Force protection specialists keep movement safe, seamless

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Unit force protection specialists in Southwest Asia make the movement of people and equipment in and out the area of responsibility as safe and seamless as possible. 

With approximately 55,000 passengers, 9,000 tons of cargo and 1,000 different aircraft passing through each month, it is no easy task, unit officials said.

As one of the busiest aircraft parking ramps in the area of responsibility, the team often has aircraft on the way, or waiting to land, while those on the ground are being cleaned and supplied.

Third country nationals perform much of the cleaning and servicing jobs around the aircraft.

"Force protection is our No. 1 priority," said Master Sgt. Gabriel Gonzalez, the 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron anti-terrorism officer.  "We organize and search all TCNs before taking them out to the aircraft."

Before the TCNs can approach the aircraft, they are scrutinized for anything that may be out of the ordinary or suspicious.

"We escort TCNs around the aircraft so they can perform their jobs," said Staff Sgt. Timathy Hern, the 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron force protection alternate NCO in charge. "But before they even get to the aircraft, they must enter our search pit, which is an area off the flightline that's open and away from operations. We're looking for anything suspicious that may cause harm to the aircraft, Airmen or disrupt operations." 

Members also performs a pre-inspection of the aircraft to make sure nothing was left behind by passengers that is of importance or value. A force protection member searches every seat, aisle and overhead compartment -- any place someone might be able stick something. 

After the inspection is complete, the TCNs come on board to clean and service the aircraft, Sergeant Hern said.

Some of the items typically found are travel orders, magazines, MP3 players and hats. All of these items go into the "lost and found" until claimed by the people who lost them.

The main purpose of the mission is to deny the enemy intelligence and keep them from gaining an edge in war on terrorism.

"It's important to keep the TCNs from gathering intelligence for the enemy," said Master Sgt. Fredrick Schliffke, the 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron escort program manager. "These Airmen are doing an outstanding job in preventing the enemy from getting a foothold in operations here." 

The interaction with the TCNs give them a better understanding of local cultures.

"It's a very interesting job. I get to learn the customs and courtesies of the TCNs firsthand, and I also get to see happy servicemembers going home and determined ones arriving," said Airman 1st Class Maurice Mixon, a 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron force protection specialist.

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