Before You Go: OSI foreign travel briefing and what you should know

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  For many, foreign travel involves the usual steps such as planning the trip, making reservations and packing luggage. However, with global threats constantly evolving, service members have the added responsibility of being vigilant and protecting sensitive information crucial to the mission while avoiding potential personal harm.

Prior to foreign travel, it is a requirement that service members attend a travel briefing where they can receive information on counter-intelligence, force protection, anti-terrorism and what to do in case of emergencies on foreign soil.

“We offer foreign travel briefings on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. at the Air Force Office of Special Investigations building located at 805 Luke Avenue,” said Jonathan Hicks, AFOSI Detachment 812 special agent. “Anyone going on any kind of foreign travel including permanent change of station, cruises, temporary duty or vacation must attend the briefing.”

The Briefing provides service members with crucial knowledge needed while on foreign soil.

“During the briefing we discuss current security trends, and the things we want people to watch for while they’re out and about,” Hicks said. “We also inform travelers on what situations we want them to report when they come back, if anything reportable does happen.”

All service members must attend the briefing prior to departing.

“This requirement exists because global threat levels are continuously changing,” Hicks said. “While computer based training provides some of the information we share, it also lacks up-to-date information on current threats around the globe. By making the briefing a requirement we can send our people out there with the most current information fresh in their minds.”

Service members are also briefed on the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and its benefits.

“STEP is a program that allows travelers to register their travel plans with the U.S. Department of State,” Hicks said. “The program sends users contact information for their nearest U.S. Embassy while notifying the U.S. embassies of American citizens within their areas. Another added benefit to the program is that it notifies users of suspected terrorist threats in their area, based on up-to-date intelligence.”

Participants highlight the importance of information received during the briefing.

“I’ve never seen a foreign brief as extensive as this one,” said James Hunsicker, Air Force Global Strike Command deputy chief bomber requirements. “Based on the information we have and what we do professionally it’s important to detect the type of questions people ask while trying to collect information. Having this information given to us right before a trip keeps relevant, making it easier to detect when someone is trying to approach you fishing for information.”

Service members are reminded to keep alert since information gathering could happen at all times to anyone, anywhere.

“I believe the information provided in the briefing applies to more than foreign travel,” Hunsicker said. “People are just as likely to be approached by somebody here in the U.S. as they would be in a foreign place. Whether in the local area or overseas, being informed is what allows us to be vigilant all times.”

Service members traveling overseas must notify proper channels prior to departure.

“International travel without attending the foreign travel briefing is not authorized,” Hicks said. “Members who fail to report their trip to AFOSI or their security managers could potently lose their clearances.

For more information on foreign travel briefing or to report suspicious activity contact the AFOSI Detachment 812 at 318-456-3881.