Able to fight, equipped to defend

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Gloria Wilson
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  With today's military operations tempo, many Americans picture military members deployed and the news tends to report on what servicemembers bring to the fight in locations like Iraq, Afghanistan and other far-off lands. But while the United States' men and women in uniform uphold freedom on foreign soil, they also have a job here in the U.S.

Airmen from the 354th Security Forces Squadron here understand that job. Everyday they ready their weapons or tool of their specialty, place on their beret and prepare themselves for what that particular day will bring. They defend against threats, both foreign and domestic as they have sworn to do.

"Whether abroad or at homestation our mission is important," said Capt. Jason Daniels 354th SFS operations officer. "We are asking more of our Airmen and with the rate of contingency deployments we are also counting more on technology. Our Airmen have stepped up to the challenge and while they are assets themselves they have also learned to use other assets available making them a lean, but exceptionally capable force."

Security forces members receive training in their technical school, but with threats ever changing they must keep their skills sharp to stay ready.

Tech. Sgt. Dennis Keller, a 354th SFS flight chief, said that in addition to mandatory squadron training, flight level exercises are conducted daily. These exercises are where SF members go through scenarios such as high-risk traffic stops, alarm activations, domestic disturbances, bomb threats, gate runners, hostage situations and more.

"Waiting until something happens isn't the time to figure out what needs to be done so we train and practice," he said.

In addition to what most security forces members do on a day-to-day basis, they are SFS Airmen who specialize in certain areas and just like all "cops" they are no strangers to training.

One of the specialized areas is the equivalent of what most people refer to as a SWAT -- known at Eielson as a Special Emergency Response Team.

Comprised of SFS members, SERT specializes in hostage situations, barricaded subjects, counter-terrorism and basically any situation where their unique skill set can be used in defense of Eielson.

There is a stringent selection process to become a SERT member, said Master Sgt. Shawn Cox, Eielson's SERT team chief. They have to have the right personality, be physically fit, be able to think on their feet and be dedicated. They exceed in all areas.

Sergeant Cox said he has full confidence in their abilities and that they train for common scenarios as well as the unexpected. "SERT is there to get the bad guys, and I'm confident that's what they'll do when needed."

Staff Sgt. Dean Martinez, currently an Eielson SERT member, has had his share of training as he was also on Hill Air Force Base's "SWAT" team for five years.

"I have trained with civilian SWAT, FBI, police departments, other military branches and more," said Sergeant Martinez. "The various courses I've gone to and the experiences I've gained, have made me more confident, have increased my abilities and knowledge and have prepared me for what at times can be a controlled chaos environment."

The training SERT members go through makes them a formidable force and they also have tools to make their job easier such as ram breeching devices and bulletproof shields. Tools have a place in the fight regardless of a security forces airman's specialty and technology has its place in the mix of things also.

One of the ways technology has helped is it has "brought the base to SFS." On top of being able to be somewhere and see what's going on in person, nowadays security forces has additional eyes to help them remain vigilant without ever leaving the office.

These cameras offer a 360 degree view and zoom in with the touch of a button.

Senior Airman Dawn Tavenner, Eielson Emergency Communication Center dispatcher, is one of the SFS Airman who controls these eyes.

"We have a large number of cameras on base," said Airman Tavenner. "They're great we can zoom in on license plates and even use the camera to assist with vehicle searches. It's that detailed."

The cameras cover various areas all over base such as buildings, the flightline, even the Richardson highway.

Captain Daniels said that the cameras on base as well as the alarm system is a great force multiplier and enhances a SFS member's job in many ways. He said they can see an area, assess the situation and have an idea of what's going on before boots are even on the ground.

"In today's day and age the main thing is quality not quantity, you can't substitute the value of a trained SFS Airmen," said Captain Daniels. "The combination of technology, the specialized training available to us, and the caliber of our Airmen makes us more than capable to accomplish our mission."