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Airmen must remain vigilant in OPSEC

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Spencer Gallien
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Editors Note: This is the first part of a three-part series.

"Even minutiae should have a place in our collection, for things of a seemingly trifling nature, when enjoined with others of a more serious cast, may lead to valuable conclusion." George Washington.

Operations security has long been a mantra in the United States military, beginning with the American Revolution. Although not always titled OPSEC, the security of information has always been regarded as an important factor for the warfighter.

OPSEC, as servicemembers know it today, began during the Vietnam War when Navy Adm. Ulysses Sharp, commander of Pacific forces, established the "Purple Dragon" team to determine how enemy forces were able to obtain information on military operations.

The team realized the need to vary tactics and procedures to decrease an enemy's ability to make educated predictions based on the knowledge of routines.

After the team produced its report, it recommended and coined the term "Operations Security."

In today's conflicts, the need to maintain operations security is as vital to the mission as it has ever been, said Tech. Sgt. Brad Snyder, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing OPSEC program manager.

"Carelessness with information on the phone, through e-mail or tossing what may seem to be harmless unclassified paperwork away, may contribute to an enemy's knowledge base," added Sergeant Snyder. "One small, seemingly insignificant piece of information could potentially connect the dots and release sensitive information to our adversaries."
Currently, the 379th AEW enforces a 100-percent shred policy, as well as the Air Force-wide ban on USB devices and 24/7 monitoring of phone and e-mail transactions, ensuring servicemembers are not releasing sensitive information.

Air Force Central Command's forward OPSEC manager for the area of responsibility, Tech. Sgt. Chris Spurling said, that information superiority is a vital component to current operations.

"The more we know and the less our enemy's do, the better off we are," he said.

OPSEC reminders can be found all over base, added Sergeant Spurling.

Every time servicemembers at this non-disclosed Southwest Asia location log on to their computers an OPSEC reminder is there to greet them.

A series of slides have been created that pop up every time someone starts a computer networked to the 379th AEW's computer network, pointing out OPSEC tidbits such as reminders varying from OPSEC anecdotes to facts on current base policies.

However, maintaining good OPSEC extends beyond the 10 seconds each slide is viewed by servicemembers. Each unit has someone specifically assigned to ensuring their co-workers develop good OPSEC habits and maintain OPSEC awareness.

"OPSEC managers have the responsibility of increasing awareness on information security," said Sergeant Snyder. "Through posters, flyers and e-mail reminders, we help the unit maintain a posture on OPSEC that helps eliminate carelessness with unclass(ified information) that can lead to violations."

There is a proper way to dispose of everything, he added. When a uniform becomes unfit to wear, there are disposal units around the base. Airmen should sanitize all rank, name and patches, cut the uniforms up, and dispose of them in proper disposal areas.

Another issue plaguing security forces investigators, and OPSEC and security managers, has been the amount of items left in clothing when servicemembers turn laundry in to cleaning facilities.

"We had someone leave their entire wallet in a uniform pocket and turn it in to the laundry facility," said Stacie White, 379th ESFS lead criminal investigator. "I recommend cancelling all credit cards and setting up a fraud alert as soon as possible. Even if, eventually, the wallet is returned, you're better off being safe than sorry."

She also said people have left common access cards, line badges, secure building badges, passports, orders, items with bank account information, and items with social security numbers on them in their laundry.

"I recommend doing a thorough search of all your pockets before turning in any clothes to the laundry facility," she added. "If you amass a collection of debit and EagleCash card receipts, save them and shred them all at once, don't just throw them away."

OPSEC has a continued importance to military operations, and good awareness remains vital to mission success.

"In the long run, something that may seem as insignificant as not shredding a mailing label while deployed could have huge consequences," said Sergeant Spurling. "Through that small piece of information, an adversary could potentially blackmail your wife, and in turn put stress on you, hurting operations.

"Take OPSEC seriously," he added. "It's easy to be careless with 'for official use only' or unclassified information. It's a piece of a puzzle, and if we give them those pieces, they could put it together."