Airmen support operations in Liberia

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kristi Beckman
  • 398th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
LUNGI, Sierra Leone (AFPN) --  Far from the forests and castles of Germany, a handful of security forces airmen from the 52nd Security Forces Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base are deployed to the palm trees and jungle canopy of Africa supporting operations in Liberia.

The airmen deployed to Dakar, Senegal, on July 13 and set up the base for oncoming support.

“We were the first cops in Dakar,” said Staff Sgt. Mark Reinecke, deployed security forces leader. “This is out of the ordinary for us, but it’s what we train for.”

The Spangdahlem airmen left Dakar on July 31 to assist the 786th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron deployed to Lungi, Sierra Leone. The squadron is the force protection headquarters element for the 398th Air Expeditionary Group that was responsible for evacuating 60 people from the American Embassy in Liberia. It was also responsible for infiltrating 43 Marines to the embassy.

“It’s great being a part of this mission,” said Senior Airman Jeffrey Malone, a security forces team member. “It’s totally different than anything I’ve ever done. I’m normally a desk sergeant at home, so this is a great change of pace.”

Airman 1st Class Matthew Blazewicz, an SF team member, said being on this mission makes him feel like he is really part of something significant.

“We’re playing a big role here in helping out during a world situation,” he said.

The airmen provide law enforcement at home for F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. Here, they guard the HH-60G Pave Hawks from Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland.

Senior Airman Rickey Pendarvis, an SF team member, said it is not much different guarding the different types of aircraft, but being in Africa, “you’re a little more on edge and more aware of your surroundings.”

“The threat is higher at a deployed location because you never know what to expect,” said Blazewicz.

Working with the 786th ESFS, whose main job is to deploy and set up ground base defense, has been a real opportunity for the airmen.

“This has been a real experience for all of us, being with the 786th,” said Reinecke. “They do our regional (U. S. Air Forces in Europe) training, called Creek Defender, which teaches us how to set up and defend an air base.”

“What an awesome experience,” said Blazewicz. “We got to see how high speed the 786 cops were at Creek D, and now we’re working with them.”

Malone said they are part of a small team in Spangdahlem, and this has been a great learning experience from a leadership point of view.

“I like doing this kind of stuff,” said Malone. “I’d rather be on a deployment all the time. This is what we train for.” (Courtesy of USAFE News Service)