Phase two enhances security Published Jan. 15, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - -- Keeping everyone safe at Goodfellow Air Force Base is what the men and women of the 17th Security Forces Squadron do on a daily basis, and phase two of the campus camera project aims to make this job easier. "The campus camera project is an initiative to enhance base security here at Goodfellow Air Force Base," said Master Sgt. Rick Kawas, 17th Security Forces Squadron Installation Security Superintendent. "This really helps out the initial responders - security forces, fire department and medical assistants. We'll get eyes on, and know what's going on and have situational awareness before we get out there." Phase one of the project started November, 2010, and was completed a month later. With the completion of this phase, 11 cameras were added to the areas surrounding the gates. When phase two is completed, there will be an additional 15 cameras that focus around the base perimeter fence and high traffic areas around the base. "We are hoping to have it [campus camera] up and running by January 2013," said Kawas. "It has been an ongoing process since 2010." There is also a phase three planned when the funding becomes available, which will further increase security. "This is just going to be another step in the campus camera suite that gives us a level of security enhancement, by giving us eyes on the perimeter and on 100 percent of all the mass gathering locations, where our troops and facilities are," said David Kerry, 17th Security Forces Squadron Chief of Plans and Programs. Along with the help from the contractors, Kawas has decided where the cameras should go to make sure the cameras are situated in the best possible locations, capturing maximum exposure of the vital locations, without invading privacy. However, security forces isn't the only organization working on this project. "This is a multi-agency project, that security forces is heading up with, 17th Communication Squadron, 17th Contracting Squadron, 17th Civil Engineering Squadron, Special Security Office and the 17th Training Wing Safety Office," said Kawas. "They've really come together with us and helped out a lot. Every time I called them they were right there. They'd drop what they were doing to help out." The completion of the campus camera project can enhance the security forces focus of making this base a safer place.
