Since its inception in April 2002, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations “Eagle Eyes” program has counted on people to help protect Air Force members and resources in their communities. The program has brought in more than 5,000 tips from around the world, says the Air Force. Eagle Eyes encourages people to recognize the following activities as potential indicators of possible terror attacks and report them to authorities:
Surveillance — Recording or monitoring activities, including the use of still or video cameras, taking notes, drawing diagrams, annotating maps, or using binoculars or other vision-enhancing devices.
Elicitation by mail, fax, telephone or in person to gain information about military operations.
Tests of security to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers or procedures in order to assess strengths and weaknesses.
Acquiring supplies such as explosives, weapons, ammunition, military uniforms, decals, flight manuals, passes or badges (or the equipment to manufacture such items) or other controlled items.
Suspicious persons who don’t seem to belong in the workplace, neighborhood, business establishment or other locations, to include suspicious border crossings and stowaways aboard ship or people jumping ship in port.
Rehearsals — Putting people into position and moving them around according to a plan without actually committing the terrorist act. This can include planning a kidnapping or a bombing, or mapping out routes and determining the timing of traffic lights and flow.
Asset deployments — People and supplies getting into position to commit the act. This is a spectator’s last chance to alert authorities before the terrorist act occurs.