Getting to know the new Air Force Security Forces Center commander

  • Published
  • AFIMSC Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – Col. Phillip Born took commander of the Air Force Security Forces Center, JBSA-Lackland, July 20. 

One of four Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center primary subordinate units, the AFSFC is responsible for organizing, training and equipping more than 38,000 security forces Airman and Guardians across the Total Force. 

As commander, Born directs the day-to-day operations of the center and is supported by a cross-functional team of security forces, intelligence, office of special investigation, explosives ordnance disposal, medical, scientific, communications, engineering, logistics and acquisition program management personnel.

We asked the colonel a few questions about his life, his career and his thoughts on joining the AFIMSC team.

Time in service?
25+ years, commissioned 1997

Hometown?
Tucson, Arizona

Can you tell us a little about your career leading up to this point?
This is my 15th assignment. I’ve been all over the world, six deployments and I’m a three-time squadron commander (Al Udeid, Qatar; Kandahar, Afghanistan; and at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado). Most recently I was the chief of security forces for U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and before that I was just down the road as Lackland’s 37th Training Wing vice commander. All were special.  

What about your new role has you the most excited?
The ability to impact the Air Force around the world. This job is unique in that the actions we take and products we turn out are applicable to and affect Defenders in the field everywhere. 
 
What do you want the AFIMSC team to know about you?
I’m humbled to join the team and looking forward to working across the IMSC enterprise to enable the Air Force mission.  

What do you like most about working for the Air Force?
The people. You can say what you want about assignment locations -- some great, some not as great -- but the one thing that has always held true is you meet some amazing people and make life-long bonds.  

What's something people would be surprised to know about you?
When I first started, I never planned on making the Air Force a career but I soon found out that this was an amazing opportunity and it has been an incredible journey.