Yesterday my wife had to represent her agency at a career fair at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. I grew up around and later served in the Air Force so I volunteered to drive so I could check out nearby Whiteman AFB. I missed being around an active military base since most of them I am close to now have been closed for some time and was feeling a bit nostalgic.

I figured the best way to see the base would be to jog around it. I began my run on a highway that leads around the perimeter of the base. Most bases I had been to growing up as an Air Force “brat” and later as an enlisted member were completely fenced off so I knew I couldn’t get on base anyway. Being very familiar with security procedures (at least pre 9/11 ones) I figured this would keep me at a safe distance and avoid seeing anything that might be classified. I also like to take pictures from my runs and afterwards share them online. I figured from my vantage point any pictures from my Blackberry would not capture any sensitive information. Surely I wouldn’t cause any trouble, right?

Wrong. I had taken a couple scenic pictures (nothing close up) mainly overlooking the “residential” part of the base (shopping area combined with base housing which was MUCH nicer than the bases I lived on) and of the extravagant front gate during my run. I was careful to make sure I didn’t catch any military equipment or personnel in my pictures. I intended to later upload the pictures when I finished my jog. Little did I know that at the same time I was being reported as a security threat.

I found out soon enough though. I was nearing the end of my run when a military police vehicle performed a quick U-turn on the highway and stopped right in front of me. A couple of military policeman stepped out of the car…one was smiling but the other wasn’t. A minute later a pitch black Dodge Charger pulled up behind them (turned out it was the County Sheriff). The sheriff wasn’t smiling either. I initially thought those gentlemen were mad at me for being able to run farther than they can.

That’s when they began questioning me about why I was running around the base and if I took any pictures. Further into the interrogation, er conversation, I learned that taking pictures ANYWHERE near a military base is now taboo – even if you are on a highly traveled highway. I immediately complied with their request to delete the pictures I had taken and actually had a nice conversation with them. One of them had just previously been stationed at a base I was at when I left the service. Even while almost being arrested for nothing more than being nostalgic I still had a good time. Those airman did their job well.

However, the incident brings up some questions. While I could certainly understand if I was taking close up shots of hangars or of planes why get so uptight about a picture of the front gate? And if you are trying to hide its location why make it so extravagant? My guess is that they don’t want taxpayers guessing how much of their money was spent on it.

Also, why pick on me with my Blackberry cell phone when you can already get a far more detailed view of the base from Google Maps – that is how I found the base in the first place. In just a few seconds of reviewing the satellite images I had way more information about the place than I could have gathered on my run.

In the end though I am not angry about the incident. Whatever it takes to keep our soldiers safe here and abroad is fine with me. I’m sure several will think I should’ve known better but I never thought I would appear to be the least bit threatening…especially while jogging. The incident sure does make for a funny story though:)

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