Ohio National Guard News

ONG Airman recognized for efforts
during 2016 OSU terrorist attack

Story and photos by 1st Lt. Aaron Smith, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Photo by 1st Lt. Aaron Smith, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Homeland Security Investigations Resident Agent in Charge Nathan Emery (right) presents an award to Tech Sgt. Lance Armstrong, a criminal analyst with the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force earlier this year at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Armstrong was recognized for his work providing intelligence and analysis to senior leaders at law enforcement agencies during a 2016 terrorist attack on The Ohio State University campus in Columbus.

Photos by Khaalid Walls, Homeland Security Investigations

Tech Sgt. Lance Armstrong, a criminal analyst with the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, works in his office at Homeland Security Investigations, the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Inset: Tech Sgt. Lance Armstrong examines a map as part of his duties as a criminal analyst with the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force in support of Homeland Security Investigations, the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in the Columbus, Ohio area.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (06/04/18) — It was a normal Monday at the office for Tech. Sgt. Lance Armstrong, with just routine meetings and paperwork on the calendar, or so he thought.

That all changed the morning of Nov. 28, 2016, when a student crashed his vehicle into pedestrians at The Ohio State University campus, then chased after bystanders, slashing them with a butcher knife before being fatally shot by a university police officer.

As a criminal analyst for the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force — part of Homeland Security Investigations, the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Armstrong’s office was immediately brought into the investigation surrounding the identity and motives of Abdul Razak Ali Artan.

As the situation was developing, many questions arose. Was this part of a larger attack? Was the attacker affiliated with a terrorist organization? These questions needed answers, and quickly. Armstrong was the only one in the office with the expertise that could help, due to most of his coworkers being gone for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

“When the HSI Group supervisor put everyone on alert, information started coming in regarding the incident,” Armstrong said. “I became the analytical/intelligence point of contact for the HSI office between the agents, supervisors and intelligence functions from other law enforcement agencies.”

As a criminal analyst, Armstrong provides intelligence and analysis of criminal information for drug investigations. Armstrong writes these reports to assist the CDTF and partner agencies in the fight against drug trafficking.

“I had never worked a real-world active shooter, terrorist attack or hostage situation before,” Armstrong recalled. “Expectations developed as information and needs of the agency developed, so I just had to work one thing at a time. At the beginning, I was just collecting the information, ensuring accuracy and disseminating it as fast as possible.”

While people watched on their televisions across the nation for answers, Armstrong worked tirelessly to provide timely and accurate information to leaders at numerous levels of responsibility, including the Secretary of Homeland Security. Immediately following the attack, Armstrong began compiling and producing reports, initially basic facts twice an hour, which became longer and more detailed as the investigation went on.

At the time the incident occurred, there was no clear indication of motive or the possible extent of further attacks, but as information flowed in, the picture began to take shape. Through Armstrong’s analysis, the FBI was able to discover the link between the attacker and the Islamic State group.

Because of his incredible work that day, Armstrong was presented with an award in an intimate ceremony at the Ohio National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Columbus.

“This award is a testament to Tech Sgt. Armstrong’s dedication to the HSI mission and his willingness to go above and beyond for any assignment he’s given,” said HSI Columbus Resident Agent in Charge Nathan Emery. “I’m especially honored to serve alongside Tech Sgt. Armstrong on two fronts: one as a fellow military reservist and as a colleague at HSI Columbus.”

At the time, Armstrong was a traditional Citizen-Airmen serving as a heavy equipment mechanic with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 123rd Air Control Squadron in Blue Ash, Ohio. In his current position, he serves as an intelligence operations analyst at the 125th Intelligence Squadron, based out of Springfield, Ohio.

He credits the National Guard for preparing him to work in that type of environment.
“The Guard has taught me how to be flexible, mission- and detail-oriented, as well as being able to think and operate under pressure,” Armstrong said.  “I’m able to bring the structure and process that I’ve learned in the military into other aspects of my work and this incident was no different.”

Armstrong is one of numerous examples of Citizen-Airmen living, working and supporting their communities every single day.

While his position working with the Ohio National Guard CDTF provided Armstrong with the skills and expertise to excel in this situation, the CDTF also works diligently to fight the war on drugs throughout the state of Ohio. In 2017, Counterdrug criminal analysts, including Armstrong, supported the seizures of 268 pounds of heroin, 133 pounds of Fentanyl and 68,858 prescription Opiate pills.