Spangdahlem Air Base first active base to test integrated security forces system

by 1st Lt. Kathleen Polesnak
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/23/2010 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- Spangdahlem Air Base is the testing site for the Joint Force Protection Advanced Security System, an integrated system that marries old and new technology with the intention to make monitoring security and responding to emergencies more efficient.

"JFPASS is a force protection system that fuses, automates and integrates dissimilar technology into a common operational picture," said Joe Fagan, the JFPASS operational manager. "One of the major attributes is it's tailorable, scalable and adjustable to the environment and situation."

The technology, which includes various sensors, cameras, robots and software, was demonstrated to leaders from the 52nd Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, European Command and NATO. The demonstration included a simulated, controlled force protection scenario and a display of equipment and technology.

Spangdahlem Air Base is the first and only operational Department of Defense installation that has tested this system. It was developed and first used in a controlled environment at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Spangdahlem AB fit the bill as a testing site because of its overseas location, robust mission and medium size, Mr. Fagan said. Spangdahlem AB was first outfitted with equipment in January.

"Our goal is to integrate (JFPASS) with the existing force protection system at a base," Mr. Fagan said. "When you come to an existing base, you have to work with the existing technology and respond to typical day-to-day activity within the normal tempo of the base."

Essentially, the JFPASS team needed security forces Airmen to try out the gadgets and technology on their own to identify possible glitches and gains.

That's why cameras were tuned accordingly to only display activity in particular areas at particular times. Natural, regular motion, such as daytime vehicle traffic and a nocturnal family of foxes, caused motion-detecting and heat-detecting camera pictures to appear more like tennis matches, pinging back and forth between subjects.

"If controllers always see motion, they may start to ignore it," Mr. Fagan said.

The biggest change for 52nd Security Forces Squadron members using the system was the reversal of roles between internal controllers and external patrollers. Controllers typically received information from the patrollers; JFPASS reversed the process by having controllers feed patrollers information.

"As the testing progressed, security forces (Airmen) got more comfortable with it, both the operators and the Airmen in the field," Mr. Fagan said. "The learning curve went up after a few days."

Security forces Airmen provided feedback to JFPASS members on the usage of the equipment and system, which some have used for a few weeks and others a few months.

Several security forces Airmen said they appreciated the cameras and the additional capability they provide, while others disliked the patrol and control swap that occurred.

"Instead of being an active patrol, we turn into a reactive patrol," said Staff Sgt. Kristopher McIntosh, a 52nd SFS controller.

JFPASS will remain here for about another six months for extended use testing, whereby security forces Airmen will continue providing feedback on the usability of the system.

Overall, the JFPASS team said the wing's support was crucial to its ability to accurately assess the system and its capabilities here.

"The hardest thing for any tech demo is there's a constant rotation of people," Mr. Fagan said. "We've been very fortunate to have help from everyone here, including security forces, civil engineers, force support for lodging and the list goes on."