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Force protection: Facilitating the wing mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Tindol
  • 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Forget what you think you might know about force protection. These personnel don't just sit around and watch Third Country Nationals clean bathrooms. The Force Protection section is comprised of Airmen from 64 different Air Force career fields who volunteered to deploy to augment security operations in Southwest Asia.

They are responsible for mitigating insider threats , maintaining accountability for all TCNs entering our installation and augmenting security operations in increased force protection conditions. They are an integral part of every major base project, supporting civil engineering, airfield operations, force support and communications, as well as many other contracts.

Since they are not serving within their primary specialty, the training they receive is a crucial part of the transition phase into Force Protection. Swaying someone into gathering intelligence or bringing harmful items on base is a realistic danger to the base, so it is crucial that escorts understand their role and maintain constant vigilance.

Force protector training includes core security forces topics such as TCN escort, impact weapons and use of firearms. Firearms is a topic that gets extensive coverage in training and includes subjects such as rules of engagement, use of force, weapons retention, expandable baton and rifle fighting.

Escort duty is another subject that is covered extensively. The training flight conducts specialized and sustainment training every week to broaden and sharpen the skills of the force protectors to create harder targets.

"They are literally down in the dirt watching and keeping eyes on the TCNs," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Tanner, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of training.

Sergeant Tanner also said the newness of their duties does not deter force protectors from doing their jobs, and they are "true warrior Airmen" because of it.

Force protectors bring much more to the fight than a mere augmentation force. By capitalizing on (and combining) the unique expertise and skill sets each of them possess, the base is reaching new milestones in security.

They have been pivotal members of physical and information security workgroups, working with multiple base agencies to enhance overall installation security.

One of the most beneficial things troops receive from force protection duty is the opportunity to work with and get to know individuals in different career fields.

It's an excellent opportunity for a Force Support troop to work hand-in-hand with a crew chief and a medic one day and an electrician and an information manager the next.

"The 386th ESFS is a living example that the whole is better than the sum of its parts," said 1st Lieutenant Yuliya Buquoi, 386th ESFS Force Protection officer in charge. "Working together provides force protectors and security forces alike to have the rare opportunity to see beyond the established career field perspectives and biases and combine individual skills to create something truly outside the box.

"It also gives troops a chance to build personal and professional relationships outside of their career-field and broaden their horizons as Airmen," she added.

With this knowledge and understanding, these highly dedicated and motivated Airmen are ready to fight and win the war on terrorism.