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    Enemy threats heighten FEST-M’s situational awareness during training by Mark Abueg | (Part 1 of 5) WINCHESTER, Va. (Jan. 24, 2010) – Team members were on edge as they spotted suspicious activity along their route to a checkpoint. Three vehicles along various intersections and possible chokepoints appeared to be surveying and planning attacks on the line of vehicles. As the team arrived back to its base location, those same vehicles ambushed the team in its own parking lot yesterday evening as part of an Army training exercise in anti-terrorism. Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) began its weeklong training of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dynamics of International Terrorism Program, an Army Individual Terrorism Awareness Class (INTAC) here yesterday. The FEST-M and various Department of Defense personnel’s first day of training consisted of classes introducing them to terrorism awareness, and conducting a route analysis and surveillance detection exercise. “Instead of having them watch a video for an hour and a half, we developed a hands-on class,” said Gary Kehoe, USACE North Atlantic Division’s security chief and INTAC mastermind. The course is a reality check for individuals preparing to deploy overseas as it reminds them to stay alert to their surroundings and know how to confront certain situations in their new environment. “We kind of stand out,” Kehoe said. “If you have an obvious routine, you may want to change it up. You want to avoid being a target.” Since its conception 12-years ago, Kehoe’s instruction has evolved from being a 3-day training only for USACE employees to a 7-day course available to all DoD personnel. He explained the course was implemented originally because of the need to provide guidance to individuals going to the Middle East. “It’s a class to heighten knowledge and make people aware and provide them with some skills, put some tools in their toolbox to keep them and their friends and family and peers safe.” Yesterday’s class started with the terrorism awareness lecture intended to illustrate that terrorism is not a new phenomenon, but has been around for thousands of years. Kehoe draws similarities of terrorists to the mafia. “Get rid of one and someone takes their place because they have the support of the people,” he said.” We need to change the mindset of the people.” The second part of yesterday’s training prepared the FEST-M on how to conduct surveillance detection in a route analysis, which was instructed by Al Bigler, a course instructor contracted from BSR, Inc. along with his fellow employees playing the roles of both instructor and possible enemy threat. “Your safety depends on you,” he said. Bigler taught the team how to confirm enemy surveillance and identify where attacks may be planned on a route. “The terrorist surveillance will most likely use a combination of methods and the surveillance may be progressively aggressive,” he said. The FEST-M is participating in INTAC training in preparation for possible overseas contingency operations in the near future. This story is part one in a special report of the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M)’s Individual Terrorism Awareness Class (INTAC) training in Winchester, Virginia. Mark Abueg is the FEST-M public affairs officer.

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    Enemy threats heighten FEST-M’s situational awareness during training by Mark Abueg | (Part 1 of 5) WINCHESTER, Va. (Jan. 24, 2010) – Team members were on edge as they spotted suspicious activity along their route to a checkpoint. Three vehicles along various intersections and possible chokepoints appeared to be surveying and planning attacks on the line of vehicles. As the team arrived back to its base location, those same vehicles ambushed the team in its own parking lot yesterday evening as part of an Army training exercise in anti-terrorism. Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) began its weeklong training of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dynamics of International Terrorism Program, an Army Individual Terrorism Awareness Class (INTAC) here yesterday. The FEST-M and various Department of Defense personnel’s first day of training consisted of classes introducing them to terrorism awareness, and conducting a route analysis and surveillance detection exercise. “Instead of having them watch a video for an hour and a half, we developed a hands-on class,” said Gary Kehoe, USACE North Atlantic Division’s security chief and INTAC mastermind. The course is a reality check for individuals preparing to deploy overseas as it reminds them to stay alert to their surroundings and know how to confront certain situations in their new environment. “We kind of stand out,” Kehoe said. “If you have an obvious routine, you may want to change it up. You want to avoid being a target.” Since its conception 12-years ago, Kehoe’s instruction has evolved from being a 3-day training only for USACE employees to a 7-day course available to all DoD personnel. He explained the course was implemented originally because of the need to provide guidance to individuals going to the Middle East. “It’s a class to heighten knowledge and make people aware and provide them with some skills, put some tools in their toolbox to keep them and their friends and family and peers safe.” Yesterday’s class started with the terrorism awareness lecture intended to illustrate that terrorism is not a new phenomenon, but has been around for thousands of years. Kehoe draws similarities of terrorists to the mafia. “Get rid of one and someone takes their place because they have the support of the people,” he said.” We need to change the mindset of the people.” The second part of yesterday’s training prepared the FEST-M on how to conduct surveillance detection in a route analysis, which was instructed by Al Bigler, a course instructor contracted from BSR, Inc. along with his fellow employees playing the roles of both instructor and possible enemy threat. “Your safety depends on you,” he said. Bigler taught the team how to confirm enemy surveillance and identify where attacks may be planned on a route. “The terrorist surveillance will most likely use a combination of methods and the surveillance may be progressively aggressive,” he said. The FEST-M is participating in INTAC training in preparation for possible overseas contingency operations in the near future. This story is part one in a special report of the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M)’s Individual Terrorism Awareness Class (INTAC) training in Winchester, Virginia. Mark Abueg is the FEST-M public affairs officer.

