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Show HILL TOP TIMES Page 10 May 8, 1981 jj tllllllltitill Vandals damaged and cut electronic ware bundles, seats and soundproofing in this oidiwidysjls eoirr protect rsyr the Federal Bureau of Investigation laboratories in Early in the morning of Sept. 8, 1980, maintenance people of Detachment 4, 40th Air Rescue Washington, D.C., were used to scientifically and Recovery Squadron here, discovered extensive examine evidence found during a search of the vandalism to their five helicopters and one building. HH-5Interviews and evidence acquired by OSI agents helicopter assigned to the 6514 Test and a positive identification of a fingerprint here Squadron. taken from a damaged helicopter led agents to a All six helicopters were located in the large hangar town. After "more evaluation and small comof building 1. The damage consisted of cut munication and electronic wire bundles, seats and interviews, a subject was identified and the insoundproofing slashed, punctures and scratches to vestigation closed. The matter is currently being reviewed by both the Air Force Staff Judge Adairframes, and miscellaneous broken and damaged equipment. The estimated cost to the Air Force and vocate's office and the U.S. Attorney's office pending formal charges against the subject. eventually the taxpayer was over $5,000. The actual cost of the damage goes far beyond the Demonstrates vulnerability $5,000 in parts required to return the helicopters to This incident here and the recent bombings of operational status. The five helicopters assigned to in Puerto Rico demonstrate the vulnerability aircraft Det. 4 are utilized in search and rescue operations of Air Force resources and property. All resources of throughout the Intermountain West. the Air Force are critical to a national defense Unable to perform mission mission. Whether it be an aircraft totally destroyed of With all five helicopters grounded the members by terrorists or a single map light stolen from a rescue helicopter the resources and property of the Det. 4 were unable to perform their primary mission. The $5,000 in damage does not include the cost in Air Force are all critical when the ability of the Air manhours required by maintenance people to Force to perform its mission are affected. Whetever the motivation remove, repair and replace the parts damaged by greed, frustration, the end result is the same: a vandalism. political terrorism Responding to the hangar on that morning, agents weakening of our national defense posture and a loss of resources bought with tax dollars. of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations initiated an investigation that eventually involved Although such acts of vandalism and terrorism are more dramatic, the destruction and loss of far agents throughout the United States. During the search for the individual responsible for government property through such acts is a relatively the damaged helicopters hundreds of interviews were small part of the overall drain on Air Force resourconducted and numerous items of evidence ces. Fraud, waste and abuse of Air Force resources Air Force members and examined. The facilities and forensic specialists of of and property, usually-bC1H-1- N 3 mid-wester- n y helicopter located in building 1 last September. (U.S. Air Force Photo) (IH-1- N civilian employees, contribute to a multi-billiodollar loss to the American national defense budget. n Force Regilations and 124-- provide a of standard code conduct for government employees and require that all Air Force members, military and civilian, assume personal responsibility for the protection of Air Force resources and property. Air 30-3- 0 8 The regulations require that any person having knowledge of any acts of fraud, waste or abuse of government resources report the incident to the OSI. The OSI is trained and equipped to investigate matters involving Air Force resources from simple theft of government property to major contract fraud; from vandalism and intentional damage of property to sabotage; from conflicts of interest to espionage. But the front line in any attempt to protect Air Force resources is the individual member or civilian employee. Must maintain ethics Only through individuals maintaining regulations and the code of ethics for government employees can any significant attempt be made to curb diversion, waste and abuse of precious Air Force resources and property. One of the purposes of PACER PROTECT is to make people aware of the vulnerability of government resources. Each member and civilian employee shares in the total responsibility to protect all Air Force resources and property. Only through an individual awareness and personal commitment to the regulations can the Air Force use available resources and provide the greatest return .for every, tax dollar. -- |