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386th ESFS garners DoD antiterrorism award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  For the fifth year running, the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron was named the Department of Defense Best Antiterrorism Program for a deployed unit.

The Antiterrorism Recognition Program was established by the assistant secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict in 1993 to recognize personal and organizational efforts aimed at protecting DoD personnel and installations, sensitizing U.S. military and their families to the nature and dangers of terrorism, and deterring and preventing terrorist acts.

"This was truly a wing effort," said Capt. Tony Short, the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing antiterrorism officer. "To accomplish this mission, it's a team effort that relies on every member of the wing."

The 386th ESFS along with the AT office worked diligently throughout the past year to ensure all members of the Rock were safe from attack. Throughout the award period, some major accomplishments included upgrading the vehicle search area and implementing the Defense Biometric Identification System, a force protection and identity management program to manage personnel, property and installation access.

"We built and continuously build our defensive plan to reduce the chance of terrorist attack," said Captain Short. "These initiatives are one more way to accomplish that."

Protecting against attack is a daily process and takes every member of the 386th AEW to ensure the program is a success. Unit anti terrorism monitors played a big role in that.

"The unit representatives are our eyes and ears of every unit," said Master Sgt. Raymond Marsh, 386th AEW AT office NCOIC. "It's their vigilance and education that helps us. We can't be everywhere at once."

All base members can do their part in combating terrorism by reporting the loss, theft or damage of mission support resources to the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. All suspicious activities by individuals or groups can reported via the Eagle Eyes hotline.

"If people don't report incidents and issues the program is ineffective," said Captain Short. "Every person helps this program succeed."