Our Path to a More Lethal and More Ready Defender!

By BG (Sel) Roy W. Collins, SF Director 24

It has been a fast month stepping in as your new Director of Security Forces. I made a promise during this time to assess where we are and more importantly, how to move us forward.

There is no question that our Security Forces Airmen deserve the absolute best opportunity to achieve their mission, whether it’s in the missile field, on a flight line or at any of our installation access control points. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force demands a More Lethal and More Ready Security Forces enterprise. How can I help you be the best Security Forces Airman you can be? This is the question I strive to answer every day. To that end, we are going back to basics in some regard while also preparing for the future by focusing on Training, Modernizing, Standardizing and Enhancing our Culture and Environment.

Training is the foundation that makes us more lethal and more ready. We will continue to focus and refine our efforts to ensure our Defenders are not only “qualified” but become proficient at the core skills. Repetitive training may not sound exciting but it’s what’s needed to ensure our professionals gain the muscle memory to efficiently respond to any situation to neutralize the threat, both home station and forward deployed. It’s also not just about repetition, which is important, but also the quality of the training our Airmen receive. Training must be executed with the importance it demands because failure to do so can lead to catastrophic consequences. Our National Defense Strategy states that “there is no sanctuary” and our mission remains the same no matter where we don the Blue Beret.

Modernizing our capabilities is a necessity to ensure our Defenders have the best weapons, personal gear, vehicles, communications equipment and command and control platforms. Our Defenders must have the most modernized equipment to provide them with the advantage to detect, deter and defeat the threat in any environment. Many of our Defenders have been achieving the mission without this and I commend you for the great work you’ve done. The budget battle is ongoing, every year, and though you might never hear about the details of these meetings, know your leadership team, with the support of the Chief of Staff, will continue to fight this battle.

Standardizing our equipment where it makes sense, is an important next step to ensure our Defenders possess the same resources and capabilities, no matter where they are. This standardization includes personal protective equipment and our duty equipment utilized every day on post. This will enable us to conduct our home station mission and our forward deployed mission with the same equipment and prevent the need for just-in-time training. Additionally, standardization of equipment will also feed our efforts to provide consistent training, as stated previously.

Enhancing the culture and environment for our Defenders is just as critical as the equipment you need to do your job. I cannot state this strongly enough. As we all know, this past year has been incredibly challenging across the Air Force and unfortunately, there is no magic solution. Trying to change the culture of any group is a difficult challenge because it requires a shift in mindset that happens slowly, one Defender at a time, one interaction at a time. Yes, leadership can and will provide guidance and support BUT we need each Defender to also be committed to a new culture; where connection and belonging matter, where despite your best efforts to handle a task alone, when you ask your wingman for support, they provide it without judgment. It is only in this way that we can be “Defender Strong!”

These focus areas are all critical to our success. We will see some successes and some challenges in this next year. We will learn from those challenges to do better next time and more importantly, we will celebrate each of you for the incredible commitment you show every day, proudly wearing the Blue Beret. It is my honor to serve you and I am extremely excited for what’s to come in this next year!

Protection Strategies Incorporated Hiring

Protection Strategies Incorporated (PSI), a Service Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), engages industry recognized professionals worldwide to provide security management and consultant services to U.S. Departments and Agencies, international organizations, and commercial corporations.

PSI integrates a broad spectrum of security disciplines including: physical, technical, personnel, operational, communications, and cyber. PSI is an industry leader in risk, threat, and vulnerability assessments. We assist our customers in their needs to meet and exceed the compliance of safeguards and security requirements of critical infrastructures and provide the necessary tools to manage risk and strengthen security postures.

PSI is headquartered out of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Our executive leadership is directed by highly recognized security services experts with decades of experience in physical and personnel security, security assessment and management, security program design and implementation, collective bargaining negotiations, and contract management. Our management support groups are comprised of individuals with backgrounds in guard force operations, law-enforcement, military service, federal executive-level positions, and private industry.

