Airmen see Russia up close

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Cindy Dorfner
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ZHUKOVSKY, Russia (AFPN) --  As far as security forces Airmen are concerned, protecting aircraft in one location is like protecting aircraft in another. The scenery may change, but the procedures do not -- unless, of course, the aircraft are in the former Soviet Union.

For the 17 Airmen of the 48th Security Forces Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, protocol in protecting U.S. aircraft at the Moscow International Aviation and Space Salon at Ramenskoye Airfield here is a bit different than they are used to following.

The security forces Airmen here are not armed because of an agreement between the United States and Russia.

“We have no weapons, no type of defense equipment. We don’t even have handcuffs,” said Master Sgt. Kenneth Blair, noncommissioned officer in charge of 48th SFS resources.

The air show is one of the largest in the world, fourth only to the air shows in Paris; Farnborough, England; and Dubai. But, even with more than 750,000 visitors expected during the six-day air show where alcohol freely flows, Sergeant Blair said he and his team, which is augmented by some aircraft maintainers, are not concerned about security incidents.

“We’re working pretty closely with local security, and if a problem requires armed intervention, they’re close enough to respond,” Sergeant Blair said.

The U.S. aircraft, including two F-15E Strike Eagles, two F-16 Fighting Falcons, a KC-10 Extender and a KC-135 Stratotanker, are on static display situated behind a metal gate called a corral. Additionally, two B-1B Lancers are on hand for static and aerial displays and are drawing large crowds.

But, regardless of how big the crowds are, Sergeant Blair said his team of hand-selected Airmen is there to maintain 24-hour security of the U.S. assets -- a job he is confident his team can handle.

“Inside the corral, it’s business as usual,” he said. “Each of these guys does a different job around the squadron every day, but they all have ties with security and they know their jobs very well.”

Like working at Lakenheath, the days are long. The trip from the hotel to the airfield and back can take up to two hours each way. Add that to a 12-hour shift and it does not leave much time for sightseeing. Still, most people on the security team are thrilled about the opportunities this trip provides.

“It’s ironic that it took me coming to Moscow to learn more about our Air Force,” said Senior Airman Larry Cash, 48th SFS sensors program manager. “This is the first time I’ve had the chance to talk with (aircraft) maintainers. I didn’t really have an understanding of what they did. It’s neat to hear about what they do, and it gives me a chance to see what the Air Force is about outside a cop’s life.”

Others could not believe they were actually in Russia.

“I’m more than excited. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Senior Airman Jerome Hurst, 48th SFS security response team leader. “I’ll never forget this as long as I live.”

Sergeant Blair could not agree more.

“I joined the Air Force in 1986 and the Cold War was going strong,” he said. “Just being here is amazing. I never, in my lifetime, thought I’d walk on Soviet ground.”

This is the second time the United States has displayed military aircraft at the air show; the first time was in 2003. In 2001 the Department of Defense participated with a technology booth. (Courtesy of United States Air Forces in Europe News Service)