OSI Finds More Than 'Bad Guys'

[stormy]

<span style='font-size:11pt;line-height:100%'>OSI Finds More Than 'Bad Guys'</span>
by Airman 1st Class Yvonne Conde
Air Force News
July 1, 2003


LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- They are commonly perceived as undercover agents in black hats and trench coats, but the agents of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 410 here are capable of much more than investigating the &quot;bad guys&quot; on base.

Special agents also maintain close liaisons with local authorities to ensure the protection of Air Force people and operations, said Tim Peterson, special agent in charge.

&quot;We work with just about every agency out there,&quot; he said. &quot;All federal, state and local agencies, including the border patrol, the sheriff's department and city police department because, a lot of times, the things that affect the Del Rio (Texas) community can affect the installation and (vice versa).&quot;

With the Mexican border nearby, Border Patrol officers and OSI agents often call on each other for support, he said. (http://www.military.com/NewsContent?file=usa f2_070103&ESRC=dod.nl)

[Der Alte]

Glad to see my old outfit in the news. Its very seldom to see anything about their operations. Way back in 1964 the OSI was selected as the best of all the federal investigative agencies. I was glad to see that the writer said that &quot;Generally, OSI cases take 90 days&quot; - I have had cases that ran a year or more. It isn't unusual for narcotics and counterintelligence cases to run quite long. I was also glad to see that they were aiding the Border Patrol, even if it was only to provide someone that spoke Portugese.

[stormy]

Thanks, DA--I found that in the military news-they seem to carry stories that you don't see other places sometimes and, even if they're on the same subject as some of the other papers carry them, they may have a different slant on them.

And, it appears this was just one incident--it does say they work with all the different agencies, so I suppose it could be more intensive than just a translator.

So, that's the outfit you worked for--is that what you did all those years overseas, also ?? I'm sure it would be interesting to us all to hear more about what you did if you can tell it. I know I would!!

Stormy

[Der Alte]

Yes, Stormy, thats what I did and it was the most interesting job one could have. The OSI is one fantastic organization. I worked with all the other Federal Agencies, including the FBI, Secret Service, CIA, Postal Inspector and all of the other military investigative agencies. We also worked with all of the state and local agencies. The investigations ran the gamut of crimes - homocide, fraud against the government, theft, sex crimes, assaults, breaking and entering, robbery, and counterintelligence operations against the Soviet Bloc. We would also augment the Secret Service in the protection of the President and Vice President. It was a long time ago but I assisted in the protection of Pres. Johnson and VP Humphrey. Humphrey was on tour in Europe and we assisted in his protection while in Holland. Probably the most interesting was the counterintelligence work - the Russians, East Germans and Bulgarians were quite active in Europe. If you are interested in that type of thing you should read the book Topaz which covers the communist infiltration of the French government. Even though it was quite some time ago, I would not feel comfortable discussing details of any specific investigation - can only say you were on call 24/7 on there was never a dull moment. Here in the states I covered the Vietnam protests and the riots at Ohio State University and Kent State. If I were young and healthy, I would want to do it all over again.

[stormy]

Thanks, DA, for sharing that with me--I can only speak for myself, but I love hearing personal recollections of time served. I had 7 brothers and 6 of them have been in the military.

One of the older ones was in the army and never went overseas--not sure if that was because he had a child or they had something different in mind for him. One was a male nurse in the army. My oldest full-brother was a pilot during WW2 and flew 100 missions over Japan--worst injury he had I think was a broken thumb. He alway said he felt a lot safer in a plane than on the highway. Then, after the war, he taught some-young men how to fly jets during the Korean war and then worked at helicopter bases as a civilian. Guess he was the smart one in the family--he wrote a manual for the AF on &quot;The Mechanics of the Helicopter&quot;. His last job was working with the awax program for several years. He loved his work.

Two were in the navy-one only served a few months and the other one was on an aircraft carrier! The baby was in the AF--believe he was a tail gunner in B-52s for most of his career.

But, I know I'm enjoying hearing about your work and I wish others would come in here and share with us, as well!! I can tell you liked your work from the way you talk about it w/o you even saying how much you liked it!

Stormy