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Security Forces members stand FAST

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nora Eyle
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Three 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron fly away security team (FAST) members flew their 15th mission from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan recently. 

Senior Airman Michael Madden and Airman 1st Class Bobbie Ohm went to Kabul, Kandahar, Harat and Salerno, all Forward Operating Bases throughout Afghanistan, to hit their milestone mark on June 15. 

For most of their six-month deployment, FAST missions were purely voluntary and something trained security forces squadron personnel could sign up for only on their down days. 

"To accomplish 15 FAST flights shows a great dedication to the mission," said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Ilsley, FAST program noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "While most Airmen use their downtime to unwind and relax, these defenders were forward deployed to nearly every hot spot in the area of operations to ensure the Air Force maintained its airlift capabilities." 

FAST missions require security forces squadron personnel to have additional training so that team members can provide flight deck denial and protect the perimeter of the aircraft at unsecured locations. 

"I volunteered to fly on FAST missions, because it's nice to be able to do something different every once in awhile," said Airman Ohm.
 
Although the job can be dangerous, and it goes without saying that these Airmen never let down their guard, they are grateful and proud to have gone on FAST missions. 

"This gives us a unique opportunity that a lot of Airmen don't get to experience," said Airman Madden. "We get to see a lot of things, visit more of Afghanistan ... we've seen so many places here that are really beautiful." 

Very few Security Forces Team members ever reach the 15 flight milestone, because many Security Forces members want to go on FAST missions and not every flight requires their presence.
 
Staff Sgt. William Lagares flew his final FAST mission on June 12.
 
"Sgt. Lagares, Airman Madden and Airman Ohm have stepped up and have a great mission focus," said Major Ken Ohlson, 455th ESFS commander. "They have all routinely given up days off to meet mission requirements, and I cannot ask for much more from my Airman in this area of operations."
 
One unique opportunity Senior Airman Madden will remember is providing security on a flight that the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan flew on.
 
"The best part of the job is working with different aircrews, we get to meet a lot of interesting people and I got to fly with President Karzai," said Airman Madden with a smile. 

Their presence is especially appreciated by aircrews, because having the FAST members there allows the aircrews, loadmasters and maintainers the necessary security to do their jobs more safely. 

"The ESFS FAST teams are the C-130's last line of defense as we accomplish our mission of delivering personnel, supplies, and ammunition to FOBs," said Lt. Col. Paul Lyman, 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander. "Some of these airfields are extremely remote and have minimal security. I simply would not want to go to some of these places without a FAST team on board."