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380AEW Article

The Gatekeepers: Defender’s provide frontline security for Phantom Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
Southwest Asia --  As Airmen conduct their assigned missions behind concertina wire, perimeter walls and barriers, a flight of Airmen from the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron vehicle search area is on guard to ensure their safety.

The VSA is the separating area for several types of vehicles and personnel attempting to gain access to the base.

“We ensure all the traffic that flows through the VSA is separated and secure when it enters Phantom [U.S. compound],” said Master Sgt. Benjamin, 380th ESFS vehicle search area supervisor. “The VSA is the tip of the spear for security of the base. Any personnel or vehicle that enters Phantom is secured by us.”

Every day, droves of vehicles and personnel are vetted and processed through the vehicle search area. In order to complete such a huge task, the frontline Defenders employ several techniques to ensure the process is safe and effective.

“We execute several types of countermeasures to ensure everything is secure; some of those things include vehicle searches, K-9 sweeps, metal detectors and advanced scanning machines for personnel,” said MSgt Benjamin. “We’re able to process all of the traffic and ensure there are no contraband items or more dangerous things such as vehicle borne improvised explosive devices. It’s a job that keeps us very busy.”

Since January, the VSA has searched approximately 50 thousand vehicles and processed 75 thousand personnel. It’s a mission which impacts every deployed servicemember.

“We process and secure around 400 to 500 personnel and 200 vehicles every day, that’s our job,” said MSgt Benjamin. “But it’s more than that, we ensure that the people who live and work in Phantom are safe; catching any threats before they enter the general populous.”

Threats come in many different shapes and sizes, with varying capabilities which can harm or degrade mission capabilities. Discovering those threats before they can do harm is critical.

“It’s an important piece of the mission; it allows the rest of the base to do their mission safely. If one item gets through, whether it’s a thumb drive or an explosive device, the impact could be catastrophic,” said MSgt Benjamin. “We try our hardest to catch everything before it enters the base. Every Airman here is trained to detect threats, from vehicle borne IED’s to different types of electronic devices such as memory sticks or SD cards that could be potential cyber threats.”

Beginning in 2015, the ESFS has discovered and confiscated over 200 contraband items which include knives, narcotics in addition to electronic devices.

“The VSA is extremely important, we’re the first line of defense for the base,” said Senior Airman Patrick, security forces member. “Being in a foreign country, the threat is a little higher than most places. We’re a great deterrence to things that could compromise the base and the people who work here.”

Avoiding the unimaginable is difficult. To mitigate those possibilities, Defenders rely on situational awareness and team work in an evolving environment.

“The job can be dangerous if you become complacent. You have to maintain situational awareness at all times,” said SrA Patrick. “You don’t know if someone is going to come up to our gate and blow it up. The type of teamwork we have up here allows everything to happen very quickly while maintaining high security. We absorb the danger that could possibly push itself on to the base and affect other people.”

Like most career fields, Security Forces is a tightknit community. They shoulder a large responsibility and are committed to the safety of others. It’s a brotherhood that is visible in the VSA.

“We have a close group of people here; you’re constantly working with other Airmen and developing bonds and friendships,” said SrA Patrick. “I have a lot of faith in those around me knowing they’re doing their part. It keeps you excited about what we’re doing.”

(Editor’s note: Due to safety and security reasons, last names were removed.)