Pope NCO serves as security forces team leader in Southwest Asia

Published Jan. 21, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Air Force security forces have to be ready for a response at moment's notice...and sometimes less. Known as "defenders" to many in the Air Force community, Airmen like Staff Sgt. LeTari Myles are ready to take action when called upon.

"While deployed, myself, along with my fellow security forces, provide security for all U.S. military resources, equipment and people at our deployed location," said Sergeant Myles who serves as a security forces response team leader with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here. "We have to provide an immediate armed response to all situations affecting the protection level resources we have."

A seven-year veteran of the Air Force and the security forces career field, Sergeant Myles said he knows the importance of keeping nearly 1,900 people safe along with protecting millions of dollars of equipment, aircraft and assets.

To be a "defender," it takes a high volume of training and the knowledge in weaponry, laws, directives and programs, policies, and procedures governing security forces activities, according to his career field description. That knowledge further breaks down into being fluent on installation security, anti-terrorism, law enforcement and investigations and air base defense.

"In short, my career field provides a first line of defense," said Sergeant Myles, whose hometown is Detroit, Mich.

Deployed from the 43rd Security Forces Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Sergeant Myles said the longer he serves in the military, the more appreciation he has for his fellow security forces Airmen and other service members. "I'm enjoying serving in the U.S. military and I have grown to love, accept and respect my job," said Sergeant Myles.

Sergeant Myles added that he knows deploying is "something that comes with the job."

"I knew that before I joined the Air Force," Sergeant Myles said. "Deploying has been easy to me due to the fact I have my family backing me and they understanding."

Even knowing he had to leave family behind to deploy, the staff sergeant said the time away offers an opportunity to meet new people and more.

"When you deploy, it's hard to leave your family, but you meet and become close with new people who become your extended family," Sergeant Myles said. "The military has taught me a lot and I have gained a lot from the military."

The 380th ESFS, as a part of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, supports Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. The 380th AEW is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia.

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Staff Sgt. LeTari Myles, security forces response team leader with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, watches over the flightline in the early morning hours at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia on Jan. 18, 2010. Sergeant Myles and his fellow security forces Airmen from the 380th ESFS are responsible for keeping nearly 1,900 people safe along with protecting millions of dollars of equipment, aircraft and assets. Sergeant Myles is deployed from the 43rd Security Forces Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and his hometown is Detroit, Mich. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol/Released)

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Staff Sgt. LeTari Myles, security forces response team leader with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, watches over the flightline in the early morning hours at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia on Jan. 18, 2010. Sergeant Myles and his fellow security forces Airmen from the 380th ESFS are responsible for keeping nearly 1,900 people safe along with protecting millions of dollars of equipment, aircraft and assets. Sergeant Myles is deployed from the 43rd Security Forces Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and his hometown is Detroit, Mich. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol/Released)

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