Kirkuk self-help project protects airfield assets, saves money

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNS) --  Members from every 506th Air Expeditionary Group unit joined forces for a self-help project here to improve airfield security here in June.

Security forces members, medics, civil engineers, air-freight controllers, air-traffic controllers and communications technicians united to fulfill one of the group's top missions: securing the base by protecting the airfield.

"We are putting barriers up to ensure that only designated access points are used by individuals that require and are granted access onto the airfield," said 1st Lt. Sam Walker, the airfield operations flight director for the 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron.

There were areas along the airfield that allowed anyone unrestricted access and, from a force-protection perspective, these points of entry were assessed as threat vulnerabilities, said the Miami native deployed from Key Field, Miss.

Overall, this self-help project increases the protection of assets and personnel operating within the airfield, said Maj. Kip Schlum, the 506th antiterrorism/force protection officer.

Deliberately or by accident, an unauthorized vehicle's ability to drive onto the airfield is a major threat, said the native of Fountain Hills, Ariz., deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz..

The major also said debris carried onto the flightline from (excessive or unauthorized) vehicle traffic could seriously damage aircraft.

An initial project assessment by design engineers from the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron estimated costs of fencing materials and gates required to cordon the airfield would be approximately $517,000.

Lieutenant Walker said 506th AEG Airmen took a more resourceful approach by using surplus material already found on base, which yielded instant savings.

For example, more than 1,000 concrete jersey barriers from previous force-protection projects and several spools of steel cable were used as an alternative to fencing material.

"It is difficult to put a complete value on the amount of savings for the Air Force since the project is about protecting both current and future assets," the lieutenant said. "The project will help to protect more than 500 people who work on the airfield and $250 million of Air Force, Army, Department of Defense and U.S. Department of State resources supporting 7,000 monthly flight activities here."

Senior Airman Brian Messier, a 506th EOSS air traffic controller who is directly affected by the project, spent a morning uncoiling spools of cable and weaving it through barriers along the airfield's perimeter. The cable linked the barriers together, blocking airfield access for unauthorized vehicles.

Knowing the barriers will decrease potential security threats in his work area makes the native of Marblehead, Mass., and deployed from Whiteman AFB, Mo., feel safer now.

"No one can just drive onto the airfield and create problems for those who work here," Airman Messier said. "Now we can put our focus on doing our jobs and training the Iraqi air force."

As late-morning temperatures rose toward 100 degrees on the first day of the project, the 506th AEG chaplain staff watched over the 65 volunteers, providing cold drinks and morale support.

"I'm here to support everyone in this group-wide project, but the best way to show your support is by getting your hands dirty," said Staff Sgt. Seth Clark, a chaplain assistant and native of Morgantown, W.Va.

Taking a break to cool down, Sergeant Clark, deployed from Goodfellow AFB, Texas, said he understands why this project is so important. In his previous career field as an aircraft maintainer, he said he witnessed a vehicle crash through a fence and drive onto the flight line.

With concrete barriers in place, incidents can now be prevented here. In addition, airfield assets are more secure, and the money saved can be used to support the next mission-critical project here.