Security forces keep base secure

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amanda Mills
  • 321st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
At this forward-deployed Operation Iraqi Freedom location, two security forces airmen in an observation post keep a close watch on local shipping traffic with high-powered binoculars.

At the search pit, military working dogs sniff through a vehicle before it is released to approach the entry control point.

And at the ECP, another security forces airman inspects a truck driver's Department of Defense identification card before allowing the vehicle into the wing's tent city.

At these locations and many others, members of the 321st Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron work hard to keep the airmen here safe.

"Our mission is to protect Air Force resources and personnel by first deterring enemy forces and then if necessary detect and respond," said Maj. Mary Lutz, 321st ESFS commander. "By succeeding in our job we allow the other squadrons to execute their missions," she said.

Although most people are aware of security forces troops at the search pit and the ECP, they also man observation posts, mount mobile and flight line patrols and manage a control center.

The search pit is the first line of defense into tent city. There, handlers use military working dogs to inspect every vehicle that has business with the wing.

"The K-9 handlers not only run their dogs around and through every vehicle, they maintain a kennel and see to the health and welfare of all the dogs," said 1st Lt. Shawn Swarz, 321st ESFS operations officer. "These guys are responsible for around the clock checks on the kennel and providing care and maintenance to these dogs."

Ion scanners are also used to inspect specific areas where a dog alerts to a suspicious scent, Swarz said.

"We're usually pretty busy here, making sure every vehicle is searched before it enters tent city," said Master Sgt. Thomas Ewing, NCOIC of the search pit. "It's a great position though, and I enjoy the daily interaction with the TCNs (third country nationals)."

After the search pit, people must enter tent city through the ECP. Drop arm barriers block the entry and exit gates, and are down 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"(Security forces) at the gates check DOD ID cards, check the gate equipment at shift change, and watch for anything out of the ordinary," said Staff Sgt. Bruce Lawler, staff NCO. "They're also trained to recognize if people are under duress."

Inside and outside of tent city, patrols and observers ensure security is maintained at various locations. Flight line and mobile patrols vary their routes and checkpoint times. Observers in listening and observation posts, or LP/OPs, use high-powered binoculars and night vision equipment to monitor certain areas.

One LP/OP watches the avenue of approach for vessels from the ocean.

"The water is a big threat, and one important to cover," said Airman 1st Class Sophia Myron, an LP/OP observer. "Our job is to observe the ocean, making sure everything's A-OK, and report anything out of the ordinary to the control center."

Every security forces flight member reports to the control center - the hub of the squadron. The center controls the flights, facilitates radio communications and phone calls to main locations, and handles emergency calls.

"This has been a satisfying deployment for me," Lutz said. "We've got state-of-the-art equipment, but even more important is the attitude and dedication that every member has shown here. They absolutely take pride in accomplishing their duty," she said.

"I am proud to be a member of this unit where personnel don't hesitate to step up to every challenge presented to them," Lutz said. "I couldn't imagine myself in any other unit."