Base Readiness Exercise

SOUTHWEST ASIA ? Senior Airman Matthew Munday, 64th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron M-249 squad automatic weapon gunner, responds to a scenario during a recent base-wide exercise at an undisclosed location. The exercise tested both unit readiness and the base?s ability to operate while under attack. Airmen Munday is deployed from the Texas Air National Guard in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Kyle Ray)

Practicing readiness

SOUTHWEST ASIA—Master Sgt. Korie Gavan, 64th Air Expeditionary Group, controls a scenario as part of the base exercise evaluation team at an undisclosed location, recently. The exercise tested unit readiness and the ability to operate during an attack. Sergeant Gavan is deployed from the District of Colombia Air National Guard’s 113th Security Forces Squadron in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kyle Ray)

Ready

SOUTHWEST ASIA--Tech. Sgt. Julio Rodriguez, 64th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, responds to a scenario during a recent base exercise. Members of the 64 ESFS regularly conduct base-wide exercises to ensure readiness and test base first responders. Sergeant Rodriguez is deployed from the California National Guard?s 146th Security Forces Squadron in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kyle Ray)

Teamwork

SOUTHWEST ASIA ? Left, Tech. Sgt. James Anderson, 64th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron base defense operations cell, coordinates the movement of first response personnel as Staff Sgt. Derek Bertram, 64 ESFS, controls traffic during a base-wide exercise at an undisclosed location. The exercise tested both unit readiness and the ability to operate while under attack. Sergeant Anderson is deployed from the District of Colombia Air National Guard and Sergeant Bertram is deployed from the Minnesota Air National Guard; both are deployed in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kyle Ray)

64 AEG forges international friendships

Published Dec. 19, 2009
By Capt. Martha Petersante-Gioia
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Total Force -- defined by many senior leaders as the complete cohesion of active-duty, Reserve and National Guard forces to form a seamlessly integrated unit where one cannot differentiate members.

Geographically separated from the daily operations of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, there is a group of Airmen charged with maintaining both base security and support operations for deployed servicemembers and Department of Defense contractors who are just that.

At an undisclosed location in the Middle East, the men and women of the 64th Air Expeditionary Group, comprised of approximately 300 security forces and support Airmen, are on the job 24/7 performing various roles to ensure the contracted Department of Defense employees have the ability to train the local host nation.

The defenders, many of whom hail from various National Guard units throughout the U.S., are led by a man who varies his wardrobe from ABUs in theater to suits with the FBI back at home station. They train regularly to ensure readiness and also foster continued unit cohesion.

"Through an evolution of changes, the 64th has become an expeditionary group standing guard everyday to help forge and sustain a relationship with our host nation," said Col. Scott Young, 64 AEG commander. "They do this by providing a safe haven and support for the Security Assistance Organizations here. This partnership with our host nation is critical to the strategic goals and defense of our own nation."

During a recent tour, I had the privilege to meet some of these defenders who are working hard to ensure the continued security for both the men and women of the 64 AEG but also the numerous contractors and their families who also call this location home. They were visibly proud when briefing about their jobs and specific roles in the Area of Responsibility; their pride was evident in their actions and the way they described their mission. It may seem small to some - to protect a small, but established post, however, these defenders are ready at a moment's notice, if needed.

But in the deployed environment, it takes everyone working together to create a community and the personnel charged with base support functions do just that. These Airmen bring that letter or care package from a loved one, ensure there is hot water, provide meals in the dining facilities and provide medical care.

These are the personnel who in the course of their daily duties ensure, and many times improve, the morale of everyone on the installation. With the turn of a wrench or the switch of a button, the 64th Expeditionary Support Squadron Airmen, who are a small minority of the base population, keep this small city functioning and enabling the mission needs are met.

"These men and women are an essential part of this mission 24/7," Colonel Young said, referencing his entire Group. "I'm proud of what they do and to stand alongside them as a member of the 64 AEG."