In the online threat to American military personnel, the Islamic State has called on its members and sympathizers in the United States to kill 100 service members whose names, photos and purported addresses it posted on a website.
A statement released Monday morning by the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office confirms a New York Times report claiming crew members from the 2nd Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base are among the names on the list.
“The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is coordinating with appropriate federal and local authorities on this matter. We have taken the appropriate steps to make sure that everyone impacted has been notified. As always, force protection is a primary concern. As such, we are encouraging all Airmen to ensure privacy settings on online/social media forums are adjusted to limit the amount of available personal information. As it relates to personal social media accounts, we are encouraging personnel to remove personal details such as physical addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.
“As always, vigilance and force protection considerations remain a priority for commanders and their personnel worldwide. A strong emphasis is always placed on ensuring the appropriate OPSEC and force protection training occurs and procedures are in place.”
The Pentagon has notified U.S. military members to check their online footprint, making sure privacy settings are adjusted to limit the amount of available personal information. The Department of Defense and the FBI are aware of this list and are investigating the matter.
General Peyton Cole who was once head of the 8th Air Force at Barksdale sees the threat as an indicator of where the war on terror is heading.
“I think it certainly is confirmation that the war has certainly come home to the US and I hope and pray to God that we don’t have some kind of terrible tragedy here,” said General Cole.
The 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs at BAFB released the following statement:
The Air Force is cooperating fully with the DOD on this matter. We will take the appropriate steps to make sure that everyone who needs to know is notified. As always, force protection is a primary concern.
While the information was released by an ISIS hacking division, it is unclear if there was any hacking at all. The information may have been pulled from social media outlets.
That’s why members of the military are being asked to adjust their settings to online profiles.
“We’ve always heard that the price of peace is eternal vigilance, and we’ve got to be vigilant”, said General Cole.
Click here to read more in the New York Times article.
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