News

Security forces Reservists make a difference

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jake Chappelle
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Three Airmen from the 446th Security Forces Squadron are almost half way through their deployment to Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq. They left McChord AFB in July and are scheduled to return in March 2009. 

Tech. Sgt. Michael Pate, assistant training manager, Tech. Sgt. Richard Shumate, Raven program manager, and Staff Sgt. Shaun Feero, assistant unit deployment manager, are attached to the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

"Our mission is to defend the base," said Sergeant Feero. "Without base defense operations, terrorist organizations would have a stronghold in the area of Kirkuk and northern Iraq because flying operations and Army convoys would not be able to function."
Sergeant Pate breaks the 24-hour, 365 days a year job down simply. 

"We're here to ensure that the base remains safe for everyone here," said Sergeant Pate. "We help keep the base safe at night, so everyone can sleep knowing the bad guys can't get in and the guys out on missions have a safe home to come back to. No getting off and heading home to the family for dinner. It's in the towers, in the dirt, and it's been a while since we've driven faster than 25 miles per hour." 

Keeping people safe requires a multitude of skills. 

"I work as a radio telephone operator," said Sergeant Feero. "I dispatch patrols to Tactical Automated Security Systems alarms, dispatch patrols to points of impact for cordons, and make sure posts and patrols are aware of ALARM conditions. My duties are to detect, warn, delay, and defeat any hostile act against the installation." 

Sergeant Pate is the mid-night shift radio and telephone operator at the Base Defense Operations Center. In addition, he serves as the Tactical Liaison NCO between the Army and the Air Force security forces to make sure that both groups are on the same page. 

Despite the high-risk hazards of the job, security forces Reservists make the choice to be mobilized. 

"I volunteered for this deployment," said Sergeant Feero. "I feel it is not only my duty, but I would like to be a part of something that makes a difference in our country's future."
Sergeant Pate agrees. 

"It's what we all raised our hands to," said Sergeant Pate. "I take personal pride when we're out here doing our jobs. It's long hours and a lot of adrenaline and excitement. We don't do it for praise or some special bullet. It's what we are and what we do."