Base adjusts waterway proposal based on citizens' feedback Published Jan. 21, 2014 By Ashley M. Wright 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A plan to allow base officials to enact a temporary restriction of no more than 500 feet from a threatened area of Tyndall's shoreline received changes due to feedback from the public at a December 2013 town hall meeting. "We really took into account all the suggestions from community," said Lt. Col. Julie Rutherford, 325th Fighter Wing Staff Judge Advocate, "and decided to introduce a revision into the proposal." The proposal now clarifies that in the event of an implementation of a temporary restricted area the Tyndall Threat Working Group would re-convene at least every 48 hours to assess if the threat diminished enough to still warrant a restriction. The TWG is a team of experts consisting of anti-terrorism, security forces and other base officials that provide recommendations to the wing commander regarding security concerns for the 23,000 active duty, civilian, retiree and dependent personnel that use the base and the more than 60 aircraft that will call the base home in the upcoming months. "Tyndall is dedicated to the safety of our personnel and assets," said Col. Christopher D. Holmes, 325th Mission Support Group commander. "The base is in an unique situation with our beautiful natural resources and great recreational locations. As we move forward with this proposal, we will balance that security need with the lifestyle that makes Bay County such a wonderful place to live, work and play." Two classified security assessments conducted at Tyndall AFB identified a "major concern" regarding the 129 miles of coastline surrounding the base. That identification prompted base officials to develop a plan for mitigating threats to that coastline. In the event of a security threat to the installation that involves the coastline, the proposal allows base officials the ability, if necessary, to enact a temporary restriction in the threatened area of the coastline. The restriction could extend a maximum of 500 feet from the shore, but could be scaled back as the threat dictated. The plan's temporary restrictions mirror those already utilized during 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group sub-scale aerial target launches. "This plan is completely threat driven," said Maj. Anthony McCarty, 325th Security Forces Squadron commander. "Should a threat arise, that Tyndall TWG would work with local law enforcement agencies. The group would take a look at that threat, analyze it and decide the best mitigating actions to reduce that threat. If the best mitigating actions were a temporary restriction of that threatened area, they would present this to the wing commander and reconvene at least every two days to ensure this action is still needed. " During the restriction, all persons, military and civilian, will be asked to leave the affected water area, but a person can request authorization to stay in the threatened area. "Day to day nothing would change, and we hope to never enact any part of the plan," McCarty said. "However, if someone's business or livelihood was affected by this temporary restriction, in accordance with the proposal, they may petition the wing commander to be allowed in the area. These requests will be handled on a case by case basis and balanced against the safety of all parties including our neighbors in Bay County during the threat." More than 110 people attended the last town hall, which provided base leaders the opportunity to address questions and concerns. The base will continue to inform the public of the proposal. Tyndall officials will be seeking to resubmit the proposal to the Army COE in the first quarter of 2014. After which, the plan will be resubmitted on the Army's website for another round of public comment. The next town hall is scheduled for Jan. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mexico Beach Civic Center. To view the most current draft after the proposal, click here.