PSI lists current openings on the web site at: www.protectionsi.com/careers

Currently there are 37 openings on their CAREERS page and they include:

- Professional Role Player at Protection Strategies Incorporated in Oak Ridge, TN

- Security Specialist at Protection Strategies Incorporated in Germantown, MD

- Personnel Security Assistant at Protection Strategies Incorporated in Washington, DC

- Personnel Security Specialist II at Protection Strategies Incorporated in Huntsville, AL

- Background Investigator II at Protection Strategies Incorporated in Washington, DC

In 2017, the Air Force lost 62 Active Duty Airmen to suicide. Many of those losses being men and wom-en that wore the coveted blue beret. The Brave Badge Initiative is a social media platform that has strengthened the Security Forces community and is focused to changing the culture of every squadron. The founder of The Brave Badge Initiative, TSgt Calin A. Cronin, devised the idea after identifying the need for a crisis platform while stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. After spending the next 6 months engineering the services of the platform, The Brave Badge Initiative was launched in September of 2018, just months after he arrived to Eielson AFB, Alaska.

The administrative team consists of TSgt Cronin; TSgt Sean Batson out of Malmstrom AFB, Montana; TSgt Bryan Thayer out of St. Paul ARS, Minnesota; TSgt Christian Kampe out of Joint Base Andrews, Maryland and SSgt David Borrego out of Malmstrom AFB, Montana. “Our goal is to ultimately lower suicides and fuel a climate of revitalized Security Forces members,” Cronin said. “We aspire to encourage active intervention and provide tools/lessons learned for comrades to lead someone to professional resources or resilient methods to overcome any Security Forces career-field related crisis.” He went on to add, “I am so grateful for this team and what they have given to our Defenders. They have taken on a great responsibility to be 24/7 available to any Defender that is battling with something that they can’t overcome.”

The Brave Badge Initiative offers several avenues to share personal insight and opinion across the career field. As the first Security Forces crisis platform to ever launch an anonymous messaging tool, the admin-istrative team has received dozens of testimonies from retired, active and recently-separated members who were struggling with anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. Voting polls are also delivered to the masses to bring light to specific topics that affect our career field’s mental health. Other than providing resources, programs and articles of how to cope with issues that many Security Forces members are bat-tling every day, The Brave Badge Initiative has become a reporting tool to alert the career field when a tragic loss has occurred. “This is probably the hardest part of this responsibility. Not only is the team try-ing to cross-match information to make sure it is accurate, but we are trying to pay the ultimate respect to the unit and family left behind,” said Cronin. “Every time our team confirms a loss in the career field, we check on each other as Wingmen. Having the responsibility to inform others and trying to maintain an outpour of resiliency for our followers comes with a lot of stress. There is no doubt, we are synchronized and know that WE must be resilient to encourage the resiliency in others.” The platform has many plans for the future and seeks to find methods to assist Defender families who have lost Defender loved ones.

2019 has brought a large discussion to suicide and resiliency across the Air Force. Currently, the Air Force has lost over a 100 Airmen to suicide. On 1 August 2019, The CSAF General David Goldfein directed an Air Force-wide Resilience Tactical Pause for all Wings to execute, giving an opportunity to devise plans on lowering suicide and strengthening our readiness. Platforms such as The Brave Badge Initiative have echoed that stand-down and are encouraging their followers to be intrusive and active in helping other Defenders. The discussion of suicide and not being everyday ready as a Defender comes with many stigmas, yet the administrative team is working each day to bury those stigmas and instill bravery in each Defender to come forward if they are struggling.

With their more than 6,000 followers in less than a year, The Brave Badge Initiative has been commended for their contributions on several occasions. The Air University Command Chief, CMSgt Todd Simmons, who is also originally a Defender, has publicly recognized the platform on numerous occasions and has stated, “there were numerous grass-root efforts started over the past year to get after combating suicides, spreading awareness, and speaking directly to those in need of help. This is just one of those efforts I have watched and admired.”

The Brave Badge Initiative team encourages all Defenders and Airmen to find any platform or resource that exists that they can connect with. The Brave Badge Initiative is one of many platforms for the De-fender community, and they encourage Airmen to consider other resources like the Air Force’s Resiliency website and the local programs offered at installations across the globe. Their signature hashtag “#StayBrave” has turned into a movement to increase mental health awareness and communication among all ranks. Upholding their creed, “Saving Each Other, To Save Others”, the team at The Brave Badge Initiative is giving all Defenders a chance to rescue each other, no matter the crisis.

