FAST provides security for flights throughout Afghanistan

Published Sept. 30, 2011
By Senior Airman David Carbajal
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- In desolate areas of Afghanistan where few roads can be found, U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-27 Spartans land on dirt runways to transport personnel and cargo to remote forward-operating bases. Several members of the Fly Away Security Team provide security for those flights where they seldom have the luxury of a secured flightline.

"FAST really isn't much different than security forces at a stateside location," said Staff Sgt. Adamo Merlo, 451st Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron FAST member. "The only difference is we go where the plane goes."

The fly away teams consist of two security forces members who are both equipped with an M-4 and an M-9. Currently, eight of the 10 FAST members here are deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.

The FAST members support an average of 4 to 5 flights per day to forward-operating bases such as Qalat, Tirin Kot and several other FOBs throughout the country.

"We're treated just like aircrew," said Merlo, who is deployed from Seymour Johnson AFB and a Norfolk, Va., native. "We blend in with the flight crew. We wear flight suits without nametags. The only difference is we wear IBA (individual body armor) and carry two weapons instead of one."

Prior to flight, the FAST members attend an intelligence briefing to understand the threats they may or may not observe while on a mission, said Merlo.

"It's not uncommon for local nationals to be on the airfield when we arrive to a location," said Master Sgt. Brian Algeo, NCO in-charge of FAST, who is deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and a Springfield, Ohio, native. "So, while the crew is busy checking instruments and unloading cargo, we have to be vigilant to keep everyone safe."

"In some cases, we can be the last line of defense for the aircrew and the aircraft," said Algeo, who is also a "Phoenix Raven."

The security team is also responsible for the flight's security while in the air.

"As a FAST member, we're not only responsible for maintaining the security of the aircraft while it's on the ground but also maintaining order on the aircraft during flight," said Merlo.

Occasionally, the security teams will support flights that are transporting high-profile passengers to other bases throughout the area of responsibility.

"If a passenger gets out of hand, we have to detain them to ensure the security of the aircraft," said Merlo.

Most security team members attend a three-day course to gain new skills like hand-to-hand combat to anti-hijacking training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. This training is described as a condensed training course from that of the Phoenix Raven.

"We always have to be vigilant and be on guard because you never know what's going to happen," said Merlo.