IVA teams ‘leave no stone unturned’ during base assessment Published Dec. 2, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Thomas Dow Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A team of subject matter experts from the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing here conducted a week-long Installation Vulnerability Assessment Nov. 17 to 21. According to P.J. Pallotta, 5th BW antiterrorism officer and IVA co-team chief, all Department of Defense components are required to assess the anti-terrorism programs of their assigned forces and installations annually. One of the ways this was accomplished is through the IVA. "IVAs provide a way to identify vulnerabilities and to provide commanders with recommendations on how to eliminate or minimize the risk of terrorist activity," said Mr. Pallotta. The IVA was a "vulnerability-based" evaluation of the base's ability to deter and/or respond to a terrorist incident. The assessments included recommendations for improving the base's posture and mitigating attacks. The assessment considered both the current threats and the capabilities that may be employed by terrorists. According Mr. Pallotta, the teams were made up of subject matter experts who looked at several key areas during the assessment. Each focused on their area of specialty during the assessment. "Having SMEs from all aspects of the base populace helps identify processes, procedures and resources that may be lacking," said Mr. Pallotta. "The end result of leaving these unchecked is the possibility of the base being vulnerable in some way. Identifying areas that may need improvement only increases the security of resources and personnel working at Minot AFB." The areas looked at by the teams ranged from assessing the installation's threat assessment process to assessing crisis management planning. Everything having to do with the safety and security of the base was scrutinized during the week-long assessment. "Installation Vulnerability Assessments are essential to the safety and security of the base," said Col. Joel Westa, 5th BW commander. "A key component of the IVA's success is the teams who are out doing the inspections. Without their expertise and hard work, the assessments would not have been the success they were." The IVA is now in the final stage, which is collecting the information submitted by the teams and making final assessments. "The take-away from the IVAs is it will help make the base as safe as possible," said Tim Allen, 91st Missile Wing antiterrorism officer and IVA co-team chief. "Once the assessment is complete, base organizations can take the input and use it to improve their programs and to help train their people." For more information on the IVA, contact the 5th BW anti-terrorism office at 723-2465.