Neighborhood Sensor Program to begin at MAFB

  • Published
  • Minot Air Force Base Antiterrorism Office
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Minot AFB Antiterrorism (AT) office is gearing up for a campaign to educate base residents on their role in helping to protect the installation and its resources from terrorist activity.

Everyone living and working on a Department of Defense installation has the responsibility of being vigilant and reporting activity suspicious in nature. The Minot AFB AT office implemented the Neighborhood Sensor Program to assist residents with understanding what to look for when assessing a possible threat. The program specifically targets those who live along or close to the base perimeter, in an effort to maximize overall force protection.

Beginning Sept. 16, volunteers will be going door to door to explain the Neighborhood Sensor Program and provide residents with informational brochures outlining the measures they can take to help keep Minot AFB secure.

The base has over five miles of perimeter adjacent to base housing. Along this perimeter there are no walking paths or a perimeter road covering the length of the fence line. This creates certain security concerns.

"This is why it is so important to enlist the assistance of our housing residents to act as force multipliers," said PJ Pallotta, 5th Bomb Wing antiterrorism officer. "They ensure the base is alert to detect suspicious persons and activities."

Residents can expect to receive information including:
· Unclassified threats to the installation.
· Methods of entry by those groups or organizations that would attempt illegal entry.
· Training on recognizing and reporting suspicious activity.
· Deterrence methodologies.
· Additional actions during increased FPCONs.

Although similar to the AFOSI Eagle Eyes program, the Neighborhood Sensor Program progresses in that it targets certain personnel and provides specific information to ensure residents are aware of their unique location and are capable of detecting and reporting suspicious activity.

"Our goal is to train and provide our residents the tools to better identify possible threats to our installation," said Tim Allen, 91st Missile Wing antiterrorism officer. "They will not only be better suited to provide early detection but will also eliminate a long standing security concern along the perimeter."

For more information about the Neighborhood Sensor Program, contact the MAFB AT Office at 723-2465 or 723-6628.