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FAST teams keep Bagram’s aircraft, crews safe

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  A team of security forces Airmen here have a special mission to protect Air Force aircraft during missions that take them away from the safety of an established base. 

The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's Flyaway Security Teams (FASTs) can vary in numbers, but their primary mission is to detect, deter, and counter threats to U.S. aircraft. FAST teams do this by performing close-in security; advising air crews on force protection measures; and conducting airfield assessments to document existing security measures and vulnerabilities, said Tech Sgt. Sean Reser, the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron FAST program coordinator and trainer. 

Another mission of the FAST teams is flight deck denial, in which team members are responsible for restricting access to the flight deck of an aircraft. 

"Any time an aircraft is transporting more than ten foreign nationals from non-NATO countries, the mission requires a FAST team," said Sergeant Reser. 

The FAST teams are prepared to fly at a moment's notice if need be, and the 455 ESFS maintains a regular schedule of members ready to perform the FAST duties. 

"There are a total of eight members ready fly every day," said Master Sgt. Richard Coats, the squadron's operations superintendent. "On days when all eight don't fly, the remaining members are placed on stand-by to respond to any short-notice missions." 

The FAST teams accomplish their mission in a broad range of environments, throughout the AOR, said Sergeant Coats, who added that whether they are flying to a forward operating base within Afghanistan or to distant countries, the FAST teams are there to ensure the protection of the Air Force's aircraft and its crews.