SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Air Force has dubbed 2019 the Year of the Defender, highlighting how Security Forces Airmen contribute to the Air Force mission and support the local communities.
First Lt. Robert Scholl, 50th Security Forces Squadron operations officer, appreciates the recognition for the base’s Defenders.
“Year of the Defender is going to emphasize the role defenders shoulder every day, working diligently to increase our lethality in defending the other war fighters and resources conducting their missions,” he said.
Security Forces is the largest career field in the Air Force with more than 38,000 personnel who serve around the world policing installations, guarding assets vital to national security and ensuring the safety of the people.
At Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, the 50th SFS consists of six flights: operations, training, logistics, plans and programs, standards and evaluations and anti-terrorism.
Operations
The Security Forces Operations flight conducts and executes all of security and law enforcement requirements to ensure the installation is hardened. Operations controls all entry and exit of the installation, identification vetting, vehicle inspections, hand-carried item inspections and daily Random Anti-Terrorism Measures.
On the security side, the flight responds to all alarm activations, duress incidents and situations out of the ordinary to ensure degradation of mission capabilities are mitigated and thwarted.
In regards to law enforcement, flights conduct traffic enforcement, speed monitoring, citing traffic violations and controlling traffic flow for large events, as well as responding to all medical responses on base and incidents within base housing.
“Being a Security Forces member means being entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that all personnel and resources under our scope of responsibility are able to safely and effectively support the warfighting mission,” Scholl said.
Training
The 50th Security Forces Training section is responsible for training and certifying all members assigned to the 50th SFS on all aspects of integrated defense.
Senior Master Sgt. Jerrold Jackson, 50th SFS superintendent of operations,
“We develop additional training courses geared toward defending installations against new adversaries and potential challenges we are subject to face such as active shooter responses and gate runners,” Senior Master Sgt. Jerrold Jackson, 50th SFS superintendent of operations, said.
The training flight is also responsible for the training of Security Forces Augmentation Force, consisting of career fields and mission partners outside of Security Forces to enhance the installation’s overall base defense.
The training flight’s day-to-day operations consists of conducting training in various law enforcement, security and combat-related duties associated with operations at home and abroad.
Logistics
The 50th Security Forces Logistics section is responsible for the supply, budget planning and execution, combat arms training and maintenance, unit deployment management and vehicle support for the Squadron. Logistic’s day-to day-mission consists of making a continuous effort to determine what defenders need to be successful and ensuring the needs are met within current budget constraints.
Master Sgt. Jason Bateman, 50th SFS logistics and readiness flight chief, said the most rewarding part of his flight’s mission is learning the need of the unit and finding solutions to fill.
“We provide all the equipment the defenders need to accomplish the mission. Without logistics and readiness, the mission just doesn’t get done,” he said.
Additionally, they are responsible for managing deployment rotations of the unit and all associated training and equipment. The combat arms section inspects and maintains all the weapons systems and approximately $1.2 million in weapons, ammunition and equipment in the base armory.
Additionally, they are responsible for conducting training for 1,400 combat arms students per year.
Standards and Evaluations
50th Security Forces Standardization and Evaluation Section manages all SFS duty positions, certifications and evaluations and provide certified, qualified and well-trained defenders for the Air Force. Additionally, they manage the squadron’s inspection program and all certifications for the Security Forces Squadron members.
Tech. Sgt. Spencer Wallace, 50th SFS Standards and Evaluation flight chief, explained his flight is the gatekeeper for ensuring everyone is safe.
“Our section provides certified and qualified Security Forces members to post at assigned positions,” he said. “Defenders cannot carry out their assigned daily duties without being certified by this section.”
The day-to-day of standards and evaluation consists of conducting duty position certifications with flight personnel. Tasks include conducting practical evaluations, assessing performance-based knowledge and use-of-force scenarios.
Plans and Programs
This flight oversees management and control of both installation and restricted area access. The flight vets all personnel who need access and issue all passes and badges. Additionally, this section works with local law enforcement agencies to ensure information sharing.
Master Sgt. Todd Vidic, 50th SFS plans and programs flight chief, stressed the importance of his flight.
“Without installation access or physical security the global war fighting and national defense missions would not be successful,” he said.
Finally, they oversee the maintenance, operation and certification of Schriever AFB’s complete Intrusion Detection System for the RA and coordinates the Wing Commander’s Integrated Defense plan, overseeing security planning and compliance of all geographically separated units.
Anti-Terrorism
The anti-terrorism flight is responsible for protecting installations at home and abroad by identifying suspicious behavior known to be associated with terrorist activities.
The anti-terrorism flight also provides base leadership with a single focal point for all installation AT and physical security issues that can affect them.
Staff Sgt. Paul Larson, 50th SFS anti-terrorism program manager, said seeing the end product of his mission is rewarding.
“I think it’s rewarding when we get to see all our hard work-all the different phases, projects and coordination come together like pieces of a puzzle,” he said.
Scholl shared similar sentiments when talking about the success of the overall mission.
“Our job is to ensure the installation is able to effectively carry out the mission, but with those missions come security concerns,” Scholl said. “In order to succeed, we all need to be knowledgeable of security and how each Airman plays a role in base defense.”
Continue to check the website for more coverage of the Year of the Defender.