First female joins TRF in three years

Published Oct. 31, 2022
By Airman 1st Class Sarah Post
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. (AFNS) --

Staff Sgt. Witherspoon participates in training — Staff Sgt. Kristen Witherspoon, 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron Tactical Response Force candidate, moves through the shoot house on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Oct. 5, 2022. Witherspoon is the second female to tryout and finish the TRF selection course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Landon Gunsauls)

F.E. Warren Air Force Base is tasked with defending America with the world’s premier combat-ready intercontinental ballistic missile force. A mission that requires Airmen and defenders in the field every day, providing air and ground support and security.

Staff Sgt. Kristen Witherspoon, a member of the 890th Missile Security Operations Squadron, is one of these defenders.

Witherspoon wanted to take her commitment of defending the 90th Missile Wing’s assets to the next level, so she made the commitment and tried out for the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron’s Tactical Response Force. TRF is a rapid-deployed, specialized security forces team on alert 24/7. TRF trains extensively on small unit tactics, urban combat, assaulting sites from helicopters and close quarters combat. Defenders who are a part of TRF provide a quick reaction force for convoys and base emergencies and regularly preform armed air patrols over the 9,600 square-mile missile field.

“It means a lot to me to be able to defend the mission here,” Witherspoon said. “Now that I am a part of TRF, I will be able to physically defend the missiles with people I train with all the time, and that makes me proud.”

The first part of becoming a member of TRF is a physically demanding base-line evaluation. Witherspoon passed this evaluation by running an 800-meter sprint, dragging a 150-pound mannequin 50 meters, performing five or more dead hang pull-ups, climbing a 14-foot rope, rucking four miles and successfully breaching a pinned door – all within 90 minutes. Witherspoon had to complete the evaluation in full gear, a helmet and body armor with level four plates.

After passing the base-line evaluation, Witherspoon was selected to attend a four-week TRF orientation. During this time, she was tested on her leadership and followership abilities, communicative ability, learning comprehension, physical stamina, problem solving and mental fortitude. The orientation course puts stress on the body and mind to simulate high-risk tactical response scenarios and to ensure Airmen can make good decisions while in high-risk situations.

At the completion of the orientation course, Witherspoon graduated as a member of TRF. Before becoming an active member of the unit, she had to attend an advanced gunfighter course and an advanced tactical course. Both courses are designed to test the skills Airmen learn in the orientation course. Finally, Witherspoon participated in a duty position evaluation and a TRF log run to earn her talon number and become an active member of TRF.

Staff Sgt. Witherspoon poses with her TRF certificate — Staff Sgt. Witherspoon poses with her certificate and patch after Tactical Response Force graduation, Oct. 27, 2022, on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. Witherspoon went through four weeks of training to make it onto the rapid-deployed, specialized security forces TRF team. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st class Sarah Post)

“Staff Sgt. Witherspoon has done a great job throughout the evaluations and training courses so far and her hard work and determination shows every day,” said Master Sgt. Michael Kessler, TRF flight chief. “The rigorous training is not modified for females and Witherspoon is only one of a small portion of females that have made it onto TRF, which makes her performance that much more impressive.”

Graduating these courses and becoming a member of TRF is an accomplishment for any Airman; however, Witherspoon is only the second female to make it onto the force and the only female in over three years.

“I’m proud that I was able to become a part of TRF, and it makes me want to encourage other females to branch out and try out,” Witherspoon said.

As an official member of the rapid-deployed TRF, Witherspoon will provide air and ground support and security for the mission here.