Security escorts eyes, ears for base security

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Lisa Polarek
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) --  They are “not your average babysitter.” In fact, the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s security escorts are referred to as the frontline of defense and the eyes and ears of security forces here.

“They provide the base with the ability to support multiple contracts without impacting the mission,” said Capt. Kristina Selstrom, the 376th ECES officer in charge of security escorts.

The security escorts, identified by the inscripted brassard they wear on their left arm, also serve as ambassadors and make the first and sometimes only impression third-country nationals have of Americans.

Tech. Sgt. Penelope Dyches, noncommissioned officer in charge of the security escorts, said the escorts monitor between 250 and 300 TCNs for the dorm construction area alone.

The escorts’ day starts at 6 a.m. when they report in and find out which areas they will be working in that day.

As the TCNs arrive at the gate, Airman 1st Class Jose Ramos, the point man, is the first to see them and then radios to let the escorts know they have arrived.

Once they enter the gate, TCNs and contractors go to the visitor control center where they are briefed, searched and issued badges. Escorts are with them through the whole process.

said Senior Airman Deborah Bell, visitors’ center controller

From the visitors’ center, the escorts and TCNs go in a variety of directions. Some of the escorts are responsible for watching over garbage truck workers, custodians and honey wagon employees who empty portable toilettes, while others go to construction sites.

The job they perform is essential and appreciated.

“It makes our job a lot easier. If it wasn’t for (escorts), we’d have to do it,” said Tech. Sgt. David Alderton, the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron visitors’ center area supervisor.

To keep escorts from becoming complacent, they are rotated around so they are not on the same site all of the time.

Complacency is something the escorts cannot afford.

“The biggest challenge is maintaining a vigil stance. Just because something hasn’t happened doesn’t mean it won’t,” Sergeant Dyches said. “They must stay vigilant.”

“They’re a safety net,” Captain Selstrom added. “They look for things and find them before anyone else does.”

Some escorts have found used uniforms and documents in the trash. These items could be used to gain false entry into the base, the captain said.

“It’s a real sacrifice. What the escorts do is so important to protecting lives,” Sergeant Dyches said.

While on duty, escorts cannot read, listen to headphones or fall asleep.

“We’re serious about that and we don’t let it happen,” Sergeant Dyches said.

“They need to know where their people are at all times,” added Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Rock, the escort site overseer.

The escorts come from a variety of career fields and are all volunteers for this deployment.

“I volunteered because I had never deployed before and I wanted to see what it was like,” said Staff Sgt. Christina Williamson-Haupt, 376th ECES escort. “It makes me feel good knowing they’re trusting us to be out there watching these people. It makes me feel like I’m doing a good job and they can depend on us.”