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Fly Away Security Team provides peace of mind in remote locations

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jack Sanders
  • 451st Air Expeditionary Wing
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Members of the 451st Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron fly away security teams accompany heavy aircraft missions to provide security for aircrews and aircraft in locations that may have little to no security assets.

Many missions take Airmen to locations that require them to take necessary risks. One way security forces Airmen are helping to lessen these risks is with FAST.

"We provide security for the aircraft and the members onboard," said Tech. Sgt. Shaun Bush, 451st ESFS FAST coordinator. "We also do flight deck denial."

Flying with aircrews allows FAST members to see many different locations.

"We get to fly all over, and it really gives you a feel of Afghanistan," said Senior Airman Justin Kinkade, 451st ESFS FAST team lead. "Some of the places can be very beautiful, while others you're just on edge the whole time you're there."

Bush said FAST members are required to judge situations and weigh the best solution for the best outcome in a matter of seconds.

"Some of the airfields we land at have little to no security, so at any point something could happen," Bush said. "My guys are tasked to make split-second decisions if they need to. They always keep in mind the safety of the aircrews as well as the cost of the assets they're responsible for. For example a C-130 Hercules is roughly $60 million. That's a big responsibility to ensure it's protected."

Bush said it's the FAST constant presence as a deterrence that gets the job done.

"We are constantly scanning, looking around, and playing 'what if' scenarios in our minds," said Staff Sgt. Steve McCoy, 451st ESFS FAST team lead. "It may look at times like we're just standing there, but that's not the case."

Ground security requires vigilance and presence of mind, Bush said. But, ground security is only one aspect of the FAST job. Depending on the mission, the FAST might have multiple layers of protection to provide including dedicated team members for aerial security and flight deck denial.

"It's very nice having them onboard because it allows us to do our job without worrying about security," said 1st Lt. Joseph Hunt, 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules pilot. "Especially during the retrograde process with the limited security some locations offer -- to know that the FAST team is there."

With peace of mind, pilots are able to get the mission accomplished with little to no distractions. Bush said that's the goal for the teams.

"My guys do a great job," Bush said. "Since we've been here we've had one incident, and it was handled properly. Our job can be at times stressful; it's very up and down. They're on a frantic schedule. But, for the most part we love what we do, and it's a good mission. It's one of the better missions you can do at a deployed location as security forces."

As forces at Kandahar continue to retrograde, the FAST crews will ensure security for aircrews and aircraft in any location.