Operation Enduring Freedom

KABUL, Afghanistan -- An Afghan Air Force Airmen presents his graduation certificate during a ceremony honoring him and his fellow security forces course graduates held at Pohantoon-e-Hawayee, the AAF’s “Big Air School,” on the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul March 7. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Comunications Specialist 2nd Class Vladimir Potapenko)

AAF graduates new security forces Airmen

Published March 9, 2011
By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Vladimir Potapenko
438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghan Air Force Airmen graduated from the security forces course during a ceremony held at Pohantoon-e-Hawayee, the AAF's "Big Air School," on the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul March 7.

The three week course consisted of daily physical fitness, team building, security forces orientation and duty hazards, incorporation of force continuum matrix, unexploded ordnance/improvised explosive device recognition and response procedures, weapons familiarization and safety, entry control point duties and procedures, challenging and search procedures for personnel and vehicles, restraint techniques, defensive tactics/fighting and self-defense, weapons retention drills, urban operations, combat first aid, and individual/team ground combat tactics.

Not yet knowing what assignments the graduates will receive, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Tyler Brown, a NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan security forces advisor and instructor, stressed the importance of their future careers whatever they may be.

"More often than not you see the aircraft in the picture, but what you do not see in the photo is the security forces troops on the ground protecting the aircraft when it is most vulnerable," he said.

Lt. Col. Ryan Nichols, commander of the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, agreed with Sergeant Brown's sentiments, commenting, "Security forces are the first line of defense for the Air Force. Your mission everyday is a life or death mission; everyday you do your job, you hold someone's life in your hands, so don't take shortcuts."

Regardless of what they face in the coming years, Sergeant Brown is certain of one thing, that he is proud to call the newly minted Afghan security force troops brothers-in-arms, fellow "defenders," a term of honor held by the security forces community.