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407th ESFS graduates 300th augmentee

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron graduated its 300th Air Force augmentee at the 407th Air Expeditionary Group Oct. 30.

“This is a very important milestone,” said Tech. Sgt. Ronnie Jones, 407th ESFS augmentee trainer. “Myself and Tech. Sgt. Lacey Bunkelman [407th ESFS augmentee trainer] was tasked with ensuring we had 300 personal qualified and ready upon activation. Initially, we started off with zero, so to get to this 300 plus mark is definitely a landmark."

The augementee program trains Airmen from various career fields to assist security forces during a manning shortage.

“The augmentee program is important because it has the footprint of the security forces operation,” said Jones. “In the event of a [Force Protection Condition] fluctuation, we would need additional forces to support our security forces. These individuals, at a minimum, have the requirements to fill an augmentee position.”

During the course, augmentees learn basic security forces skills such as how to properly search someone, weapon familiarization and entry procedures.
“This class is very in depth, so I think it’s very successful,” said Senior Airmen Matthew Williams, 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuel system maintenance and volunteer augmentee. “My end game is to be TACP, so I might as well learn to handle anyone I come into contact with.”

After reaching the 300th Air Force augmentee, Buchelman said that their next goal is to start training Marines in the program.