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OSI protects Airmen in Afghanistan

by Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
AIr Forces Cental Command combat camera team

4/19/2010 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- Airmen with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Expeditionary Det. 2405 identify and neutralize targets to keep coalition forces and Afghan citizens safe.

OSI agents, intelligence analysts, tactical-security elements and information managers at EDet. 2405 conducted counterintelligence and counterterrorism operations to capture or neutralize more than 50 insurgents threatening the Bagram Aiefield security zone.

"The Airmen assigned here are some of the best at what they do," said Lt. Col. Vasago Tilo, the detachment's commander deployed from Headquarters AFOSI at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. "We have made great strides in contributing to the protection of the people and the assets on (Bagram Airfield]) and our OSI team will continue to do what's needed to neutralize targets that threaten our operations here."

One of the keys to the detachment's success is the diverse group of Airmen and coalition forces the team coordinates with around the base. Working jointly with explosive-ordnance disposal, joint terminal attack controller, security forces Airmen, Army task forces, the Afghan government, foreign units and others; agents put intelligence products together to track down threats.

"It's great working with the OSI detachment," said Army Maj. Khot Soutimaniphannh, the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Falcon intelligence officer deployed from Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. "These guys are like (police officers) on steroids. I have seen them go outside the wire to risk their lives to protect the lives of U.S. forces. The coordination they do is above and beyond, and we have seen the fruits of their labor. These guys are at the top of their game."

"It's rewarding when the intelligence you gather leads to a successful mission," said Special Agent Dave Crawford, an AFOSI agent deployed from Tinker AFB, Okla. "Our operations tempo is tough, but when our team works together the success rate goes up."

Going outside the wire to gather information is one aspect of the OSI mission. Once the information is gathered, agents, analysts and information managers put together an average of 94 intelligence reports to show leaders what missions are needed to ensure Bagram Airfield and its assets are protected.

"Our agents do a great job of getting the information needed to give leadership an accurate picture of the battle space," said Aamil Karimi, an AFOSI counterintelligence analyst from Chicago. "We have a lot of experienced Airmen and they do an outstanding job of getting us the information we need to give leaders what they need to positively affect the area we live and work in."

One of the keys to successful information gathering is the protection provided by tactical security elements during missions that allow agents to freely gather information.

"We protect the information the agents receive during missions," said Staff Sgt. Greg Martin, an AFOSI tactical security element squad leader deployed from Shaw AFB, S.C. "Our TSEs bring an increased combat capability that allows our agents to concentrate on the counterintelligence mission."

"As long as we're here the enemy will have a problem," Colonel Tilo said. "We will continue to actively pursue and neutralize the enemy to ensure the future of the Air Force mission and the security of Afghanistan."