Drug testing can happen anytime, anywhere Published Sept. 11, 2009 By Mr. Jeffery Hikes 2d Medical Operations Squadron BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Barksdale has upped the ante in the war against drugs with Operation Nighthawk. Barksdale active-duty members were surprised Sept. 8 when they entered the gates and were given a legal order for immediate drug testing. "This testing mission, called Operation Nighthawk, serves as another weapon in the arsenal against illegal or illicit drug use," said Col. Gerald Hounchell, 2d Bomb Wing vice commander. "This operation gives the wing commander an additional tool to identify and remove drug users from the Air Force. The use of illegal or illicit drugs has proved to be a danger to the health of military members and the accomplishment of our vital mission." Operation Nighthawk is a joint effort between the 2d Security Forces Squadron, the 2d Medical Group, the Office of Special Investigations Detachment 219, the 2d BW Legal Office and the Drug Demand Reduction Office. Col. Steven Basham, 2d BW commander, has directed that random testing can occur anytime; day, night, weekends or even holidays. Instead of the traditional practice of drug testing notification only during weekday duty hours, active duty members may now be tasked upon entry at the gate to report for drug urinalysis testing. The difference between Operation Nighthawk and other testing methods is the manner in which individual are selected for testing. Rather than selecting a dorm at random or identifying a particular squadron for testing, members are selected based simply upon their entering the installation at a particular date and time. Although there is no Air Force policy mandating this particular method of random testing, the Air Force Medical Operation Agency encourages its use. "Barksdale residents can expect more Nighthawk operations in addition to random dorm and squadron testing in the future," Colonel Hounchell said. The Department of Defense mandates that the Air Force test 75 percent of the total military population and 100 percent of DoD civilians in Designated Testing Positions for drug use each year. "Under this program, active-duty ranks and age groups that statistically show higher illicit drug use are being tested at a greater frequency than the remainder of the base populace. This target group includes airman basic through senior airman and first and second lieutenants, comprised of individuals in the 18 through the 25 age category. Col. Thomas Grace, 2d Medical Group commander added, "Operational Nighthawk, dorm and unit sweeps and smart testing are salutary for Barksdale and the Air Force. Because illegal drugs are a constantly moving target, traveling from base to base, Operation Nighthawk provides a mechanism to test any military member entering the installation, regardless of their service branch, rank, squadron or housing location. Broadening the pool of individuals subject deterrent and make members wary of our intolerance to illegal substance use." An Air Force Office of Special Investigations Joint Drug Enforcement Team member, OSI Commander Melody Mitchell, has a message for those using or inclined to abuse drugs. "You can run, but you can't hide," Special Agent Mitchell said. "Our ultimate goal is to get both the user and the individual or individuals supplying the drugs, whether they are a military member or civilian." AFOSI provides drug threat information to the 2d BW Cross Functional Oversight Committee. The committee chairperson, Colonel Hounchell, channels the committee's recommendations to the the wing commander for approval. Two major interstates, I-49 and I-20 intersect in the Shreveport and Bossier City area. These thoroughfares provide drug traffickers the ability to move illegal narcotics throughout the southern sector of the United States. SA Mitchell states that as a result, illegal drugs continue to be readily available to Air Force members in the local area. Also, the sale and use of prescription drugs is on the rise. Remember that drug testing can happen anytime and anywhere. Risk takers beware; anyone may be selected for a random urinalysis test."