Base defense not just security forces' job

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Angela Ruiz
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  (Editor's note: This is the first part in a three part series highlighting the 8th Fighter Wing mission, and what it taks of the men and women of the Wolf Pakc to successfully complete that mission.)

Defend the base ... accept follow-on forces ... take the fight north!

These three simple phrases that make up the 8th Fighter Wing's mission statement are memorized by Airmen here within days of arriving in Korea. While the opening phrase, "Defend the Base," may at first glance appear to be only a security forces mission; it in fact requires contributions from every Airman and unit here.

The majority of the base defense mission falls squarely on the shoulders of the defenders of the 8th Security Forces Squadron.

"We lead that charge by providing premier base defense," said Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Blake, 8th SFS operations superintendent. "We defend the base with our motivated defenders. We have integrated base defense--where we have our normal day to day security forces along with our K-9 units with the Korean Air Force and Army we integrate these individuals--into one cohesive team"

The 8th SFS is comprised of more than 250 defenders divided into different sections that support the base including military working dogs, investigations, town patrol in International Cultural Village and Gunsan City, police services, training, and four operational flights--Avengers, Bulldogs, Cobra and Demons.

The squadron works closely with the Korean National Police, as well as the Republic of Korea Air Force military police.

"The Air Base Defense staff works closely with host nation counterparts to enable their smooth integration into base defense operations for both on- and off-base responsibilities," said Sergeant Blake. "We have five interpreters and if there are any incidents that occur (off base) we coordinate with KNP."

But defending the base is not solely the responsibility of the security forces squadron. Many Kunsan Airmen find themselves operating outside of their usual skill sets as security forces augmentees or selective arming team members.

"Our augmentee training program is a five-day course," said Sergeant Blake. "(It's) basically a familiarization to the augmentee on use of force, how to maneuver and how to defend themselves."

The course consists of class room and a field training exercise where the students put all of their newly learned skills together he said.

Other Kunsan Airmen assist in the security forces mission in a different way--instead of augmenting security forces directly The selective arming program, or SELARM, allows units to provide their own security for key facilities.

"Kunsan does SELARM in order to assist security forces and the augmentee program," said Staff Sgt. Melvin Hunt, 8th SFS. "SELARM is the last line of defense for critical facilities that could be damaging to the mission capabilities if that facility is taken over by hostiles."

Units such as the 8th Medical Group, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 8th Communications Squadron, to name a few, identify Airmen to be trained and armed in order to provide security for their own facilities. 

The Airmen are integrated into SFS' overall base defense mission, but retain their own identity when it comes to the security fo their facilities, said Seregant Hunt.

"But they still work in conjunction with the defense sectors, still operate the same radio frequencies and still report to the same agencies, " he added.

According to Senior Airman Jeffrey Stepp, a SELARM member with the 8th CS, the program relieves some of the base defense workload from SFS and allows them to better organize their forces to complete that mission.

"We need security forces on that wall, and they need to be out there holding the line," he said. "(But) security forces can't do everything."

"I believe it's important to have SELARM because it gives everybody a lot more ownership of the facilities that they have," added Sergeant Hunt, "and an understanding how detrimental it would be if we lost the capabilities of those facilities."

To the men and women of the 8th SFS, augmentees and SELARM team members, those three simple words--"Defend the Base"--are not only the star of teh Wing mission, but may be some of the most important.

"It's important to make sure people can sleep at night in peace," said Sergeant Blake. "When you go to bed I'm sure you're not worrying about someone coming across the fence, and the reason for that is you know you are being protected.

"You want me on that wall. You need me on that wall."