Alert employees honored after taking action during suspicious encounter

Published Jan. 31, 2012
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker lucked out. A recent incident which could have resulted in tragedy and disaster was averted through a mix of vigilance and chance. 76th Maintenance Wing senior leaders praised the efforts of those involved.

The event began with an individual who entered Bldg. 9001 carrying a bag with suspicious items. But, before something disastrous happened, he suffered an alleged Diabetes attack. Several 551st Commodities Maintenance Squadron personnel came to his aid but after realizing the situation had more questions than answers, they called for additional help. While the man's identity and intentions remain mysterious, officials said the commodities maintenance personnel's actions were spot-on target and deserving of recognition.

"Not only did the team do an outstanding job being vigilant for suspicious activity, they recognized the offender was in dire need on medical attention and took appropriate action," said Col. Mike Christian, 76th Commodities Maintenance Group commander. "Here is another great example of what we can achieve with our 'wingman culture.'"

Business had been relatively normal on Nov. 23. Bldg. 9001's second shift was nearing the end of their day, talking about their next day Thanksgiving plans when an individual near the east end of the building cried out for help. He attracted the attention of a passing sheet metal mechanic in the 551st CMMXS KC-135 Flaps Shop who was on his way outside for fresh air.

Jackie Nguyen returned to his work area and told fellow sheet metal mechanic and first responder Bob Roesler of his encounter, describing what he saw and heard.

Noticing Mr. Nguyen was visibly shaken by the man's stern words, Mr. Roesler said he returned to the site with Mr. Nguyen and a can of soda. Nearby, they found the man - overweight and older with silver-white hair wearing a jacket, khaki shorts, Diabetic socks and house shoes. Mr. Roesler said he handed the man the soda and asked where he worked and his supervisor's name. His answers, although polite, were incoherent.

"I'm thankful Jackie had enough sense to get help," Mr. Roesler said. "If it hadn't been for Jackie, he might still be wandering around."

Mr. Roesler said he told Mr. Nguyen to tell Pat James, the shop's alternate work leader, to call Ray Martinez, WS-10 first line supervisor at the 551st CMMXS KC-135 Flight Controls Unit, the next person in the chain of command and incident point-of-contact for swing shift. Mr. Martinez called 911. In the meantime, Mr. Roesler called Allen Strange, WS-10 first line supervisor at the 551st CMMXS KC-135 Tab and Miscellaneous Shop, and asked him to call an ambulance and the 72nd Security Forces Squadron.

Ms. James and Mr. Nguyen returned to the scene and shortly thereafter, the police, ambulance and fire department arrived. As the soda settled into the man's system and he began feeling better, his answers became more informational and bothersome.

Terry Ford, Tinker Fire and Emergency Services chief, said when an engine crew arrived on scene, the individual gave information leading to an investigation of a box he brought into the facility, as well as his vehicle.

"It had some of the markers of a suspicious package and the things we tell people to be aware of like oily residue," Chief Ford said. "We found some shotgun shells and containers in the vehicle that was cause for suspicion ... while it didn't seem to be a tremendous threat, we took precautions and called the Oklahoma City Bomb Squad."

Chief Ford said the box was not associated with the intruder and the vehicle posed no harm to the base, but Tinker's Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 114 further dealt with the matter.

Additionally, Mr. Roesler said Mr. Nguyen remembered seeing a bag that the man mentioned. When Mr. Roesler, Mr. Strange and a policeman looked inside the bag, they found Ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer, which can be used for bomb making.

The man became confrontational with fire and police officials, as well as Mr. Strange. Soon thereafter, the building was cleared. Mr. Roesler, Mr. Martinez and Mr. Strange helped evacuate the building.

While little had been said in the month leading up to the impromptu recognition ceremony on Dec. 21, those involved knew their roles were important.

"Anything can happen at any time, even here at Tinker," said Mr. Martinez. "We all have a duty to all who work here to remain vigilant because it does not happen on its own. We need to take ownership of our base and protect all who work here."

Col. Cedric George, 76th Maintenance Wing commander, agreed.

"If we see something that is dumb, dangerous or different from our normal day to day operations, then we must say something," he said. "I'm extremely proud of these outstanding employees. They are heroes in my books, because they saw something and reacted immediately to safeguard our people, equipment and facilities."