Feature - Seymour Johnson NCO, De Soto native, keeps vigilant eye on air operations in Southwest Asia

Published July 14, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Southwest Asia -- Staff Sgt. Tommy Dailey is the NCO in charge of the restricted area maintenance team at the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at a non-disclosed base here.

As a security forces Airman, Sergeant Dailey supports all security and force protection efforts for a deployed wing, the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, of more than 1,900 people and for billions of dollars worth of Air Force equipment and assets.

Security forces Airmen like Sergeant Dailey receive a host of specialized training to complete their deployed mission.

According to his Air Force job description, Sergeant Dailey 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.

In addition to doing his job of defending personnel, equipment and resources from hostile forces, security forces members like Sergeant Dailey are capable of operating in various field environments and can perform individual and team patrol movements. Those movements include 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.

Sergeant Dailey said security forces make it possible for everybody else on base to do their jobs.

"You can't fly, fight and win without having security for the installation," he said. "Security forces play a vital role in today's War on Terrorism in many different ways such as K-9, Combat Arms, Force Protection Airborne Surveillance System, TASS, and Ravens. Without these vital roles in the security forces career field, we would not be able to properly secure an installation or its resources, and we wouldn't be able to bring the fight to the enemy on their own grounds."

A typical day at work for Sergeant Dailey includes wearing the latest in battle rattle. This can include the latest in protective armor and combat-ready gear. Additionally, he'll carry a loaded M-4 rifle, and possibly an M-9 pistol, in carrying out his deployed duties.

His Air Force job description also shows 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.

Sergeant Dailey said he is proud to serve here.

"I am honored to be able to serve in the military," Sergeant Dailey said. "It is the people next to me that keep me going each and every day. I am happy to be able to deploy to the enemies door step and take the fight to them!"

Sergeant Dailey is deployed from the 4th Security Forces Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Ala., and his hometown is De Soto Ill.

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 five groups and 18 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, air battle management, 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.

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Seymour Johnson NCO, De Soto native, keeps vigilant eye on air operations in Southwest Asia