Sept. 18, 2009
Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS) Far East field office has started a public information campaign to get the word out about (up to) $500,000 in reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person who commits or conspires to commit espionage. According to NCIS Intelligence Analyst Jon Jenkerson, the program is designed to make the public aware that spies are among us and that espionage is a real and dangerous threat. “Our goal is really simple,” said Jenkerson. “We want to get out the message to the DoD (Department of Defense) community here in Japan, specifically Yokosuka, that there are foreign intelligence services targeting Department of the Navy personnel who work on these bases…we want to get the word out about the threat they pose to service members and their families while they are here in Japan.” NCIS, who has exclusive investigative jurisdiction in non-combat matters involving espionage and subversive activities, hopes the campaign will help teach the public about how to spot suspicious activity that may actually be espionage. “Spying in real life isn’t like you see in the movies,” said Jenkerson. “Most individuals don’t realize they are being targeted by foreign intelligence services. These [foreign intelligence officers] are professionals. They are very well trained. They know what they’re doing and they’re not going to make it known to you, it’s not their goal, to have you understand who they are working for and what they are trying to do.” Family and guests of Sailors stationed aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) observe an air power demonstration from the ship’s flight deck during a Family and Guest cruise Sept. 5 . U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Jeffrey Stewart maintenance and upkeep period before beginning its fall deployment. The ship returned to its port of Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan on Sept. 3, after completing its inaugural summer deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. While spotting a spy is not easy, NCIS believes there are a number of simple indicators that Sailors, civilians, contractors and family members can be on the look out for. A few indicators include unexplained wealth or affluence, bringing classified information home with them, committing multiple security violations, not reporting repeated contact with a foreign national, unreported foreign travel or exhibiting strange behaviors such as working at odd hours, should be reported to NCIS. However, intentionally passing information to foreign intelligence services is a more rare form of espionage than accidentally passing information. Foreign intelligence services may target an individual at a bar or restaurant and ask informal questions. Simple questions from people, whom you believe to be fellow patrons, may be combined with other information to create a detailed account of a project, workplace or other subject that is sensitive in nature. For this reason, practicing operational security, or OPSEC, in all situations is the first defense against espionage. “OPSEC is not just something you have to go through training for once a year, it’s something that is very important for the ability of the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps to do their job and do it effectively.” If you believe an individual may be committing espionage or you were asked inappropriate probing questions, NCIS would like to hear from you. You can contact them at navyspy@ncis.navy.mil or by telephone at 090-6174-5634. For more information about the reward contact your local NCIS office.