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Security forces Airmen maintain ops tempo long after sundown

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amaani Lyle
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  Things are sometimes uncommonly quiet around here at night. But the calm is likely a welcome relief for the wing’s twilight guardians -- the 52nd Security Forces Squadron Airmen who are well-acquainted with 12-hour-plus graveyard shifts.

The responsibility to protect people and aircraft can be even trickier on night patrol, when inclement weather, limited visibility and higher incident rates become factors.

“This is a nonstop operation,” said Master Sgt. Clay Christiansen, 52nd SFS on-duty flight chief. “Around the clock, we have security forces members in vehicles and on foot patrolling the base’s perimeter, hardened aircraft shelters and housing (areas).”

Perhaps the “pulse” of the squadron is the highly secured law enforcement desk, where even Sergeant Christiansen, upon knocking, must officially announce himself to the Airmen behind the heavy steel door.

“This is basically our own command post,” said Senior Airman Tony Beitzel, a 52nd SFS LE desk controller. “We get phone calls that can be about anything from noise complaints to domestic violence complaints to drunk driving citations.”

Sergeant Christiansen said that even the most routine situation can quickly escalate, so adherence to professionalism and procedure is critical.

“We train our people to practice situational awareness through frequent exercise scenarios, rules of engagement refreshers and familiarity with dozens of quality review checklists,” Sergeant Christiansen said.

“We need to know how to quickly reference operating instructions and also how to prioritize and respond to the numerous situations that may not be outlined,” said Airman 1st Class Brett Poe, a 52nd SFS controller in training.

Airman Poe is one of only eight security forces troops to undergo the rigorous training and battery of oral and written tests required to qualify for the specialized duty of law enforcement desk operator.

“If you’re selected to work at the control center, you’re probably pretty familiar with host nation law, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, various weapons tests and practical training in aggravated assault aversion,” Airman Beitzel said. “For Airman Poe to only be an airman first class here means he’s proven himself, and we really have great confidence in his ability.”

Candid cameras

In a small sunken room within the control center sits Senior Airman Alex Jiminez, 52nd SFS monitoring system operator. Airman Jiminez said he and his colleagues have welcomed the challenge of adding “heavies” to the millions of dollars worth of aircraft they already stand sentry over during their shifts. The high-tech cameras and monitors he single-handedly controls can zoom and illuminate with such clarity that even a traffic signal off base can’t escape the lens’ sight.

“I’m a night person anyway, so watching the flightline at this time of night keeps me busy,” Airman Jiminez said. “Not only do we get lots of training here, but I was stationed at (Royal Air Force) Mildenhall (England) before, so I’m used to working with ‘big birds’ like the aircraft that pass through on the 726th (Air Mobility Squadron) ramp.”

Airman’s best friend?

It stands to reason that big birds would be protected by big dogs -- military working dogs, that is.

Staff Sgt. Cleophus Gallon, a 52nd SFS military working dog handler, had about two weeks to “bond” with his four-legged partner, 2-year old Artus, a German shepherd that Sergeant Gallon described as “excited like a new Airman out of tech school.”

It was hard to tell who was leading who on this routine dormitory inspection, where narcotics and explosives were Artus’ targets.

“He’s so used to being in training, where there was all sorts of stuff for him to find and that keeps him motivated during real-world situations,” said Sergeant Gallon. The lively but leashed canine dashed, darted and sniffed through hallways and common areas.

Sergeant Gallon said the military working dogs go through longer-term training before meeting their handlers, and many of the dogs even deploy with them. Sniffing out trouble is all in a day’s work for Artus.

First impressions

As Artus continued his patrol with Sergeant Gallon, two security forces Airmen braved bone-stinging temperatures to conduct installation access control at the wing’s main gate.

When Sergeant Christiansen emerged from his cruiser and approached Airman 1st Class Chad Roberts, the scene became reminiscent of the chow hall runner’s duty in basic military training.

“Sir, Airman Roberts reports as ordered,” the Airman offered the noncommissioned officer.

While standing just outside the threshold of the front gate sign-in room and shelter, the 52nd SFS installation entry controller rattled off with relative ease the post report, a brief but comprehensive update of everything from road conditions to force protection levels and more for Sergeant Christiansen.

Airman Roberts did not so much as flub a word. It was apparent that he was prepared to face any master sergeant or higher rank in his chain of command who could demand, without warning, such a report.

Once inside, the most noticeable aspect of the guardpost shelter was the absence of aids to fight fatigue, hunger or sheer boredom. There was no visible food, no magazines, no hand-held games or any respite to make the 12-hour shift pass more quickly. The room is fairly stark save for a couple of phones, illuminated controls and a sign-in sheet for people without Department of Defense identification cards.

So what to do for 12 hours? Airman Roberts said the main element of his job is installation access control, where his most frequently used weapon is employed: a 1-pound device known as the installation access control system, which captures information from the current military ID card as well as from the new common access card. Since the wee morning hours don’t typically bring a throng of base visitors, Airman Roberts said he studies upgrade training materials to keep abreast of the massive amount of information that even junior Airmen must quickly comprehend.

“There is so much information that our people need to know, especially at the front gate, because that is really the first impression that almost every newcomer has of the base,” Sergeant Christiansen said. “There could be anyone from dignitaries to someone who simply has questions about the base, and the folks at the gate need to know what they’re talking about.”

To further verify readiness and competency, Sergeant Christiansen said that every flight has a roll call, where continuity briefings are given and Airmen can be seen up close to ensure they are fully fit to work that day.

One thing Airman Roberts does not lack in the guard gate shelter is company. A partner with a good attitude and pleasant sense of humor can make the shift not seem so long.

Besides roll call, Sergeant Christiansen said he makes at least one visit per shift to his Airmen posted around base to help him get more familiar with his team.

“It really improves morale when the leaders come to see me during my shift,” Airman Roberts said. “It shows they have concern for the job I’m doing out here.”

“Visiting my people during their shifts is a great way for me to get into their lives and for them to get into mine, and I love every minute of it,” Sergeant Christiansen said.