Airmen provide Rhein-Main blanket of security

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. John E. Lasky
  • Air Force Print News
RHEIN-MAIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  For the last decade, the end has always seemed near for this historic air base. Now, the scheduled handover to Germany is officially within 12 months. As the closure nears, officials said the base is probably more important than it has ever been.

Airmen and aircraft here are sustaining a heavy work tempo for operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. As at any other location, whether large, small, behind enemy lines or in the United States, a blanket of security is needed to meet mission objectives, officials said.

The 469th Air Base Group’s security forces flight Airmen keep the blanket nice and tight. However, with the increased tempo here, they said they are getting some welcome assistance. Pulling on the corners of this blanket are supplemental security forces Airmen from nearby Ramstein Air Base, Spangdahlem AB and Vogelweh Military Complex.

“The (operations) couldn’t be supported without the augmentees,” said Master Sgt. Gary Luttrell, the flight’s operations superintendent. “As long as the mission is here, the augmentees are needed.”

Staff Sgt. Tim Crincic is one of the Airmen augmenting from Ramstein’s 435th Security Forces Squadron. He is a combat arms journeyman helping in the armory.

“If I can’t help in the desert, I can help here,” he said. “It’s better to see (the troops) when they’re returning to the states; they’re much happier.”

Like other units here, the challenge comes from losing people without getting replacements. This, officials said, makes the augmentees even more important.

“I have the responsibility of ensuring the terminal, the hangars, resources inside the hangars are secure,” said Airman Chad Alfred, who is here from the 469th U.S. Forces Police Squadron at Vogelweh. He conducts random anti-terrorism measures at an access point to the flightline.

Without the augmentees, “We really couldn’t do it,” said Capt. Jeffrey Adams, the flight’s chief.