Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Paul Richards

Published July 1, 2013
386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Rank/First & Last Name: Staff Sgt. Paul Richards

Deployed Unit: 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

Duty Title: Fly Away Security Team noncommissioned officer

Home unit/station: Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Family's military heritage: My great grandpa served in the Marine Corps during World War II and fought on the island fronts in the Pacific.

What is your mission here? I coordinate all fly missions that require additional security when aircraft fly into austere airfields. We conduct flight deck denial operations for non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization passengers, Prisoner Under Control movements, and distinguished visitor transport security as well.

What are some of the best parts of your mission? The ability to fly with and become a part of the aircrew and see a different side of the Air Force that in some ways is hidden from a majority of security forces personnel. Also, the ability to fly into different countries and meet the people there has opened up my eyes to seeing the different cultures of the Middle East which is something that has always fascinated me.

What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them? I think the biggest challenge we face would be how quickly a mission can happen or change because one can happen at any time. Since I've been here I have changed the way we respond. Everything is pre-positioned at all times and by doing small things, it has cut our response time to the aircraft in half.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? One of the greatest things about security forces is the constant expansion of roles we play in the Air Force. Whether it had been convoy security, personal security, Raven/FAST, detainee ops, outside the wire patrolling, Tactical Security Element, or air base defense, we constantly evolve and learn these new missions and excel at them every day. As we deploy and our environments change so does the threat and the way we react and handle them. These always differ depending on what job we must accomplish. We heighten our awareness and never let the enemy get the best of us.

How many times have you deployed? This is my fourth deployment

What makes this deployment unique? The most important thing to me is the ability to lead my own section as the NCOIC for the first time. Throughout my career I have been brought up and taught by some of the most professional and caring NCO's in the Air Force. These mentors have always inspired me to want to take the charge and lead as they did, to the best of my ability and to inspire the airmen I work for. With these aspirations in mind, I am so grateful for this opportunity to be placed in the position I am in and to be here with such a unique mission for my career field.

Why did you join the Air Force? When I was in high school I was in AF Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and loved every minute of it. That was also when September 11th happened and I remember watching it all occur on the television in the ROTC class room. Ever since that moment I was compelled to join, to serve and to protect my family and friends to try and prevent such a devastating event from ever occurring again.