SAVING EACH OTHER, TO SAVE OTHERS
VETERAN CRISIS HOTLINE 1-800-273-8255 OPT 1.

Squadron of the Future: Creating More Effective Defenders

By A1C Jennifer Zima, 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs, 11 Dec 2019

Airman 1st Class Cameron Rogers, 422nd Security Forces Squadron installation entry controller, clears an M4 carbine during a recall exercise at RAF Croughton, United Kingdom, Nov. 21, 2019. Quarterly recall exercises are a form of readiness for defenders to always be prepared to respond at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Zima)

RAF CROUGHTON, United Kingdom (AFNS) --

RAF Croughton is at the forefront of innovation, helping create the most effective defenders in the Air Force.

The 422nd Security Forces Squadron has been selected to undergo a six-month trial in a complete revitalization of the squadron.

“Security forces senior leaders recognized the need to overhaul security forces squadrons,” said Senior Master Sgt. Nicholas Whitney, 422nd SFS Defense Force Sustainment Flight superintendent. “We needed to capitalize on utilization of our resources and support operational function. Basically, aligning the forces for optimal performance.”

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein commissioned this idea under the Year of the Defender initiative to focus on training readiness, modernizing the force enterprise-wide and improving quality of life with eight-hour shifts. Squadron of the Future began at RAF Croughton Sept. 1, concentrating on providing defenders with more training opportunities, protected time off, and reorganizing the unit structure into a leaner, more efficient system.

“The biggest takeaway for me is the decentralized command relationship for the master sergeants, … the (noncommissioned officer) tier and down,” said Capt. Alexander Parsons, 422nd SFS operations officer. “It is really empowering those in junior-leadership levels to make decisions at the tactical level. Whereas in a traditional chain-of-command hierarchy, the decisions are elevated and made at a higher level. That is not the focus here. I want my Airmen and my NCOs to be empowered to make those decisions even at the lowest level possible. That frees up the senior leadership within the squadron to focus more on the strategic, operational and longer-term objectives.”

For 18 years, Air Force security forces squadrons followed the U.S. Army doctrine of separating the squadron into sections, S1 through S5: Commander Support Staff (S1), Intelligence Flight (S2), Operations and Training Flight (S3), Logistics and Resources Flight (S4), and Installation Security, Plans and Programs (S5). The new test program has removed these classifications and restructured the squadron to be more effective with streamlined communication transitioning to a three-system operations flight, a sustainment flight and command support staff.

With the implementation of Squadron of the Future, the biggest quality-of-life improvement is that off-duty time is secured.

“We started this back in September and we have not once brought anyone in from protected time off,” Whitney said. “When the flight is on their protected time off, no one in the unit is allowed to bring someone in unless the commander approves it. It is equivalent to crew rest.”

Defenders at RAF Croughton also increased their monthly training days from four to six. Likewise, trainers work alongside defenders to assist in training needs.

“Previously when we had to go to training, people generally drag their feet,” said Tech. Sgt. Corey Southard, 422nd SFS noncommissioned officer in charge of training. “Now you have a trainer embedded amongst your flight. People are more receptive to it. They have someone with them who’s their trainer. It’s twofold – the quicker they train you, the quicker you get out or go off to bigger and better things.”

The Squadron of the Future concept is being tested at 14 different security forces squadrons across the Air Force, at least one in each major command. Monthly conference calls with senior leaders bring Airmen together to talk about the progress and give feedback.

“Our senior leaders at the headquarters level are really taking care of the defenders out on the ground,” Whitney said. “In 18 years, this is a whole new change, but it’s a change for the right reasons. It is making us a more lethal career field by giving us more time to do training. That’s a lot of time not only to take care of our annual training plan requirements, but it also allows us to focus on the things that may be specific to RAF Croughton. It's making us more lethal defenders, because you never know when the next threat’s going to come.”

RAF Croughton is the only test base in U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.

Advancing the Training Continuum

By CMSgt Tamala L. Hartz

Happy New Year! As we begin the new decade and the year 2020 we are continuing to advance our career field’s civilian, enlisted and officer training continuum. These efforts will ensure we are creating a Defender that will win in every fight!

