Peterson airman first class, Columbia native, serves as installation patrolman for Southwest Asia base

Published March 20, 2010
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- In middle-Tennessee, Airman 1st Class Philip Basalyga grew up in Maury County's city of Columbia. With just over 34,000 residents, Columbia's historical past and small-town atmosphere were one of the driving forces for Airman Basalyga to join the military more than one year ago.

"I'm proud of where I am from and I'm not only honored, but privileged to serve in America's armed forces," said Airman Basalyga, who is a security forces apprentice with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. "Though I am only 19 years old, America has given me so much already as a citizen. I feel the best way to 'pay it back' is to serve the country I live in. America has given us freedoms and opportunities that no other countries even dream of, and I am proud to serve her anywhere, anytime, anyplace. Wherever the flag goes, I go."

In his deployed position, Airman Basalyga supports the security and force protection efforts of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. This effort, as an installation patrolman and security force Airman overall, includes watching over thousands of people and billions of dollars worth of equipment and aircraft.

"I provide internal and external base security," said Airman Basalyga, who is deployed from the 21st Security Forces Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. "I could be located in a 50-foot tower overwatching entry and exit into the installation, in a tactical vehicle patrolling the base perimeter, or ensuring that personnel and vehicles entering the restricted areas of the flightline have the proper credentials. Aside from security duties unique to this base, I also perform routine police work on the main areas of the base such as patrolling the common areas, responding to fire alarms and initiating evacuation procedures of the affected areas, and of course everyone's favorite -- watching for speeders, people 'rolling' at stop signs in their vehicles, not utilizing signals at turns and reckless driving."

Security forces Airmen like Airman Basalyga receive a host of specialized training to complete their deployed mission. According to his Air Force job description, Airman Basalyga is required to be able to lead, manage, supervise and perform force protection duties to include the use of deadly force to protect personnel and resources. He's also required to perform air base defense functions contributing to the force protection mission which includes controlling and securing terrain inside and outside military installations.

"Besides the fact that security is required wherever and whenever the Air Force goes anywhere, security in a deployed location is even more crucial," Airman Basalyga said. "We are in a foreign land where there are people who can and will attempt to attack, destroy and stop our mission. These threats to our personnel and resources will never sleep, never give up, and never stop. That is why we as security forces are here to detect, identify, deter and if need be, neutralize, these threats. We work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to do this. Security never sleeps."

In addition to doing his job of defending personnel, equipment and resources from hostile forces, security response team members like Airman Basalyga are capable of operating in various field environments and can perform individual and team patrol movements. Those movements include both mounted and dismounted patrols, tactical drills, battle procedures, convoys, military operations other than war, antiterrorism duties and other special duties, according to the official job description.

Furthermore, security forces are able to operate communications equipment, vehicles, intrusion detection equipment, crew-served weapons and other special purpose equipment. As first responders, they can also apply self-aid buddy care and other life-saving procedures at accident and disaster scenes. With law enforcement, security forces are capable to apprehend and detain suspects, search persons and property, secures crime and incident scenes, and collect, seize and preserve evidence.

Airman Basalyga is on his first overseas deployment for six months. The one-year veteran of the Air Force said has been a learning experience for him.

"Being deployed is tough," Airman Basalyga said. "Some places are tougher than others, no doubt. You are away from friends, family and pretty much everything you love. However, being deployed has many benefits. More than a prettier paycheck every two weeks, this deployment has shown me how hundreds and thousands of people not only from different career fields, squadrons, or bases, but from every single walk of life can come together to accept, perform and complete the mission all day, every day. The camaraderie and friendship with people I have made on this deployment will stay with me forever. I don't think I could get that anywhere else in the world."

The 380th ESFS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.