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    Enemy Threats Heighten FEST-M's Situational Awareness During Training

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    579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M)
    Enemy threats heighten FEST-M’s situational awareness during training by Mark Abueg | (Part 1 of 5) WINCHESTER, Va. (Jan. 24, 2010) – Team members were on edge as they spotted suspicious activity along their route to a checkpoint. Three vehicles along various intersections and possible chokepoints appeared to be surveying and planning attacks on the line of vehicles. As the team arrived back to its base location, those same vehicles ambushed the team in its own parking lot yesterday evening as part of an Army training exercise in anti-terrorism. Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) began its weeklong training of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dynamics of International Terrorism Program, an Army Individual Terrorism Awareness Class (INTAC) here yesterday. The FEST-M and various Department of Defense personnel’s first day of training consisted of classes introducing them to terrorism awareness, and conducting a route analysis and surveillance detection exercise. “Instead of having them watch a video for an hour and a half, we developed a hands-on class,” said Gary Kehoe, USACE North Atlantic Division’s security chief and INTAC mastermind. The course is a reality check for individuals preparing to deploy overseas as it reminds them to stay alert to their surroundings and know how to confront certain situations in their new environment. “We kind of stand out,” Kehoe said. “If you have an obvious routine, you may want to change it up. You want to avoid being a target.” Since its conception 12-years ago, Kehoe’s instruction has evolved from being a 3-day training only for USACE employees to a 7-day course available to all DoD personnel. He explained the course was implemented originally because of the need to provide guidance to individuals going to the Middle East. “It’s a class to heighten knowledge and make people aware and provide them with some skills, put some tools in their toolbox to keep them and their friends and family and peers safe.” Yesterday’s class started with the terrorism awareness lecture intended to illustrate that terrorism is not a new phenomenon, but has been around for thousands of years. Kehoe draws similarities of terrorists to the mafia. “Get rid of one and someone takes their place because they have the support of the people,” he said.” We need to change the mindset of the people.” The second part of yesterday’s training prepared the FEST-M on how to conduct surveillance detection in a route analysis, which was instructed by Al Bigler, a course instructor contracted from BSR, Inc. along with his fellow employees playing the roles of both instructor and possible enemy threat. “Your safety depends on you,” he said. Bigler taught the team how to confirm enemy surveillance and identify where attacks may be planned on a route. “The terrorist surveillance will most likely use a combination of methods and the surveillance may be progressively aggressive,” he said. The FEST-M is participating in INTAC training in preparation for possible overseas contingency operations in the near future. This story is part one in a special report of the 579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M)’s Individual Terrorism Awareness Class (INTAC) training in Winchester, Virginia. Mark Abueg is the FEST-M public affairs officer.

