SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airmen with the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron recently opened a reporting station at the Coalition Compound entry control point to be closer to base living areas.
The base defense operation center substation will help servicemembers file reports for minor vehicle accidents, lost property or lost identity cards 24 hours a day without the need to travel across base by shuttle bus to file one at the main BDOC, effectively shortening customer response times.
"This is sort of a step toward community-oriented policing -- putting us out closer to the community. There is less driving and less hassle and the service will be quicker as opposed to coming up all the way to BDOC for something as simple as a lost ID card," said Capt. Michael Jewell, 379th ESFS operations officer. "Our vision is to handle every customer-oriented task we do at BDOC at the CC gate."
BDOC operators monitor and respond to several alarms and facilities within the base perimeter, and track all flightline entry and exit. BDOC controllers handle customer reports for lost ID cards, vehicle accidents, off-base travel violations, and general order one violations.
When the fire department and medical ambulance respond, they dispatch patrols to assist, whether it requires cordons, safety or in-flight emergency support, said Sergeant Rodriguez-Thillet, who emphasized that the BDOC supports Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and transients as well as wing Airmen. BDOC is the nerve center for base defense activities. The substation will effectively separate most of the reporting activities from the base defense activities and let each area specialize.
The overall goal is to restructure collection of customer service issues, said Staff Sgt. David Rodriguez-Thillet, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron BDOC controller, deployed from the 96th SFS at Eglin AFB, Fla. Sometimes patrolmen are handling multiple alarms and a customer will come in about a lost ID card, which he said comprises the majority of walk-in reports. Having the second station near the living areas will not only help security forces but also help the customer complete the reporting process sooner.
Approximately six months ago, security forces first looked at a substation concept in an effort to reduce congestion at the BDOC and increase efficiency for common reports. Squadron leadership identified reports where servicemembers were traveling to BDOC but were required to return to CC or Blatchford-Preston Complex for additional paperwork or signatures.
"We could do it just as easily and it could be a more timely response over there in the CC compound gate. We had extra space in the gate shack that wasn't being fully used. This is now the first stop they can make," said Captain Jewell, who hails from Altus, Okla.
With personnel changes from rotations, no one person made it happen. 379th ESFS teamed up with the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron for computer support and the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron who ensured power requirements were met.
"In house, we got the supplies and resources to set it up like a patrolmen's office. It really was a group effort with a lot of help from civil engineers and communications Airmen," said Captain Jewell.
The station office now has the non-commissioned officers and capability to conduct interviews and gather statements for reports. If needed, a patrol will also respond to assist filing the report at the substation. Reports can still be filed at the Ops Town BDOC.
"You will never get turned away from BDOC to go to coalition compound to file a report. This is just a substation, a duplication of effort to better use the facilities, tap into resources that we have on that side of the base, and relieve some work to disperse it more evenly," said Captain Jewell.
"It is going to be a learning experience for the Airmen at the ECP, especially the young Airmen on their first deployment who do not have a lot of experience with law enforcement," said Sergeant Rodriguez-Thillet, who hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
There are very few places where a senior airman or a young staff sergeant will have command and control for up to a 100 people and the responsibility of securing the airfield so the base can fly the air tasking order, said Captain Jewell.
There are required skills to be a controller. Many security forces Airmen identified themselves as having the necessary experience and training, said Captain Jewell. After evaluation, they are assigned to the station.
"These guys have a lot of responsibility in their hands and they all stepped up to the challenge. They are sharp to begin with. They volunteered for this added responsibility," said Captain Jewell. "They really go above and beyond as staff sergeants and senior airmen."