In the last two years we have transformed Security Forces Training from recruitment to retirement. We overhauled every skill-awarding course at the SF Academy and our Military Working Dog schoolhouse. We integrated officer and enlisted training to provide necessary touch points during learning and exercise events. We formed training gates that ensure all Defenders return to the mothership for training at critical points, to match the development of their knowledge, skills and abilities with increased responsibilities. We overhauled our Civilian Defender course at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center to align training with the academy and provide the POST certification. To facilitate teaching and coaching at every base, we fashioned a Leader-Led Trainer course that focuses on providing our noncommissioned officers with the abilities and expertise to deliver training on every operational flight. All of these previous efforts have set the stage for the continuing evolution of our training in the next year.

In 2020, the focus will be on taking Defenders from ‘Qualified’ to ‘Proficient’. This initiative will require continued focus on training time and exercising skills that will build confidence and competence. Proficiency must become what we value and work towards.

Our first step is defining what a proficient Defender looks like. What is a ‘Proficient Defender’?   This is a Defender who accomplishes tasks with fluid instinctiveness and makes critical decisions with the confidence to know he/she will be successful. For example, one will identify a threat, pull their M9 Berretta from a drop holster, aim, pull the trigger and hit the intended target. This is accomplished fluidly, instinctively, and accurately. This proficiency will mature over years of training and experience resulting in smart, seasoned, and lethal Defenders who perform more like precision weapons than gravity bombs.

To begin the effort to become proficient lethal Defenders we must first modernize our home station training tools. It is essential to provide training guides and lesson plans that will arm Leader-Led Trainers and supervisors with relevant, up-to-date and accurate curricula to facilitate learning. We have reached out across the Air Force and created teams of experts to accomplish this cumbersome task. This subject-centered curriculum will provide the needed subject matter expertise to take a Defender from qualified to proficient.

With an understanding of what proficiency is and the tools to accomplish it, the last focus area is who will get us there. The answer, as it is so many times, will be our noncommissioned officers. Proficiency will be achieved through a cascade effect as our Staff Sergeants and Technical Sergeants on our operational flights learn to coach and educate, achieving higher levels of proficiency for themselves and their Defenders. Through the act of preparing for and educating others, a trainer becomes intimately familiar with the task, so much so that after the training they are also capable of executing the task to a higher proficiency level. Additionally when our flight leaders are evaluating the flight accomplishing multiple tasks during an exercise or actual event, their advanced or superior proficiency level enables them to identify the areas in which each Defender needs either additional training or more exposure to the task to increase proficiency levels.

As you can see there is a lot of work to be done, but we have the right people in the right place to ensure we create proficient, lethal Defenders who can win any fight! This is just one focus area we are getting after this year. I look forward to watching our career field mature and continuing to grow over the next 12-months. As always, thank you for what you do for our country, our Air Force, and our career field.

NEWEST

SECURITY

FORCES

COLONELS

Defenders, I am proud to announce and CONGRATULATE our newest Defender Colonels!

MELISSA G BROWN

KENNETH R DECEDUE

ROBERT M FORD

TYRELL O MAYFIELD

MICHAEL J MORALES

S N PUWALOWSKI

JOSEPH E RINGER

CHRISTOPHER M SHEFFIELD

DOUGLAS W WHITEHEAD

The hard work and commitment to excellence of these Defenders directly contributed to the Air Force’s decision for them to earn the title of “senior leader” in our Service. They now have the opportunity to perform the duties and take on the responsibilities associated with that small circle of leaders. Their achievements are indicative of their unwavering dedication to the Air Force’s core values and their ability to take care of the mission and their people with equal skill. I look forward to serving with them in leading our Elite Defenders to be More Lethal and More Ready!

VR – R.
ROY W. COLLINS, Brig Gen, USAF
Director of Security Forces

Editor’s Note: These Defenders were selected for promotion amongst 431 peers in a pool of over 3,600 eligible officers.

The Year of the Defender Improved Career Field Capabilities

Brig Gen Collins

10 February 2020

As we move forward into the New Year, I’d like to reflect upon the past, “Year of the Defender” and how this critical initiative equipped our Defenders to be more lethal and more ready. The increased investment in training, resourcing and equipment provided the career field with a spark that will continue to deliver capabilities to our Defenders for years to come.

