FAST integral part of 451st mission

Published March 15, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Renni Thornton
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan -- Members of the 451st Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron perform a valuable task every day. They provide security to aircraft as they load and unload cargo and passengers.

Airman 1st Class Sean Padilla and Senior Airman Edward Roberts are part of an 11-person team put together solely to provide security for 451st aircraft while deployed to Kandahar Airfield.

"Our job is to provide ground security for aircraft and personnel. We make sure the cargo, passengers and crew members are able to load or off-load safely," said Airman Padilla.

The security forces team members are required to fly with certain missions. Those are determined based on the threat level at some of the places the aircraft fly into, said Lt. Col. Ash Salter, commander, 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.

"The FAST members are the first responders to defend the aircraft when it's away from home station. They give the crews peace of mind when they are on board. We definitely appreciate them being there," said Colonel Salter.

Of the past 45 missions, about 35 percent could not have been performed without the FAST members, said Maj. Robert W. Slanger, assistant director of operations, 772nd EAS.

In addition to ground security, the FAST members provide security to passengers as well.

"We also provide security to distinguished visitors, general officers, and third-country nationals. Sometimes the aircraft transports detainees," said Staff Sgt. Edgar Reyes, team chief and coordinator. "On those missions, we provide flight deck denial. It's security for the flight crew to deter hijacking."

There are times when the security team will assist the loadmasters with on- and off-loading.

"When we can, we help them out--it just makes the mission go faster and smoother," Sergeant Reyes said. The team is comprised of nine males, one female, and one team coordinator.

They attend a one-week training course together, conducted by Phoenix Raven instructors at the Air Expeditionary Center, Fort Dix, N.J. There, they learn verbal judo, ground combat skills, and defense techniques.

The current FAST travelled together from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Whenever possible, teams travel from the same location, said Senior Master Sgt. Eliezer Cruz, 451st ESFS manager.

"They usually know each other, having worked together at their home station," he said. "Deploying them together just adds to the cohesiveness of the team. It doesn't always work out, but usually that is preferred."

It is also preferred to have a Raven with each fly away team, said Sergeant Cruz. Sergeant Reyes has been a Raven since 2005, number 1317.

Overall, Airmen Padilla and Roberts both agree the work they do here is important.

"This is different than what we do back home," said Airman Padilla. "Here, we provide security so that the cargo and passengers can get off-loaded or on-loaded safely. They go to some hot spots where security is not available. It's our job to make sure they can carry out the mission safely."