeping critical information out of the unauthorized hands is why OPSEC must be every individual’s responsibility at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

 “Operations security is preventing our adversaries from getting any of our critical information, which is information that can relate back to an individual, their unit, or their service,” said Tech. Sgt. Ashunta Taylor, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing operations security program manager. “Every individual has a part to play when it comes to operations security, from the highest ranking to the lowest ranking airman.”

To ensure personnel know about OPSEC procedures, Taylor gives personnel information once they arrive at AUAB during “Right Start,” a base in-processing program. Latest OPSEC information is also relayed through OPSEC unit program monitors.

“I brief at every ‘Right Start’ to all incoming personnel, and I forward monthly news articles to my 47 OPSEC coordinators,” said Taylor. “They should be posting signs on their safety boards or in common access areas. I also meet with my working group monthly to figure out other ways we can get information out.”

 “The challenge is getting people to understand the importance of OPSEC and to understand the impact that discarding their information improperly could cause to our mission,” said Taylor.

There are three OPSEC bins around base for personnel to place unclassified paperwork in. Placing these items in an OPSEC bin versus trash can help decrease OPSEC violations from personnel.

“The OPSEC bins were established in 2014, so personnel could properly remove the labels and place them in the bins to be shred,” said Taylor. “If you are taking unclassified notes in a staff meeting and that information is about your unit, individual or mission, you can stick that in the bins and we will take care of it and shred it for you.”

Even with bins on base, critical information is still found in dumpsters. Senior Airman Merry Mejia, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron force protection member, deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Mejia is part of the “Tango” team, a FP trash detail team at AUAB.

“We pick out personally identifiable information, critical and sensitive information to ensure it doesn’t go off base,” said Mejia. “We are the PII protectors of the base.”

“We take the PII information back to the shop, sort it and take it up the chain and they make sure it is disposed of properly and then our OPSEC manager reports the OPSEC violations,” said Mejia.

“I keep track of violations by working closely with the force protection team who goes around and check the dumpsters,” said Taylor. “They go through the trash and find all the violations and identify which units have the violations, then they send me a report and I contact the commander, first sergeant, and the unit OPSEC monitors to let them know they have a violation.”

“It is very important to be aware of what we are throwing in the trash because it can go off base and into the adversary’s hands,” said Mejia.

There are three unclassified shred bins on base with “24/7” access or the shred tent. The shred tent is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Volunteers shred and assist with properly discarding the information in the bins,” Taylor added. “Anyone is welcome to volunteer.”