The Year of the Defender Memorandum, signed by Air Force Senior Leaders, was designed to restore readiness, revitalize Security Forces organizations at all levels, and build a more dynamic force in accordance with the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force direction. Numerous enterprise-wide efforts were established to equip our Defenders to better identify threats, better protect and defend our air bases to support Air Force, Joint and Coalition missions.

Our initial efforts focused at the source of proficiency and professionalism by overhauling the curriculum at the Security Forces Academy. A top to bottom review of the Academy was critical in providing the operational units a higher caliber Defender upon graduation. With the support of our strong SF Academy leadership team and our elite Security Forces Instructor cadre, we quickly updated our curriculum and implemented the changes in record time. This effort was critical in improving the foundation of our Defender’s development.

Much needed focus was placed on human capital investment to protect our most important asset - the Defender. Sustained efforts were placed to institute leader-led training. Leader led training put our Supervisor’s back into the loop of owning the responsibility of training the Airmen they lead. This effort has built a stronger connection and responsibility of ownership in the Supervisor with their Airmen. Additionally, we placed focus on Tier Training, which provides training gates that all Defenders must go through to ensure they are proficient for the skill level of their current rank. The Tier level training has provided operational units the ability to determine overall readiness of their Airmen based on whether they are enlisted or officer.

Human Capital investment extended to our Civilian Defenders, who have been critical to maintaining our current readiness level. Our Civilian Defenders are now graduating from a 10-week course at VA LETC that is compliant with DoD Law Enforcement Peace Officers Standards and Training requirements. This investment ensures our Civilian Defenders are ready to meet all mission requirements. This is especially important as we look to increase their role in Integrated Base Defense.

Additionally, we were successful in accelerating the delivery of modernized equipment to the field. The delivery of the new weapons systems, which includes the M18 handgun and the M4A1 rifle are underway. The need for better weapons was long overdue and critical in providing our Defenders with the fire power necessary to defend our installations.

We strategically began investment in new modular scalable vests and helmets designed for better protection and fit while performing daily duties. We are also in the final stages of the designing and fielding the first-ever Female Body Armor to ensure all Defenders have proper fitting gear to meet mission requirements.

In order to properly support the operational units, the Headquarters Air Force staff conducted a full evaluation of all career field policy and doctrine to ensure tactical and strategic alignment. Where warranted, there was a complete re-write. These efforts are ongoing but we have started to refine gaps in policy and improved guidance to the operational units executing the mission. Better guidance drives improved execution!

Continuing into 2020, our newly developed Security Forces Enterprise Plan will support the current efforts underway from “Year of the Defender.” Our Security Forces Enterprise Plan will focus on four strategic goals, “Institutionalizing an Elite Defender Culture, Proficiency Focused Training, Modernizing Enterprise Capabilities, and Standardizing Requirements.” More to follow as we work to finalize the focus areas under each of these strategic goals.

As the largest enlisted career field in the Air Force with approximately 38,000 total force Defenders serving on over 120 bases, it is the job of Security Forces to protect, defend and fight! We are responsible for integrated defense, nuclear security, and defending air bases around the globe. It is imperative we continue to train, develop, resource and equip the total force to include our Civilian Defenders for the environment in which we operate now and for the future.

These items discussed today is only a small portion of the success of the “Year of The Defender.” Our efforts will remain centered on how we continue to make the Defender Weapon System…More Lethal and More Ready every day!

Brig Gen Collins

Defender Challenge 2020 to Test Readiness, Lethality

By Vicki Stein, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs, 3 March 2020

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --The U.S. Air Force Defender Challenge 2020 will pit Security Forces teams against each other in San Antonio, Texas, May 11-15, 2020.

Defenders will prove their abilities in dismounted skills, endurance, agility, individual weapons, and military working dog (MWD) teams through a series of gut-testing challenges. This year, Security Forces expanded the competitor pool to 19 teams from across the U.S. Air Force major commands, U.S. Army Military Police, and with our coalition partners.  

Brig. Gen. Roy Collins, Air Force Director of Security Forces, says his intent is to demonstrate improved Defender lethality and readiness to defend our personnel and resources in any environment to ensure mission success. 

“Our Defenders will push themselves to the breaking point in these readiness trials to showcase the capabilities we bring to the fight, while displaying our competitive spirit and camaraderie that makes us unique,” said Brig. Gen. Collins.

