MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Upon first driving onto Misawa Air Base, it quickly becomes evident that parking is limited at many facilities. When marked spaces are full, the temptation to park as close as possible -- such as in loading zones or handicap spaces -- is often hard to resist. Worse yet, some facilities are converting designed standoff zones into additional parking; however, parking in those areas risks more than just a ticket.
After the tragedies of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983 and Khobar Towers in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, in 1996, efforts have been made to improve protection of facilities and people. Of all the methods used to reduce the devastating effects of improvised explosives on military structures, the cheapest and most effective is distance from the threat or standoff zone, said Jim Fogerty, 35th Fighter Wing antiterrorism officer.
Many buildings on Misawa Air Base were constructed prior to the Department of Defense standards regulating standoff distance. However, newer buildings on base and those that have received major renovations were designed with parking at the minimum standoff distance allowed.
During elevated force protection measures, workers in older buildings are required to move their vehicles, said Mr. Fogerty, who was awarded this year as the best antiterrorism program manager in the Air Force. However, no one should have to move away from newer buildings because the standoff zones are included.
Standoff does not just apply to increases in force protection, added Mr. Fogerty, a Bloomfield, Conn. native. It is a DoD standard regardless of threat level, and Misawa Air Base is adapting to follow it. However, all personnel need to continue to preserve standoff zones where they have been established.
"Although inconvenient, people need to understand; standoff is designed to detect a threat," said Mr. Fogerty. "Many people think Misawa Air Base is low threat, but Japan is actually moderate."
A well maintained standoff zone will be vacant of unauthorized, unapproved and unknown vehicles, making it easier to identify a suspicious vehicle, added Mr. Fogerty. However, the safety and security of a building is greatly reduced if the zone is not enforced.
"We're trying to be prepared for an improbable event," said Mr. Fogerty. "For many, it may be hard to take seriously, be we need to remember it was eight years between the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Our enemies are smart; they take their time and look for weaknesses to exploit. Time is on their side as we tend to let our guard down over time."
However improbable a terrorist attack on Misawa Air Base may be, the base must remain committed to reducing the threat and potential damage and loss of life, said Mr. Fogerty. Base personnel are responsible for remaining vigilant and not becoming complacent.