Security forces on bike patrol

  • Published
  • By Mark Munsey
  • 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  For 15th Security Force Squadron Senior Airmen Brandon Popa and Charles Lopez, stopping by the armory with the rest of the patrol team isn't enough.

After strapping on their Berretta nine-millimeters, the two Airmen, decked out in gear that would make Johnny Cash proud, have one more stop to make: go get their Smith and Wesson on.

Their 24-gear Smith and Wesson 'Perimeter' mountain bikes are designed and acquired specifically for security duties where mobility and element of surprise are key. Thanks to a design-standard silent-hubs gear system, the bike has the noise equivalent of stealth technology, making it the least popular new sets of wheels at both base schools.

"The bikes are maneuverable enough that we can cover even the most remote parts of the school grounds," Airman Lopez said. "It's always funny to see the student's faces when we round a corner to where they know they're not supposed to be."

The bikes are also fitted with Hasselhoff-free Night Rider Digital Patrol System that includes flip-down (flashing light) lenses and an ear-piercing modular bike siren.

"The bike runs silent," Airman Lopez said, "except when we want to announce our presence with authority."

Biking up to 25 miles a shift, it pays to appreciate how both a properly-fueled diet and comfort being swarmed by curious base keiki play equal importance in a successful duty day, according to Airman Popa, a Hawaiian Air National Guard 154th Wing member currently on a one-year active duty tour with the 15th SFS.

"The kids in housing have all kinds of questions," he said, the most common being the truth-testing "how fast can you guys go?"

Schools and base housing aren't the only areas on the biker's path, according to Senior Master Sgt. Ricky Bargmon, 15th SFS Operations superintendent.

"Their main areas of responsibility are in the more congested areas of Hickam like the BX, commissary and housing areas," he said. "This enhances the response time and provides a sense of security to the patrons in the shopping areas."

Just ask the collection of base juveniles who have been processed for shoplifting at the exchange.

Even in these early stages, it's clear both the housing residents and the bicyclists that patrol them benefit from the new program, according to Staff Sgt. Brandon Wylie, 15th SFS Bike Patrol and Resource Protection noncommissioned officer in charge.

"Our bike patrolman has more opportunities to strengthen their talents in the community-oriented policing techniques," he said. "By getting into the communities and talking to the kids or answering questions base residents may have, we hope it helps to make the public less apprehensive about contacting law enforcement officers in time of need."

Anyone trapped so close to the base exit during last Friday's accident or who attended the base 4th of July celebration was witness to the biker's contribution to the on-going evolution of base security forces: quick and effortless arrival for traffic and crowd control.

"Obviously, the bikes can maneuver through stop-dead traffic and high pedestrian movement with greater ease than our patrol cars," Sergeant Wylie shared.

Currently, there is a pair of bike-patrolman teams. The plans are to quadruple that number by month's end, a timetable with no greater champion that Maj. Michael Florio, 15th SFS commander.

"Personally, I'm excited to get our bike patrol off the ground," he said. "This is a great forum to increase our interaction with our customers, the base populace that we are charged, and proud, to protect."