Security forces squadron leads combat path Published Jan. 20, 2006 By Senior Airman Sergio Aguirre 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (AFPN) -- In a vast wasteland of Third World countries paved with improvised explosive devices and teenagers armed with rocket-propelled grenades, you’ll find Airmen defending freedom. Airmen with the 366th Fighter Wing here are no strangers to combat operations, but one group shares this load more often. The men and women of the 366th Security Forces Squadron are stepping out of the “typical” Air Force mold and spending more time fighting terrorists face to face or disengaging threats directed at the base. “We are moving to an expeditionary ground defense role versus the older insulated home-station role that most people are familiar with,” said Capt. Eric Springer of the 366th SFS. “This new force structure is what the Air Force envisions for all Airmen, and our troops are setting the standard for future Airmen.” More than 60 percent of the squadron is deployed at any given time throughout the year. While the majority of Airmen stationed here prepare for a four-month deployment every 14 months, the security forces Airmen prepare to deploy every six months. No matter how many deployments they have been a part of, they know it is only a matter of time before they find themselves back in Southwest Asia, Europe, South America or wherever a threat arises. This constant schedule of train and deploy is nothing new for Airmen, but to a part of the security forces career field, it has a slightly different meaning. “Dealing with deployments can be hard, but it’s part of my job,” said Senior Airman Brandy Singleton. “Having an AEF bucket cycle where we deploy for four months at a time would help ease the stress on a lot of us, but I don’t think you’ll hear anyone complain.” Airman Singleton has been on two deployments in the past two and a half years. She recently returned from Iraq, where she worked side by side with the Army. “I think my deployment made an impact, and I think we helped a lot of people,” Airman Singleton said. “I think the Iraqi people appreciated it -- not all of them of course, but many of them.” The Iraqi people’s appreciation of their work has helped the security forces Airmen do their job. Morale runs high on the job as supportive Iraqis interact with patrols and servicemembers, Airman Singleton said. “Many of our new troops will spend more than a thousand days deployed out of their four-year enlistment,” said Master Sgt. Philip Coolberth of the 366th SFS. “That’s a lot of time spent in the sand engaging the enemy.” Engaging the enemy is also slightly different for security forces Airmen. While aircrew members dissect preselected targets from high above, these troops get much closer. “The Army has been very impressed with our effectiveness,” Sergeant Coolberth said. “Our troops are decorated by the Army, and we are not talking about operation ribbons -- these are combat decorations.” The lethality of those sent forward is undisputed. Airmen here remain a highly trained and skilled force with an ever-growing skill set, which stand at more than 230 and counting. “Our guys are constantly tasked to learn something new,” Sergeant Coolberth said. “You can’t fake these skills, as they directly affect human lives. These members must know their jobs inside and out; there is simply too much at stake.” This barrage of new information and constant evolution would have some servicemembers wanting to throw in the towel, but according to Sergeant Coolberth, it is all part of the job. Despite the high operations tempo and seemingly never ending deployment cycle, Sergeant Coolberth remains optimistic about the number of Airmen who stay on as security forces members. “If you use re-enlistments as a rule, we are very high in retention rates. I think a lot of that has to do with our morale being so high,” Sergeant Coolberth said. “These men and women love their jobs and are proud to wear the beret.”