FPCON ALPHA still in effect - don’t let your guard down

  • Published
  • By Kent Cummins
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Members of the Goodfellow team wrapped up another successful "exercise week" Oct. 15 chock full of scenarios to help prepare personnel to respond to emergencies and increase the ability for the 17th Training Wing to assess itself.

The exercise also served as an important reminder that since Sept. 11, 2001, military installations around the globe have operated at a heightened state of security.

Force Protection Conditions, or FPCONs, are security measures that have been implemented by the Defense Department to standardize the military's methods of identifying and responding to threats to personnel and facilities.

The "normal" day-to-day operations posture at Goodfellow and other military installations since 9/11 has been FPCON ALPHA. FPCON ALPHA applies when there is an increased general threat of possible terrorist activity against personnel or facilities.

Terrorist attacks across the globe continue and no one knows who, when or where the next tragedy will occur. So, the threat remains.

Goodfellow's threat countermeasures include a wide spectrum of activities across the installation, including controlled access to the base and base facilities as well as increased scrutiny of unknown individuals, suspicious packages or objects, and more.

One of the most important "countermeasures" is the people who live or work here.

"We all are force protectors," said Maj. James Masoner, 17th Security Forces Squadron Commander. "Be diligent every day, not just during exercises. If something or someone looks out of place, they probably are and should be reported immediately. "

Goodfellow's chief of antiterrorism/force protection and critical infrastructure agrees.

"All of us at Goodfellow need to have a sense of urgency and a keen awareness when it comes to protecting our people and resources," said Randy Hunt. "This is not just for leadership and first responders ... everybody needs to remain alert and security conscious of their surroundings daily."

We must remember that FPCON ALPHA is still in effect and even though it has become our normal, routine way of doing business, we can't let your guard down, Mr. Hunt explained.

"It is a matter of life or death," he added.

Goodfellow members should report any suspicious activity to the Law Enforcement Desk at (325) 654-3504/3505 or dial 911 for emergencies.

FORCE PROTECTION CONDITIONS

FPCON NORMAL: This condition applies when a general global threat of possible terrorist activity exists and warrants a routine security posture.

FPCON ALPHA: This condition applies when there is an increased general threat of possible terrorist activity against personnel or facilities.

FPCON BRAVO: This condition applies when an increased or more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists.

FPCON CHARLIE: This condition applies when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely.

FPCON DELTA: Applies in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that terrorist action against a specific location or person is imminent.