Force Protection Common Operational Picture/Common Tactical Picture

Abstract

Abstract : William J. Perry, Secretary of Defense, in his Report to the President and Congress on the Protection of U. S. Forces Deployed Abroad on 15 September 1996 said: ...the Kilobar Towers attack should be seen as a watershed event pointing the way to a radically new mindset and dramatic changes in the way we protect our forces deployed overseas from this growing threat. In response to this attack and the growing potential for more attacks by terrorists, irregular forces, and disenchanted employees against its bases and facilities and personnel, the Air Force has taken an integrated approach to Force Protection. There is a recognition that Force Protection is not a Security Police operation; but is a Security Force operation. This exemplifies a mindset change and a movement away from pure law enforcement and stovepipe operations to an integrated Security Force for Force Protection. This is evidenced by the formation last year of the 820th Security Forces Group (SFG) with its mix of security force, office of special investigations (OSI), intelligence, medical, communications, civil engineering, and logistics and supply personnel and the Force Protection Battlelab with a similar mix of personnel. The Air Staff now has a Security Force directorate (SAF/SF) and the Security Forces Center has been established at Lackland AFB, TX.