Weather changes, vigilance should never waiver

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The British weather is getting warmer, and Team Mildenhall Airmen and families are spending more time out and about.

The summer typically brings more outings, but without vigilance, could also leave members more vulnerable to terrorists.

By staying vigilant and taking protective measures, Team Mildenhall families can lessen that vulnerability.

All Department of Defense personnel should incorporate applicable protective measures to their particular situation, and become harder targets for terrorists.

Terrorism is an indiscriminate act that strikes in varying forms of threats and violence, said Richard Blackledge, 100th Air Refueling Wing chief antiterrorism officer. Terrorists generate fear through intimidation, coercion and acts of violence, such as hijackings, bombings or kidnappings.

"As past and more recent events have shown, terrorists have reached new levels of organization, sophistication and violence," said Blackledge. "Their tactics and techniques are always changing and will continue to be a challenge to predict and neutralize."

Accordingly, everyone must remain diligent in applying the proper protective measures, said Errol Sanders, 100th ARW antiterrorism officer.

"DOD employees and their families are an important part of the military," said Sanders. "By practicing techniques to improve your security habits, the possibility of becoming a target will be reduced."

Defensive awareness and personal security regarding terrorism are the responsibilities of everyone assigned to the DOD, said Blackledge.

As members of the military community, DOD employees are a highly valuable, yet most vulnerable, resource. Constant awareness can help protect all members of the military family from acts of terrorism.

For more information, contact the 100th ARW antiterrorism office by emailing 100arw.ccw@mildenhall.af.mil or calling DSN 238-3127.