I'm beginning to think I look like a terrorist and that's why I get hassled so much.
Went to McGuire on Sunday, got there by 9am and was wandering round the static, writing down serial numbers and taking photographs. I got to the Skytypers and was writing down the regs. and noticed a couple of younger AF/ANG members watching me. As I passed them I acknowledged them and continued walking.
I then stopped by the E-3 talking to Neil Humphreys a fellow ex-pat. After we said our farewells, I took a couple of shots of the E-3. As I put my camera down I noticed a camo uniform reflecting in the LCD screen and realized that it was very close. I turned round and there's a guy stood right next to me.
He asked for my ID, so I produced my driver's license and he started scribbling details down on a scrap of paper. Then it was time for all the stupid questions-what, why, where etc.
He then asked me to go stand by the concrete barriers close to the security checkpoint near the hangar. He told me to wait and he would be back. He wandered off then got on his cellphone. After about 10 minutes he came back and wanted to know my SS# where I was born and if the address on my license was current.
I then took the opportunity to ask what I had done wrong. He replied that I had done nothing wrong, but someone had pointed me out to him and he had to check me out, because if anything happened and he hadn't checked me out then he would be asked for an explanation. I told him I understood that, but it was supposedly a public event and there were going to be more people doing the same thing all day. He again said, "you've done nothing wrong, and you will be leaving here today, but I have to do my job" He then handed me back my license and tod me to have a good day.
Now I'm sorry, but this infuriated me. If the AF/ANG don't know what someone is doing, partaking in a hobby, then it's time they were sent to Mildenhall, Lakenheath and Ramstein and shown people out there every day of the week with notebooks and cameras as part of their training.
While I don't fault the guy who questioned me, the two people that pointed me out to him, need to get with it, and stop presuming everyone is a terrorist. In case they have forgotten, this is the USA, not Iraq or Afghanistan, and last time I checked it was a free country. I think next year I will go to the Moscow Airshow and see if I get the same treatment there!
Rant over!!
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