 This year, the challenges are tougher. The dismounted skills assessment, known as combat endurance, will measure strength, endurance, agility, teamwork, leadership, problem solving and knowledge of core skills. Competitors can expect to encounter multiple training objectives throughout the patrol to test their grit and measure the team’s cohesion and resiliency, such as medical aid, fire and maneuver, and land navigation.  

 The combat agility competition objective will test functional fitness and the ability to execute tasks in a field-based evaluation under stress.

 The weapons challenge evolved into a practical application where shooters will engage in scenario-based shooting events at the individual, pair and fire team levels in the near, middle and far distances.   This event will require active engagement, quicker reaction to situations and higher weapons expertise to prove proficiency on weapons.

 A new event this year pits premiere MWD teams against a series of dismounted skills assessments in much the same manner as the combat endurance competition. The MWD and handler are judged as a team through a series of patrol and explosives detection-based field problems.

 here is more to Air Force Defender Challenge 2020 than the competition.

Chief Master Sgt. Tamara Hartz, Security Forces Career Field Manager, explained that not only will those events determine the most lethal and most ready team, “they will also inform us of things we need to do in our training capacity to help create the best Defender warfighter for the Air Force. Training is the foundation that makes us more lethal and more ready,” said Hartz.

“We updated our training over the past few years as part of the Reconstitute Defender Initiative. By looking at how our Defenders accomplish these events, we can fine-tune our training programs moving us from qualified to proficient in our core skills using lessons learned from this year’s competition to improve them,” explained Hartz. “Using Defender Challenge as both a showcase for talent and a way to assess training needs, we will continue to develop more lethal and capable security forces Airmen.”

Many of the teams who competed in 2018 will be back to defend their titles. Others will take the opportunity to take it from them. In 2018 PACAF won the Defender Challenge title by taking first in the weapons competition, placing second in the dismounted operations challenge, and scoring well in the combat agility.

PACAF won the weapons competition and displayed the highest marksmanship skills of all teams in that category. They won the Coleman Cup, named after Brig. Gen. Richard Coleman, former U.S. Air Force Security Forces Center director of security forces and commander from 1997 to 2000.

Air Mobility Command won the Sadler Cup. The award is presented to the top team in the dismounted operations challenge, named after Maj. Gen. Thomas Sadler, who served as Air Force Chief of Security Police from 1975-1977.

United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF) Regiment previously held the trophy since winning it at the 2003 Defender Challenge.

In the combat endurance relay event, the German Air Force came out on top, and Lance Cpl. Adam Butler of the RAF team won the Outstanding Defender Award for demonstrating exceptional leadership throughout the competition.

 “This year’s event will continue to evaluate our tactics, techniques and procedures and build upon our lessons learned, while working jointly with our world-wide partners, both in competition and crosstalk,” said Collins. “More lethal and more ready!”

************

Editor's Note: The Air Force 2020 Defender Challenge video is a must watch. Go to the "Gallery" then "Videos" and scroll down to the bottom to view it.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE
TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

DAYTON, Ohio —The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will temporarily close beginning Sunday, March 15, 2020 as a public health precaution in relation to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

All events and activities scheduled at the museum have been cancelled or postponed until further notice. The museum will re-evaluate its closure status on a week to week basis and will provide the latest updates on the museum website and social media sites.

The museum’s top priority is the health and safety of visitors, staff and volunteers and the museum will continue to closely monitor this situation in coordination with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and local health officials.

Despite the closure to the public, the museum will continue its heritage stewardship duties and work with Air Force leadership to minimize risk to its personnel and their families.

Please watch the museum's website, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil and local media outlets for information on when the museum's normal operations will resume. Visitors are encouraged to follow the museum on social media as the museum will continue to provide posts and engage with the public during this temporary closure.

Visitors may also take a virtual tour of the museum or view 360-degree images of cockpits of aircraft on display at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Virtual-Tour.

The National Aviation Hall of Fame, co-located at the museum, will also be closed. For more information, please contact them at 937-256-0944, ext. 19 or aspowart@nationalaviation.org.

