Guam Guard works side-by-side with active-duty counterparts

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Val Gempis
  • Air Force Print News
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Maria Ronquillo is known as one of the nicest and most caring teachers on Guam. As a teacher consultant for a high school here, she frequently visits students to make sure they have good grades and make progress in their classes.

But you don’t want to see this friendly islander make a “house call” when she dons her Air Force uniform.

“If people don’t want to follow the law I’ll arrest them,” said Senior Airman Ronquillo, a defender with the 254th Security Forces Squadron, Guam Air National Guard, based here.

The Air National Guard’s mission is to maintain well-trained and well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during war and national emergencies.

And, during the past few years, members of the 254th SFS have been instrumental in filling in for deployed active-duty troops from Andersen’s 36th Security Forces Squadron.

“They’re a great asset. It would be difficult to maintain our mission here without them while our members our downrange,” said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Murphy, 36th SFS manager.

He said Guard Airmen are fully integrated within his unit. They are held to the same job evaluation standards and work the same posts as active-duty personnel.

The 254th SFS is an associate unit and the relationship between the squadrons is reciprocating.

“They provide equipped and motivated Airmen and we hone their skills and experience. We’re one team, one fight,” Chief Murphy said.

Guard and active-duty Airmen work side-by-side here daily. They perform individual and team patrol movements. They operate in various field environments including installation, weapon system and resource security checks. They also conduct tactical drills and integrated base defense duties.

Staff Sgt. Michael Quitugua, also from the 254th SFS, said the biggest benefit is experience. Although they practice extensively in the ANG, he said most of their training is simulated scenarios.

Sergeant Quitugua, a student at the University of Guam, said it’s difficult to learn how to handle driving under influence scenarios or domestic incidents in classrooms.

“You can’t teach the mindset of what it’s like in the daily grind of the job,” he said.

“It was nerve-wracking the first time I made an arrest,” said Airman Ronquillo, who holds a degree in criminal justice.

Airman Ronquillo and four other security forces troops responded to a call involving a fight between two people on base. Her active-duty supervisor at the time let her take control of the situation, which included searching and handcuffing the suspect on her own. She said that although she was a little nervous, she completed every procedure correctly and was proud of her actions.

Master Sgt. Paul Capinas, 36th SFS flight chief, said another important contribution the Guard bring to his unit is their knowledge of the community.

“They know the area. They help us better understand the culture here in Guam,” Sergeant Capinas said.