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    HEADLINE NEWS

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Building Strong ®


    579th Engineer Detachment (FEST-M) Global Support

    Enemy threats heighten FEST-M’s situational awareness during training


    by Mark Abueg
    WINCHESTER, Va. (Jan. 24, 2010) – Team members were on edge as they
    spotted suspicious activity along their route to a checkpoint. Three vehicles
    along various intersections and possible chokepoints appeared to be surveying
    and planning attacks on the line of vehicles.

    As the team arrived back to its base location, those same vehicles ambushed
    the team in its own parking lot yesterday evening as part of an Army training
    exercise in anti-terrorism.
    Members of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team
    - Main) began its weeklong training of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
    Dynamics of International Terrorism Program, an Army Individual Terrorism Pat Daniel, contract specialist for the 579th Engineer
    Detachment (FEST-M), examines the visuals that are placed
    Awareness Class (INTAC) here yesterday. The FEST-M and various in the terrorism awareness classroom. (Photo by Mark
    Department of Defense personnel’s first day of training consisted of classes Abueg)

    introducing them to terrorism awareness, and conducting a route analysis and surveillance detection exercise.

    “Instead of having them watch a video for an hour and a half, we developed a hands-on class,” said Gary Kehoe,
    USACE North Atlantic Division’s security chief and INTAC mastermind.

    The course is a reality check for individuals preparing to deploy overseas as it reminds them to stay alert to their
    surroundings and know how to confront certain situations in their new environment.

    “We kind of stand out,” Kehoe said. “If you have an obvious routine, you may want to change it up. You want to
    avoid being a target.”

    Since its conception 12-years ago, Kehoe’s instruction has evolved from being a 3-day training only for USACE
    employees to a 7-day course available to all DoD personnel. He explained the course was implemented originally
    because of the need to provide guidance to individuals going to the Middle East.

    “It’s a class to heighten knowledge and make people aware and provide them with some skills, put some tools in
    their toolbox to keep them and their friends and family and peers safe.”

    Yesterday’s class started with the terrorism awareness lecture intended to illustrate that terrorism is not a new
    phenomenon, but has been around for thousands of years. Kehoe draws similarities of terrorists to the mafia.

    “Get rid of one and someone takes their place because they have the support of the people,” he said.” We need to
    change the mindset of the people.”

    The second part of yesterday’s training prepared the FEST-M on how to conduct surveillance detection in a route
    analysis, which was instructed by Al Bigler, a course instructor contracted from BSR, Inc. along with his fellow
    employees playing the roles of both instructor and possible enemy threat.

    “Your safety depends on you,” he said.

    U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – 579TH ENGINEER DETACHMENT (FEST-M)


    4155 Clay Street, Suite 120, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183-3435
    Office: (601) 631-5987 | Cell: (540) 532-7735 | E-mail: mark.b.abueg@usace.army.mil
    www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm
    ----- continued on page 2 -----

    Individual Training Awareness Class Headline News Special | Part 1 Page 2

    Bigler taught the team how to confirm enemy surveillance and identify where
    attacks may be planned on a route.

    “The terrorist surveillance will most likely use a combination of methods and
    the surveillance may be progressively aggressive,” he said.

    The FEST-M is participating in INTAC training in preparation for possible


    overseas contingency operations in the near future.

    Ocie Williams, left, and Capt. Willie Hutchinson listen as to This story is part one in a special report of the 579th Engineer Detachment
    what type of equipment is placed on the training mannequin.
    (Photo by Mark Abueg) (FEST-M)’s Individual Terrorism Awareness Class (INTAC) training in
    Winchester, Virginia. Mark Abueg is the FEST-M public affairs officer.

    U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – 579TH ENGINEER DETACHMENT (FEST-M)


    4155 Clay Street, Suite 120, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183-3435
    Office: (601) 631-5987 | Cell: (540) 532-7735 | E-mail: mark.b.abueg@usace.army.mil
    www.mvd.usace.army.mil/579festm

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