AFVA team evaluates MAFB Published Aug. 5, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Cory Smith 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The U.S. Air Force Vulnerability Assessment Team is conducting a week-long Air Force Vulnerability Assessment of Minot Air Force Base here, Aug. 3 - 7. "The purpose of the Air Force Vulnerability Assessments is to assist commanders in protecting the base and the mission," said P.J. Pallotta, 5th Bomb Wing antiterrorism officer. "These assessments are conducted every three years." The AFVA team will assess vulnerabilities to an attack against an installation and identify areas of improvement to withstand, mitigate, or deter acts of violence and terrorism. These assessments are focused primarily on protecting people. The VA team will conduct a subjective, limited-scope review of the installation's Antiterrorism (AT) Program by assessing the required five AT Program elements: Risk Management, Planning, Training and Exercises, Resource Application, and Program Review, all of which are laid out in instructions from the Department of Defense. The assessment team reviews many aspects of the base's security measures. "The assessment team inspects six different areas of importance: communication, emergency management, infrastructure engineering, structural engineering, security operations, and terrorist operations," Pallotta said. The benefits the assessment provides the base include vulnerability-based analysis of personnel and mission essential assets, and information that is susceptible to terrorist threats. "Vulnerability assessments are an essential component of the AT risk management process, which is applied in all aspects of the AT program implementation and planning," said Pallotta. "These assessments will result in a safer base," said Tim Allen, 91st Missile Wing antiterrorism officer. "Once the assessment is complete, the base can take the input and use it to improve their programs and to help train their people." Major Shaun Salyars vulnerability team chief said "The intent of the program is to make a weak program strong and a strong program outstanding."