News

446th SFS deploy in time for Independence Day

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Minnette Mason
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Citizen Airmen from the 446th Security Forces Squadron left for a six-month deployment to various locations across Southwest Asia from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport July 1.

Some Airmen have already been in place since March. By the Fourth of July, more than 40 personnel from the squadron will be deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

"July Fourth is when we recognize when our country was founded, the principles that we stand for, and the people who serve our country," said Col. Bryan Runion, 446th Mission Support Group commander. "These guys are deploying when a lot of us are doing summer vacations; they are serving their country during that time, and taking time away from their families."

This is only the second time 446th SFS personnel have been tasked for a mass deployment since Sept. 11, 2001. The most recent group deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq, in 2009. Most of the Airmen will provide base flightline protection throughout the area of operations, while others will secure and manage weapons in the armories.

This tasking will be the first rotation for many of the Airmen, such as Senior Airman Kyle Knoblock, 446th SFS journeyman. Knoblock recently got married and says he is "really excited."

"I've been counting down the days," he added. "I just want to get down there already, and apply what I've been training for."

Master Sgt. Rick Shumate serves as the 446th SFS Alpha Flight chief here and is part of the deploying group. He said he wants junior Airmen to use this deployment as an opportunity to gain expertise in their jobs.

"We're trying to make this a positive experience for the younger troops," he said.

On the other hand, some SFS personnel have deployed several times.

"Every chance I got, I went," said Tech. Sgt. Beth Parker-Henderson, 446th SFS unit deployment manager, who was part of the most recent group that left. This deployment makes a total of nine rotations throughout her career in the Air Force Reserve.

According to the Air Force fact sheet, "Security Forces personnel are the Air Force's first line of defense. They are responsible for ensuring the safety of all base weapons, property and personnel from hostile forces. Security Forces personnel also train dog teams in all aspects of canine law enforcement and are occasionally assigned to an armory to control and safeguard arms, ammunition and equipment."

Currently, more than 22,000 Airmen from the Reserve, Air National Guard and active duty are deployed to more than 90 locations.