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Deployed defenders show AF mission is more than just aircraft

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eric Schloeffel
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq --  While typical perceptions associated with the Air Force in combat might involve aircraft dropping bombs on targets, the several hundred security forces Airmen deployed here are proving these stereotypes outdated.

The Air Force's main mission at Kirkuk is not to fly daily combat sorties, but to maintain the security of the base for the more than 5,000 personnel who operate out of here.

"The security forces mission at this base is unique, as it's the only installation in-theatre where the Air Force controls security for the entire base," said Col. James Hurley, 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron commander, deployed from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. "There are other bases in the [area of responsibility] that are looking to go to this sort of structure, but Kirkuk is currently the only one."

In other bases throughout the AOR, Airmen are paired up with Soldiers or members from other services to share base security responsibilities. While controlling the security element for one of the largest bases in Northern Iraq is no small task for the squadron, these Airmen are perfectly capable of this large undertaking, said Chief Master Sgt. Malone Smith, 506th ESFS superintendent, deployed from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.

"In many ways, this is what security forces members have been training to do for years," he said. "It's very similar to the security we provide back home. Many of the techniques we use to defend the base are consistent, but our responses are different because we're in a combat zone."

The 506th ESFS is the largest squadron at Kirkuk and is composed of both active duty and reserve Airmen from more than 15 bases.

Though the squadron performs their security forces mission from inside the wire, many 506th ESFS Airmen spend their days keeping a close watch outside the wire from guard towers beside the perimeter.

The squadron is also home to several groups of Airmen trained in specific security forces specialties. One of these groups, a close precision engagement team, provides counter-sniper fire to target threats against U.S. and coalition forces in the area.

A team of security forces Airmen also operates the Raven-B, an unmanned aerial vehicle, from within the wire to provide over-watch and protective measures for servicemembers operating outside the wire.

"Our U.S. Army brethren here operate outside the wire where most of our enemies are located," Colonel Hurley said. "Our mission is to provide a secure environment for them when they return. We do that by aggressively controlling the battlespace inside the wire. The mission outside the wire couldn't be accomplished here if the Airmen weren't providing security inside the wire."

The 506th ESFS mission at Kirkuk not only shows the capabilities of deployed Airmen can't be measured in sorties alone, but also the multitudes of mission which security forces have performed flawlessly in recent years, Chief Smith said.

"This shows that security forces - no matter the place, time or day - have the tactical and technical competence to accomplish the mission," the chief said. "Whether it's the flightline or complete perimeter, our Airmen are out there proving they have the proficiency to get the job done."