FAST mission for security forces

  • Published
  • By Maj. David Simons
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Their job is simple: Cockpit denial and ground security. The training is intense, and only the best will get the assignment.

The two-man teams are called fly-away security teams and are an offshoot of Air Mobility Command’s Phoenix Raven program. Due to a high volume of intratheater airlift missions requiring Phoenix Raven security troops, U.S. Central Command Air Force officials have authorized the FAST Airmen for fly-away missions.

Serving recently in the FAST role on a scheduled airlift route flight was Capt. Mark Martin of the 386th Force Protection Squadron and Airman 1st Class Michael A. Gaytan of the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. For Captain Martin, assigned to Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and a long-time veteran of security forces operations, it was business as usual.

This was Airman Gaytan’s first mission as a FAST member and his first trip into the combat zone. For the Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Airman, his feelings were quite succinct.

“It’s about time I got to do something like this,” he said, commenting on getting away from performing standard guard post duty.

His said his enthusiasm for heading to Baghdad International Airport, deep in the heart of Iraq, was quite distinguishable.

Cockpit denial forces are needed when there seems to be a remote chance that a passenger on one of the C-130 Hercules aircraft belonging to the 386th Air Expeditionary Operations Group could take over the aircraft. The chance and ability are very slim, but precautions are in place. When an aircraft is transporting detainees or people who have not received a rigorous screening like American servicemembers, the cockpit denial team will be there.

The most susceptible of the missions are the flights that pick up passengers in various locations at predetermined times and routes. That is where the two-man team guards the cockpit. Much like the U.S. sky marshal program, these servicemembers are there to protect the aircraft from seizure.

Unlike U.S. sky marshals, the FAST Airmen are very distinguishable. They are in military uniform with weapons readily available, riding the aircraft at the two most accessible points to the cockpit.

To be one of the few security force Airmen able to perform the FAST mission at a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia, a person must complete Survival, Evasion, Rescue & Escape Level B training and High Risk of Capture training. In addition, Maj. Allan Sacdalan, commander of the 386th ESFS, requires that Airmen wishing to perform this mission complete their 5 skill level Career Development Course (CDC).

“I use this as an incentive for the young Airmen to stay focused and motivated to accomplish their required upgrade training prior to allowing them to experience different aspects of the security forces career field,” he said. “It’s a win-win situation for all as we get additional manpower for FAST missions, and the home unit regains a better-trained Airman, ready for advancement.”