Sharper focus - Edwards security is part of everyone's job description Published Sept. 28, 2011 By Diane Betzler staff writer EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Although Edwards has always been considered a safe place to live and work, Team Edwards has sharpened its focus to stay a step ahead of the evolving threats to security in the world today. "We've made several changes on how we deal with security here," said Maj. Gregory C. Jarmusz Jr., 95th Security Forces Squadron acting commander. Officials don't consider Edwards to be high on the list of terrorist targets; however, ensuring the base remains secure is high on the list of priorities at Edwards - and security practices here remain tight. "We've been working with different base agencies to form a more cohesive security posture," Jarmusz said. That improved posture has resulted in improvements in hardscape, particularly at the gates, and additional state-of-the-art security equipment to support what's already here. Perhaps the most important improvement, however, is the increased emphasis and effectiveness of the human factor. The Air Force has come to recognize that everyone on base - servicemembers, civilians, contractors, everyone - needs to become more security conscious. Everyone needs to be alert and report anything that looks suspicious, Jarmusz said. "Security Forces has added electronic surveillances, but there's no better sensor out there than a person," Jarmusz said. Base personnel are being trained in many aspects of security, including how to identify suspicious mail and how to handle active-shooter situations. "Everyone is being made aware of their security responsibilities," Jarmusz said. If anyone is in doubt about whether a deserted car or a lone package left somewhere is suspicious, call Security Forces. If something looks out of place, call Security Forces, Jarmusz said. "I would rather get 10 calls on nothing than not get any calls on something we should know about," Jarmusz said. The civilians and military personnel who work on the flightline, for example, are the people who will most likely be the first to detect anything wrong in their areas, so they need to be aware and report any suspicious activity they see, Jarmusz said. "And so the owner/user aspect to controlled areas came about." That means the unit that is responsible for a particular building or area is also responsible for security in that area. These responsibilities include ensuring all escort requirements are met, that all proper security measures are in place and if they have an alarm system, they are responsible to see to it that the system functions properly. "We do all the monitoring, but it's up to the security manager to make sure the alarms work," Jarmusz said. The 95th SFS has worked hard to increase both coordination and training with unit security managers. The units have accepted this task, become more involved and play a strong role in their various areas of responsibility, Jarmusz said. This has become an effective force multiplier, and units have stepped up their efforts in policing their own controlled areas, he said. In addition, Security Forces on base have strengthened their ties to off-base law enforcement agencies. "We have a far better integration with our law enforcement partners these days," Jarmusz said. "Civilian infractions are turned over to local law enforcements and law-breaking issues committed by military personnel are handled by their military chain of command," he said. Other added security measures include the reconstruction of the entryways at all three base gates. "The S turns are designed to slow vehicles down and we have a new state-of-the-art barrier system," Jarmusz said. Additionally, each gate entrance is equipped with a license plate reader. Every commercial or large vehicle coming on base is searched at the gate. Base security also conducts random car searches. The Air Force stopped issuing car decals because they mark the car as a Department of Defense vehicle. "We changed to a hands-on identification check," Jarmusz said. "We do our own additional closed-circuit camera monitoring at the gates and flightline 24 hours a day and seven days a week," he added. Jarmusz stressed the bottom line is for everyone on base to stay alert. "We are far and away a harder target than we were even a couple of years ago," he said. Jarmusz said. "No technology, no amount of redesigning will be able to supplement a person observing something that's out of place." If people see something suspicious they should immediately call the Emergency Control Center at 277-3340, 3341 or 3343, Jarmusz said.