QUANTICO, Va. -- As global tensions rise and threats to military personnel and installations evolve, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) is calling on all Airmen, Guardians, civilian employees and family members to report suspicious activity.
Through the Eagle Eyes program, AFOSI empowers communities to recognize early warning signs of potential threats and take action before violence occurs.
"We all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe," said Lt. Col. Brad Hoffman, associate director, AFOSI Center - Threat Response Division. "Eagle Eyes gives every Airman, Guardian, civilian, and family member the tools to spot suspicious activity and help prevent potential threats before they happen."
The call for awareness follows recent successful U.S. military operations abroad, which neutralized specific threats and reinforced the importance of force protection and proactive security measures at home.
As those threats continue to evolve, AFOSI leaders are reminding the community that suspicious activity isn’t always obvious, but certain behaviors can signal that something’s not right.
And with tensions fluctuating worldwide, the risk of opportunistic attacks remains. According to Hoffman, identifying unusual behavior early is critical to protecting personnel and installations.
This is where the Eagle Eyes program comes in.
The initiative teaches individuals how to spot behaviors often linked to the early planning stages of terrorist, foreign intelligence or criminal activity and known as pre-attack indicators.
These behaviors can include surveillance of facilities, attempts to gather sensitive information, testing security measures, acquiring restricted supplies, or noticing individuals who seem out of place in controlled areas.
Also, officials encourage everyone to stay vigilant for other suspicious activities that may indicate planning or preparation for a threat. One example is receiving suspicious or threatening phone calls.
In these situations, it’s important to document the caller’s name (if known), phone number, and any concerning details that were shared.
Surveillance activities are another red flag, Hoffman said. This can include someone recording, taking notes, drawing maps, or using binoculars or other vision-enhancing devices to observe facilities or personnel.
According to Hoffman, elicitation attempts are when individuals or organizations try to gather sensitive information about military operations or personnel, either in person or through other means. Even casual conversations can sometimes be used to probe for details.
Testing security is another known tactic, he said. This may involve deliberately triggering small security breaches to observe response times or attempting to bypass physical barriers.
More red flags include if someone is trying to buy or steal items like weapons, explosives, uniforms, vehicle decals, or military IDs, that’s a red flag and could mean they’re preparing to cause harm.
In addition, individuals who seem out of place, ask unnecessary questions, or linger near controlled areas such as base perimeters should be reported. Even seemingly harmless behaviors may warrant a closer look.
More advanced behaviors include so-called dry runs, Hoffman said, where individuals rehearse movements or operational steps without carrying out an actual attack.
Finally, sometimes individuals deploy assets, like placing personnel or equipment into position, is often the last step before an attack occurs, making timely reporting absolutely critical.
When reporting, officials recommend providing as much detail as possible to aid investigators.
To help individuals provide useful and detailed reports, officials recommend using the SALUTE method. This simple tool ensures that key information is captured:
S – Size: How many individuals are involved?
A – Activity: What are they doing?
L – Location: Where did you observe the activity?
U – Uniform/Unit: What are they wearing? Do they have identifying markings, uniforms, or badges?
T – Time: When did you see the activity? Date and time are important.
E – Equipment: Did you notice any vehicles, tools, bags, or other items that stood out?
"We can't afford to overlook the warning signs," Hoffman said. "Your report could be the difference between prevention and tragedy. If you see something, say something -- it matters."
Tips can also be submitted online at www.osi.af.mil/Submit-a-tip/. In the event of an emergency or immediate threat, individuals are urged to contact 911.
AFOSI works in close coordination with federal, state, local and international law enforcement and counterintelligence partners to investigate reports and respond to potential threats. Officials stress that even seemingly minor details can prove significant during an investigation.
Related links
Eagle Eyes program urges people to say something if they see something
Everyone reminded “If You See Something, Say Something” about suspicious behavior
Eagle Eyes: Information