According to a disturbing report by the Military Times, the 82nd Airborne Division is briefing family members of deployed paratroopers to double-check their social media settings and report any strange or threatening messages they may receive. They warning was sent out after some “menacing” messages and comments were reported to the command.
The division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team was deployed to Kuwait earlier this month as part of an emergency response to the region over heightened tensions with Iran.
“Families have reported instances where they have received unsolicited contact with some menacing messaging,” said Lt. Col. Mike Burns, a division spokesman.
“We have done several things to inform our paratroopers and families of these risks and ways that they can protect themselves,” Burns added. “I also personally spoke to the brigade [Family Readiness Group] leaders today.”
The 82nd has told family members to “be vigilant” and practice smart behavior online. Family members should check their social media settings and reference the U.S. Army’s social media handbook, Burns said. In addition to distributing social media pamphlets, the division has held information forums for families. Burns could not comment on the reports that WiFi access was suspended for brigade paratroopers in Kuwait.
Separately, two U.S. sources with direct knowledge of the situation told the Military Times that the WiFi access was suspended over fears of a potential hacking and leak of sensitive contact information. One defense source said the MWR network was compromised, that contacts were pulled from service member’s devices and family members have been getting threats and disturbing messages from the hackers.
The defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record, said family members stateside have been getting “threats and disturbing messages.”
One of the messages obtained by the Military Times appears to be a typical “psyops” styled warning. It references Iran, but there is no indication it is actually a state-sponsored message.
“If you like your life and you want to see your family again, pack up your stuff right now and leave the Middle East. Go back to your country. You and your terrorist clown president brought nothing but terrorism,” the message reads. “You fools underestimate the power of Iran. The recent attack on your [expletive] bases was just a little taste of our power. By killing our general, you dug your own grave. Before having more dead bodies, just leave the region for good and never look back.”
The message was sent over Instagram by an account that used deceased Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani’s portrait as a profile picture. Soleimani was killed by a U.S. airstrike on Jan. 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.
Other messages included fake scenarios about kidnappings intended to scare family members. A separate official noted that some messages appear to look more like phishing attempts.
The extent of the possible compromise is unknown. One defense official said it’s unknown at this time when and where the potential hacking may have taken place.
LETS GET THE WORD OUT THAT OUR MILITARY FAMILIES ARE BEING THREATENED. WE CAN’T HAVE THAT. THEY NEED BACK-UP WITH HELP IF NEEDED – PEOPLE THEY CAN CALL . THOSE FAMILIES ARE GOING TO NEED BACKUP PROTECTION . THEIR MEN ARE PROTECTING US WE NEED TO SHOW BACK-UP FOR THEM. LET THE MEN KNOW THAT THEIR FAMILIES WILL BE OK WITH OUR HELP.!!!! OUR MEN IN SERVICE CAN’T BE WORRIED ABOUT BACK HOME. THIS HAS TO BE FROM US.
Is anyone surprised? Iran and the rest of those engaged 8n state sponsored terror along with their proxies are cowards. They attack unarmed, peaceful civilians without regard if they are woman or children.
As shown all to 0kaim by such murdering, blood thirsty subhumans as Isis, they are regardless of their so-called beliefs, totally without moral compass, conscious or place any value in human life including their own
The answer to the entire situation is their total irradication from the human race.
I plead the blood of JESUS over each & every service member & their family members during this time of service to our country. Lord JESUS keep them safe from all the enemies attacks. Thank You JESUS! We love & need You JESUS! amen!
Who is releasing their contact information?
The State Dept.? DOD? Pentagon?
Anyone who threatens our GREAT MEN and WOMEN in uniform need to be monitored, then TAKEN out. There is NO reason or EXCUSE for this. Let us live in Peace, Harmony and Safety. Team Trump and his allies 2020.
They used to do that to contractors in the war zones. They’d call and threaten the families if they didn’t get their loved one out of country.
Totally agree the men here in the US need to step up to protect our families at home from
These nut balls, especially our military family’s. My grandson my nephews my beloved granddaughter and her uncles and grandfathers before them served and are serving this great nation to this day.
They will never stop killing they have no worth of a life to them people, they are all cattle.
Take them all out.
Not another US citizen should ever be killed in our own country by extreme prejudice terrorist who believe they are Gods people… now that’s fake news.