Is it okay to post base information online?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 21:41:56 -0400

Specifically, I'd like to update information on an online map (Waze) with the base building numbers and/or some of the facilities. It would be very nice to actually be able to use modern tools to find your way around, but I have some doubts about the appropriateness. Would this be an OPSEC issue? Or not, since the information isn't that hard to dig up?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 9:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 21:46:02 -0400

I'd say let your base IT department do it. That way, if something goes wrong, it's not on you. That's an OPSEC issue.

Response by SMSgt John Clifford made Aug 31 at 2015 9:49 PM

SMSgt John Clifford — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 21:49:18 -0400

Think OPSEC.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Aug 31 at 2015 9:49 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 21:49:47 -0400

Often base information is published in public maps by the base itself. These are created for incoming service members and families and have unlimited distribution rights. So I would check to see if those are available, or even posted online by the base. If the maps with building numbers are posted for the public online, I don't see the harm in making use of them.

If buildings are not posted in a public map by the military however, there is probably a reason for it, and those should not be made available to others.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 31 at 2015 9:51 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 21:51:36 -0400

Unless the base is already providing it publicly, I would say no way.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 10:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 22:01:10 -0400

Go to the visitors center and ask for one of their visitors maps. That would be the most you could post publicly. I'd still speak with the PMO and ask them if its OK. There is a reason why most GPS (not crowd sourced) don't have accurate or up to date GPS data for military bases.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Aug 31 at 2015 10:24 PM

PFC Tuan Trang — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 22:24:06 -0400

I don't know but i prob think it best not to due to opsec(correct me if i'm wrong).

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 1 at 2015 1:34 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 01:34:34 -0400

No good can come of it. We had good comments but you must realize that public publications are just that; for public consumption. Never add anything to it. If others want it, direct them to the owner/provider. I've been on bases that purposely publishes things missing, misnumbered, misnamed, stuff there that isn't, etc. Sometimes there aren't roads shown for a reason. You don't want to show security routs in the "areas". You don't want to put "Attack Here" stuff out either. Add to that that you don't have the authority to publish anything on behalf of the base unless it's your job to do so and all the vetting has occurred. Good way to get into serious trouble.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 1 at 2015 2:31 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 02:31:07 -0400

Great Query and most definitely a challenge to tell. You would be amazed what an Opponent will find useful. I took a course in Traffic Analysis (Communications). Now everybody is bitching about it. I think they call it "Bulk Collection".

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 1 at 2015 11:01 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 11:01:52 -0400

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member I would run that up COC before doing it. In my SFS opinion, it is an OPSEC issue. I do not want for the enemy to be able to go to google maps and plot their direct route to a specific bldg. (Not that the information is that hard to find, but why give it to them on silver platter?)

Response by TSgt Ryan Lee made Sep 1 at 2015 3:31 PM

TSgt Ryan Lee — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 15:31:10 -0400

If your base does not have it yet, most bases have GUI maps loaded onto the AF Portal. This is published by the CES squadron. You can zoon in to see all building #'s that are on the installation. Making your own map and publishing it outside of a .mil network may result in OPSEC violation. I know on the maps they publish and give to visitors at the visitor's center do not reference every building on the installation for "OPSEC" reasons. Hope this helps, if you need to find a base map, let me know and I can see if it is posted or let you know where to get it on the Portal.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 1 at 2015 7:08 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 19:08:20 -0400

Probably not the best idea. I know I received an actual map print out when I arrived here at Whiteman. At the bottom of the print out it had a message saying to shred or burn when no longer needed. It's one thing to have just a basic unlabeled map with the roads visible but when you are talking building numbers and what the building is then your getting into the more sensitive info that the general public....or certain other groups....just don't need to be able to access.