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Eglin Air Force Base prohibits dash cams, recording devices in vehicles

A new security policy at Eglin Air Force Base requires all vehicle recording devices to be powered off or removed before entering the installation.
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Drivers entering Eglin Air Force Base will soon be turned away if they refuse to power off or remove dash cameras and other recording devices from their vehicles.

  • The 96th Test Wing commander added the requirement to the base’s operational security policy in December. Beginning March 1, anyone who does not comply will be denied entry to the installation. The policy applies to all privately owned vehicles.

Under the new rules, owner-installed devices must be powered off and removed from view. Factory-installed or built-in cameras must be completely powered off before entering the base. Motorcycle helmet cameras must be powered off and removed from the helmet.

The policy is aimed at protecting the safety and security of personnel and assets on base, according to the announcement.

“Defending the base is my top priority, and it takes all of Team Eglin to achieve this,” said Lt. Col. Michael Bruton, 96th Security Forces Squadron commander. “Eglin’s OPSEC policy is a layer of protection for our ability to directly project national defense. It is our duty to secure our personnel and assets.”

  • “Limiting recording devices on the installation allows Eglin to deliver war winning capabilities, achieving our national objectives and ensuring strategic deterrence,” Bruton said.
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9 Responses

    1. I understand the concern, but as another poster said, what about Tesla’s. The base has a policy that allows local law enforcement on base. What about their cars with cameras. Will it be enforced with them as well. And for those who are going to say they are law enforcement, they should be exempt, my response is most people entering the base have a security clearance at a level the police don’t have so they should be exempt as well. I’ll also tell you this requirement has been written into the base supplement for traffic enforcement for many years. It appears they are now looking to enforce it.

  1. Wow. More and more of our protections are being taken away. I’m 100% for protecting the base, but we need to keep our eyes open.

    1. How are your protections being taken away? When you are on a Military base You are protected! My Dad – CMSGT Fought in the Korean War a gave 23yrs at Elgin I am FOR ALL THE PROTECTION OUR MILITARY NEEDS! YOU FORGET HOW THEY FIGHT AND PROTECT US & OUR COUNTRY (HERE & ABROAD) 24/7 365 DAYS! THEY WILL ALSO PUT THAT MIRROR ALL UNDER YOUR VEHICLE LOOK IN YOUR TRUNK LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AND LOOK INSIDE YOUR CAR BECAUSE GOD FORBID IF OUR ENEMY OR SOMEONE UNSTABLE GETS ON BASE OR TRIES TO SNEAK IN A WEAPON OF MANY KINDS THEN OUR MILITARY, VETS EMPLOYEES AND VISITORS CAN BE IN DANGER! REMEMBER WE HAVE STOLEN TOP SECRET DOCUMENTS OUT THERE!!!(GOD ONLY KNOWS WHERE)

  2. I spent 40+ years in the intelligence and security business trying to figure out how the bad guys could get our sensitive information. Based on my experience, there is virtually no threat from dash-mounted cameras. They only go where the car/truck goes and you can’t see much from the roads. The bigger (biggest?) threat is from cell phones and smart watches which both record and contain transmitters. What is unclear is whether the local commander came up with this idea or if it was directed by higher (and apparently misinformed) people.

  3. Eglin is over reaching with directives and limiting access to Eglin (actually taxpayer) property. I fully agree with E Robbeloth (see his comment). I witness unbelievable reckless driving on base and a dash camera would help with evidence if an accident occurred. Yes who is coming up with these directives.

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