thedrifter
05-10-07, 07:52 AM
May 10, 2007 - 12:00AM
N.J. incident underscores area Marine security watch at Lejeune and New River
CHRISSY VICK
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Local military officials say security is of the utmost importance — underscored by the arrest in New Jersey this week of six foreign-born Muslims accused of plotting a terror attack at Fort Dix.
And officials say they’re doing everything they can to ensure Camp Lejeune and the New River Air Station remain secure strongholds.
“The Fort Dix incident should serve as a reminder to everybody of the diligence it involves protecting this base,” said Maj. Nat Fahy, Camp Lejeune spokesman. “Every commander is taking a look at this incident and trying to figure out ways of tightening security and looking at the vulnerabilities.’’
Camp Lejeune officials have taken a number of steps recently to step up security, including restricting access to N.C. 172 to those with a Department of Defense decal. They have also tightened security at access points around the base.
“We have a system of checks and balances,” Fahy said. “When a person brings their driver’s license, insurance and registration to get a temporary pass, they get checked with a routine background check.”
That includes employees of local companies — in the terror plot, a New Jersey pizza deliveryman is suspected of using his job to scout Fort Dix. Fahy said each delivery person must stop at the main gate visitor’s center and show the appropriate identification to receive a visitor’s pass for the day.
“It helps us monitor who’s coming on and off base,” Fahy said. “This is a national asset we’re protecting and it deserves our best. There isn’t anything we haven’t considered, including water access.”
The Coast Guard, Military Police and Jacksonville Police Department regularly patrol the waters of the New River around the base, officials said.
Similar steps are taken at the air station, as force protection procedures are always a priority, officials said.
“We are vigilant because we know our installation can become a potential target for terrorism, criminal activity or any other security violation at any time,” spokesman Cpl. Brandon Gale said. “Our force protection plan incorporates operational, physical security and personal security/awareness to help reduce the threat to our Air Station community.”
The air station works closely with civilian law enforcement and emergency management agencies. They also hold random vehicle searches and I.D. checks, while keeping strict entry procedures at the gate and within the air station.
All local officials encouraged the public to get involved in keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.
“It is extremely important that all members in the community take an active part in our homeland defense,” Fahy said. “If they see something out of the ordinary, they should tell someone.”
The base’s Antiterrorism Division, which falls within Camp Lejeune’s Installation Security Safety Department, is responsible for the annual antiterrorism awareness and training for the military and civilian workforce aboard Camp Lejeune.
“Prevention and mitigation are the cornerstones of the installation’s Mission Assurance Program — to protect personnel, property and critical infrastructure,” said Jeffrey Strohman, Antiterrorism Division training manager.
The division, initiated in March 2003, developed the “Eagle Eyes” awareness program in 2004 to inform people how to report suspicious or possible terrorist activity.
And local residents can participate.
“With every terrorist attack, which includes domestic terrorism and eco-terrorism, there are always pre-planning and surveillance operations,” Strohman said. “Based on facts, the best and easiest time to prevent a terrorist attack is during this planning and surveillance portion of a terrorist attack.”
Individuals aboard or around the base can exercise “surveillance detection skills” by keeping an eye out for any suspicious activities including people taking detailed notes or making drawings, using video cameras or cell phones as cameras and looking at maps and using binoculars near military installations, he said.
Other suspicious activities include individuals probing access and security postures, acquiring large quantities of chemicals and fertilizers and stockpiling weapons and ammunition, Strohman said.
Anyone who spots suspicious or terrorist activity can call the Eagle Eyes hotline at 451-3333 or 911. Antiterrorism training can be requested by contacting Strohman at 451-9353.
Contact staff writer Chrissy Vick at cvick@freedomenc.com or by calling 353-1171, ext. 8466.
Ellie
N.J. incident underscores area Marine security watch at Lejeune and New River
CHRISSY VICK
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Local military officials say security is of the utmost importance — underscored by the arrest in New Jersey this week of six foreign-born Muslims accused of plotting a terror attack at Fort Dix.
And officials say they’re doing everything they can to ensure Camp Lejeune and the New River Air Station remain secure strongholds.
“The Fort Dix incident should serve as a reminder to everybody of the diligence it involves protecting this base,” said Maj. Nat Fahy, Camp Lejeune spokesman. “Every commander is taking a look at this incident and trying to figure out ways of tightening security and looking at the vulnerabilities.’’
Camp Lejeune officials have taken a number of steps recently to step up security, including restricting access to N.C. 172 to those with a Department of Defense decal. They have also tightened security at access points around the base.
“We have a system of checks and balances,” Fahy said. “When a person brings their driver’s license, insurance and registration to get a temporary pass, they get checked with a routine background check.”
That includes employees of local companies — in the terror plot, a New Jersey pizza deliveryman is suspected of using his job to scout Fort Dix. Fahy said each delivery person must stop at the main gate visitor’s center and show the appropriate identification to receive a visitor’s pass for the day.
“It helps us monitor who’s coming on and off base,” Fahy said. “This is a national asset we’re protecting and it deserves our best. There isn’t anything we haven’t considered, including water access.”
The Coast Guard, Military Police and Jacksonville Police Department regularly patrol the waters of the New River around the base, officials said.
Similar steps are taken at the air station, as force protection procedures are always a priority, officials said.
“We are vigilant because we know our installation can become a potential target for terrorism, criminal activity or any other security violation at any time,” spokesman Cpl. Brandon Gale said. “Our force protection plan incorporates operational, physical security and personal security/awareness to help reduce the threat to our Air Station community.”
The air station works closely with civilian law enforcement and emergency management agencies. They also hold random vehicle searches and I.D. checks, while keeping strict entry procedures at the gate and within the air station.
All local officials encouraged the public to get involved in keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.
“It is extremely important that all members in the community take an active part in our homeland defense,” Fahy said. “If they see something out of the ordinary, they should tell someone.”
The base’s Antiterrorism Division, which falls within Camp Lejeune’s Installation Security Safety Department, is responsible for the annual antiterrorism awareness and training for the military and civilian workforce aboard Camp Lejeune.
“Prevention and mitigation are the cornerstones of the installation’s Mission Assurance Program — to protect personnel, property and critical infrastructure,” said Jeffrey Strohman, Antiterrorism Division training manager.
The division, initiated in March 2003, developed the “Eagle Eyes” awareness program in 2004 to inform people how to report suspicious or possible terrorist activity.
And local residents can participate.
“With every terrorist attack, which includes domestic terrorism and eco-terrorism, there are always pre-planning and surveillance operations,” Strohman said. “Based on facts, the best and easiest time to prevent a terrorist attack is during this planning and surveillance portion of a terrorist attack.”
Individuals aboard or around the base can exercise “surveillance detection skills” by keeping an eye out for any suspicious activities including people taking detailed notes or making drawings, using video cameras or cell phones as cameras and looking at maps and using binoculars near military installations, he said.
Other suspicious activities include individuals probing access and security postures, acquiring large quantities of chemicals and fertilizers and stockpiling weapons and ammunition, Strohman said.
Anyone who spots suspicious or terrorist activity can call the Eagle Eyes hotline at 451-3333 or 911. Antiterrorism training can be requested by contacting Strohman at 451-9353.
Contact staff writer Chrissy Vick at cvick@freedomenc.com or by calling 353-1171, ext. 8466.
Ellie