Year of the Defender: 50th Security Forces Squadron investigations flight keeps Schriever safe

  • Published
  • 50th Space Wing Public Affairs

The 50th Security Forces Squadron investigation flight embodies Air Force leadership’s “Year of the Defender” campaign by keeping every unit on Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, safe and secure.

The flight conducts internal security, crucial to the base’s ability to protect mission success and advance its objectives and is responsible for handling situations involving criminal, fraud, counterintelligence and internal security concerns.

According to John Camacho, 50th SFS noncommissioned officer in charge investigations, their flight also fulfill the intelligence role for the squadron.

“The intelligence part of our mission is important,” Camacho said. “If we do not provide precise intelligence to the end-user, it will have a significant effect on the thousands of personnel on the base and especially the assets we have here.”

Kyle Maldonado, 50th SFS investigator, said investigations have an elevated need for the professionalism and approachability required by all defenders and it is gauged from the beginning in the hiring process.

“As an investigator you need the capability to talk to anyone, in some cases you have to brief leadership. You can’t be rigid in any of these engagements, maintaining a professional candor with individuals regardless of their status,” Maldonado said. 

Another requirement is to attend the Military Police Investigators Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

“The course is about two months in length,” Camacho said. “The course is different each week. The scope of knowledge within the course ranges from law to information technology.”

50th SFS investigations, through their diligence in both aspects of their mission successfully and innovatively execute today’s operations.

“We are well versed in recognizing deviations in regards to security,” Maldonado said. “We are constantly striving to improve our processes and bolster security to ensure we remain the master of space.”

Camacho said the most rewarding part of being in 50th SFS investigations is his role in providing investigation information to commanders.

“We have to hold our people accountable,” he said. “Sometimes people are fast to jump to conclusions. To me one of the most rewarding parts of my job is getting to say let’s hold off on the conclusions and investigate this a little more and find out what’s really going on.”

Camacho emphasized the importance of Air Force leadership recognizing defenders.

“I think it puts a spotlight on security forces members, letting us know from top to bottom we are seen and heard,” said Camacho, 50th SFS. “Sometimes our gate guards may feel undervalued, when in fact it is one of the most important roles a defender can fulfill. The initiative also lets those not as informed on what we do learn there are a lot more moving parts to security forces than what they may see.” 

This article is the fifth part of a series highlighting the 50th Security Forces Squadron flights. See future issues of the Schriever Sentinel for more coverage of Year of the defender.