Office of Special Investigations

1948 - OSI Established
OSI, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, was established in 1948. It reports to the Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Its responsibilities include investigating crimes and counterintelligence.

Click HERE for the official OSI web site.


OSI Badge and Shield
(USAF photo)

OSI's Mission Statement: Identify, exploit and neutralize criminal, terrorist and intelligence threats to the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense and U.S. Government.

1950s - Front de la Libération Nationale
A Front de la Libération Nationale (FLN) terrorist attempted to buy machine guns and pistols from an Airman near Ramstein Air Base, Germany. OSI worked with French and German police to capture him.


Background: OSI agent
Left: Airman who turned in terrorist
Right: FLN terrorist
(USAF photo)

1980s - Baader Meinhof / Red Army
OSI worked in the 1980s to confront terrorists in Europe. Below is a German police wanted poster for Red Army Faction terrorists (Baader Meinhof gang) wanted for bombings and murders in Germany.


German Police Wanted Poster
(USAF photo)

1982 - Training at Bolling AFB
~summary of story by Frank Taylor, Maxwell AFB Dispatch
OSI Agents started attending the USAF Special Investigations Academy at Bolling AFB. After completing the 12-week course covering law, crime scene investigation, and interviewing techniques, Special Agents are assigned to an OSI Base Investigative Detachment, within an OSI District.


Maxwell AFB Dispatch Article on OSI Training - 1982
L-R: AFOSI Special Agents Greg Topping and Martin Edwards
(clipping courtesy of Martin Edwards)

2000s - Eagle Eyes
The "Eagle Eyes" program is an Air Force anti-terrorism initiative led by OSI. It enlists Air Force members and civilians in the war on terror. Click HERE for more information.


Eagle Eyes Program Logo
(USAF photo)

You Have the Right to Remain Silent

"You have the right to remain silent...". For those of us who grew up watching shows like "Dragnet", "Adam 12", and "Cops", we'll recall the reading of Miranda rights to suspects. Bill McCue located, and Steve Branyon scanned, the following items that many of us carried during our duties.
CLICK ON EACH TO SEE A LARGE VIEW


5th Amendment Rights - Civilians
(via Bill McCue, scanned by Steve Branyon)


UCMJ Article 31 Rights - Military
(via Bill McCue, scanned by Steve Branyon)


MACE™ card
(scanned by Philip "J.P." Brown)

AP and SP 10-series codes from 1957 and 1976.
The two sets of 10-series are markedly different. Not sure why the big change from 1957 to 1976.


AP 10-series codes ~ 1957
(photo used with permission from 814thcds.com - Alan Hayes)


SP 10-series codes ~ 1976
(via Bill McCue, scanned by Steve Branyon)


SP Phonetic Alphabet
(via Bill McCue, scanned by Steve Branyon)


SP General Orders
(via Bill McCue, scanned by Steve Branyon)


Vehicle Search Card
(via Bill McCue, scanned by Steve Branyon)


SP Desk Blotter sample - 1975
(USAF SP Handbook, scanned by Philip "J.P." Brown)