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)

Vehicles: Trucks, Sedans, Jeeps

1957 - Chevrolet Classic

1957 Chevrolet Classic used by Armed Forces Police in D.C. (A1C (E-4) John W. Cook in front)
(photo courtesy of John W. Cook)

1962 - Plymouth Fury

1962 Plymouth Fury used by Armed Forces Police in D.C. (A1C (E-4) John W. Cook in front)
(photo courtesy of John W. Cook)

1960s ~ Cadillac Gage "Commando" APC

Cadillac Gage "Commando" armored personnel carrier 4x4 amphibious vehicle used in Vietnam (Wikipedia article)
(USAF photo)

1960s ~ AMC Jeep

AMC Jeep used in Vietnam by the 821st A Flight Heavy Weapons Phan Rang AB 1968
Photo courtesy: Jim Sly
(used with permission of Gary Jones, 822nd CSPS, Safeside Association Webmaster)

1967 - Dodge 500 "six pack" truck

1967 ~ Dodge 500 (?), Goose Bay AB, Labrador
(photo courtesy of Dave Wagner)

1960s ~ 1970s Chevrolet Suburban

• No picture available of the Chevrolet Suburban used by the 3800th SPS


• Affectionately known as the "War Wagon"


• Had room for about 8-10 SPs, plus equipment


• The manual transmission had something like 3 low gears, 2 mid, and 2 high, plus 3 reverse gears

1970s ~ Chevrolet panel van

1970s Chevrolet panel van used by Maxwell AFB E.S.T. ~ 1978
Standing: Mike Esquibel, Bill McCue, Steve Branyon, Martin McSween, Charlie Beck
Kneeling: Charles Aldridge, Doug Little, Chuck Drake, SrA (first name unknown) Sawyer
Not pictured: Larry Eaton
(photo by Larry Eaton, courtesy of Chuck Drake)

1975 - Ford F-150

1975 Ford F-150 used at Maxwell AFB
(photo by Philip "J.P." Brown)

1976 - AMC wagon

1976 AMC wagon used at Maxwell AFB
(photo by Philip "J.P." Brown)

1978 - Plymouth Volaré

1978 Plymouth Volaré used at Maxwell AFB (Steve Branyon in front)
(photo by Philip "J.P." Brown)

1978 - Plymouth Volaré

1978 Plymouth Volaré used at Maxwell AFB (Philip "J.P." Brown in door well)
(photo by Steve Branyon)

1982 - Ford sedan

1982 Ford Crown Vic used at Maxwell AFB (Charles J. Beck in front)
(photo by unknown)

1987 - Plymouth Reliant K Car

1987 Plymouth Reliant K Car at Gunter AFS (A1C Aaris Hill in front)
(photo courtesy of Charles "Dave" Catholdi)

1990s ~ Humvee

Humvee used during Desert Storm, Mirage AB, U.A.E. ~ 1990-91
(photo courtesy of Charles "Dave" Catholdi)

2000s ~ Humvee

Humvee used in Iraq ~ 2000s
(USAF photo)

2007 ~ 2009 Chevrolet Impala

2007 ~ 2009 Chevrolet Impalas
Randall Calderon, Sr, DOD cop, Fort Dix, NJ, and
A1C Alexander McPeake, 87th SFS, McGuire AFB, NJ
(USAF photo)

2009 - M-ATV

2009 M-ATV
Mine-resistant ambush-protected All-Terrain Vehicle
This vehicle is the successor to the up-armored Humvee
(USAF photo by SrA Felicia Juenke)

Even in Boats

OSI Agents training with the Essex Police Tactical Boat Unit in England
(USAF photo)

2009 - Also in U.S. Army Helicopters

Training Mission - 2009
532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Quick Reaction Force
U.S. Army "C" Company, 1-137th Aviation Regiment
Joint Base Balad, Iraq
(USAF photo)