Security forces ensure convoy safety in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kara Philp
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Force Public Affairs
TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Convoys have been the lifeblood for operations here ever since coalition forces took control of this former Iraqi air force field at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The job of the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron is to ensure that the convoys get through. Since March, the defenders of the 407th ESFS have safely guided more than 70 convoys, carrying the equivalent of 800 C-130 Hercules loads, to Tallil.

Being the first security forces unit in Iraq after the war started, the unit heavily relied upon their teamwork and training.

"It's been a team effort from the word 'go,' " said Tech. Sgt. George Stengel, 407th ESFS squad leader. "Since we deploy as a unit, we know what's expected of us before we arrive.

"We're going to do the mission no matter what, and we're out there to protect each other," he said.

The Air Force has modified other defenses to best fit the mission, tighter security being one example.

"We tailor each type of convoy to what that threat is," Stengel said. "There is no doubt we've run through several ambush points, but what others consider permissive, we don't.

"Injury or loss of life in unacceptable," he said. "A zero casualty rate is our only casualty rate."

Besides "Red Tail," which was the process of moving assets from Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, to here, convoy teams are also responsible for the food being shipped to Tallil AB.

"Any Air Force asset or contracted asset that arrives at or leaves from Tallil, we're going to attach a security element to it, be it civilian or military," said Master Sgt. Lawrence Rettele, 407th ESFS operations superintendent.

After four months of eating “meals ready to eat” and “unitized group rations,” security forces leaders and officials from the 407th Expeditionary Services Squadron got together to begin convoys bringing food to Tallil.

"We'd all be eating MREs and UGRs forever if it weren't for the convoys," said Airman 1st Class Jesse Rancourt, a 407th ESFS gunner.

Rancourt, who participated in his first real-world convoy from Al Jaber to Tallil, said the extensive convoy training made him feel prepared.

"We train for everything and (I was) ready to put some rounds downrange," he said.

Stengel said the goal with training is that procedures become second nature.

"When a situation arises, we automatically fall back on our training," he said. "We don't have to wonder what the guys next to us are doing. That's where teamwork is key."

As the "last of the first regime" prepares to head home in August, the rest of the squadron is confident the next team will work as well together.

"The wheel is going to turn, regardless. It might slow down but it's never going to stop," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lynn, 407th ESFS fire team leader.