Aviano Antiterrorism Program garners DoD recognition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 31st Fighter Wing garnered top honors in the 2008 Department of Defense Antiterrorism Awards Program recently, taking home the title "Best AT Program (Installation)."

The 31st Fighter Wing AT program incorporates the work of several base offices including the wing AT Office, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 531, the 31st Operations Support Squadron intelligence office, the 31st Security Forces Squadron and the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron.

"It's nice to be recognized at the DoD-level," said Bill Trevino, 31st Fighter Wing AT officer and program manager. "Everyone involved in the Aviano AT program works hard and this type of recognition just makes all that hard work worthwhile."

Aviano's AT and force protection program, which was first recognized at the USAFE and U.S. European Command levels earlier this year, directly contributed to the security of $4.5 billion in resources spread over more than 1,300 acres in seven separate areas; as well as a military population of more than 8,200 people living off base in the surrounding cities.

"Antiterrorism and force protection measures should always be at the forefront, especially in a significant threat-level country," said Mr. Trevino. "There is no graduation day to security. Threats are always evolving and we're constantly seeking program improvements."

Packages for this year's DoD AT competition had to demonstrate a well-rounded program by focusing on seven different areas including major antiterrorism program achievements, significant highlights, innovative actions, extraordinary training efforts, awareness management, force protection condition management and effective intelligence programs.

Two of the Aviano AT program's major achievements this past year include its secure internet protocol Share Point program model, of which USAFE adopted, enabling data and report sharing between all USAFE AT offices; as well as executing a local vulnerability assessment in which the ATO reviewed more than 500 benchmark items and identified and assessed seven vulnerabilities and concerns.

The Aviano AT Program was also recognized by USAFE during its annual program review at which time USAFE identified five "best practices" for the base's random antiterrorism measures program execution, daily reviews of the security forces blotters for suspicious activity, emergency reporting cards of off-base residents, toxic industrial chemicals and materials assessment and newcomers training and briefings.

AFOSI Detachment 531 was also named the best counterintelligence team in USAFE for 2007, competing against more than 20 other teams.

"We (AFOSI Detachment 531) are very excited about being a part of the team that led to this DoD-level award," said Special Agent Nate Notargiacomo. "We have accomplished some amazing things over the past year and it's rewarding to see our efforts validated at such a high level."

"The relationship between all wing organizations that make up the primary force protection team is the best I've ever seen," he said. "Everyone on the team consistently goes above and beyond to cross flow information, share requirements and make sure any potential shortfalls are covered."

Some of the Aviano AT program's more innovative actions during the award period include creating force protection condition Charlie transition limiting factors document which was adopted by USAFE to identify key obstacles, limiting factors and reporting procedures; designing host nation 911 emergency notification cards; and creating and publishing family member force protection tri-folds.

The 31st CES base comprehensive plan also garnered "best" recognition for its attention to antiterrorism, force protection and environmental consideration by the American Planning Association Federal Division.

On the training side of the AT program, the Aviano office was recognized for training more than 1,300 newcomers in 2007, which is done on a weekly basis and is open to spouses. The office also hosted two AT Level II courses that trained more than 65 unit ATOs and AT Working Group members.

In an effort to expand AT awareness on base, AFOSI Detachment 531 also met regularly with host nation law enforcement authorities to share information and collaborate on inquires as well as trained 60 DoDDS bus drivers and school bus attendants on potential threats and AT/FP measures.

The AT office was also noted for distributing State Department and local travel advisories to base members including information on mass transportation strikes and announced protests against U.S. forces and bases while the Aviano Antiterrorism Working Group provided direct feedback to senior leaders on crime trends and areas where statistics revealed an increase in crime.

In the force protection condition management aspect of the base AT program, members were praised for effectively executing and tracking more than 3,200 random antiterrorism measures throughout the year and maintaining a strong force protection posture.

The intelligence side of the program was also lauded by USAFE during its program review for its support from its Threat Working Group and Antiterrorism Working Group to its force protection plans for deployed forces and priority intelligence requirements documentation.

"Our entire AT/FP team from Lt. Col. Craig Hess, the Antiterrorism Working Group chairman, to our Intel, OSI and SFS teammates has demonstrated exceptional skills and tenacity," said Mr. Trevino. "Our three-tiered award speaks highly of our team's working relationship and focus on enhancing the security environment for the 31st Fighter Wing."