For general information about the Air Force Museum Foundation please call (937) 258-1218 or email at foundation@afmuseum.com. The Air Force Museum Store, operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation is available online at http://store.airforcemuseum.com. For questions about the status of an event reservation, please call (937) 656-9393 or email theatre@afmuseum.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, contact Rob Bardua at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1386 or Danielle Almeter at (937) 255-1283.

SECURITY FORCES MUSEUM
TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

Following the lead of the National Museum USAF and direction from HQ AETC, the AHTC and Security Forces Exhibits Annex will be closed to the public until further notice.

WILLIAM A. (BILL) MANCHESTER
Director, Airman Heritage Training Complex
Air Education and Training Command History Office
Lackland AFB, TX 78236
Comm. 210-671-3055

STAYING SAFE …

The unfolding coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has significantly affected meetings, travel, access to DoD and USAF facilities, events and installations. On March 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance that all large events and mass gatherings of more than 50 people be suspended for at least eight weeks. "Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities.”

AFSFA Chapters are strongly encouraged to postpone any and all events and hold virtual chapter meetings as teleconferences at least for the next 30 days or until new guidance is issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

The well-being and safety of our members, families and Defenders is of upmost importance to us and we ask all to will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation. Each of us has a personal responsibility to take actions to minimize exposure to the virus by exercising personal hygiene and protection measures put forth by the CDC. Consult the website listed above and keep you and those around safe.

Defenders, Firefighters Host Lunch for Medical Staff

By Lauren Russell, 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs, 10 April 2020

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Airmen from the 66th Security Forces Squadron and 66th Civil Engineering Division hosted an appreciation luncheon for members of the 66th Medical Squadron here, April 6.

The event recognized the hard work members of the 66 MDS have been putting in during COVID-19 response operations.

“We’ve all seen how hard they’ve been working and wanted to do something to really share our gratitude with the medical team,” said Maj. Shane Watts, 66 SFS commander.

The outdoor luncheon featured a “walking taco” lunch line, where volunteers spooned taco meat into prepackaged chip bags to minimize contact.

“Of course we spread ourselves out, and we all had our masks and gloves,” said Master Sgt. Ryan Francois, 66 SFS first sergeant. “The lunch was the best we could think of to show them how much we appreciate them while following the right protocols.”

Members of the three units are no strangers to essential operations, and the small gesture of appreciation between first responders made an impact on the medical staff.

“It was such a huge morale booster,” said Tech. Sgt. Yesenia Benjamin, 66 MDS noncommissioned officer in charge of Public Health Element. “It was such a great sense of community and support.”

Watts said that keeping the morale and spirits of his Airmen and wingmen high in the current state of global impact is more important than ever.

“In a time that requires such drastic posturing, there are some that need to make additional sacrifices,” he said. “We want to assure our medical team that their hard work is not going unnoticed.”

 DoD Response to COVID-19 - DoD ID Cards and Benefits

The Department of Defense is committed to protecting the security of our nation and its people by issuing identification (ID) cards to individuals requiring access to government systems and facilities, and to eligible individuals authorized to receive Uniformed Service benefits and privileges by law.

The Department is equally committed to the safety of our personnel and beneficiaries, including retirees and other high-risk populations. This includes ensuring continued access to healthcare and other benefits during this time of increasing precaution and restrictions in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). To ensure DoD ID card offices are postured to maintain continuity of operations, and to minimize the number of non-essential required visits at DoD ID card offices, the following guidance is in effect through September 30, 2020:

Common Access Cards (CAC) & Volunteer Logical Access Credentials (VoLAC)

• CACs and VoLACs which expire on or after April 16, 2020, and are within 30 days of expiration, may have the certificates updated using ID Card Office Online to allow for continued use for logical access through September 30, 2020. The User Guide below provides details on who is eligible, and whom to contact for questions or problems. 

• CACs shall not be reissued due to printed information changes (e.g., promotions, name changes). 

• CACs that expire on or after April 16, 2020, are authorized for continued use to facilitate access to benefits through September 30, 2020, if the cardholder’s eligibility for benefits is unchanged. 

• Existing and new Trusted Associate Sponsorship System (TASS) applications will be valid for 180 days, permitting TASS-sponsored cardholders to take advantage of the remote options to update their certificates. 

• The policy memorandum allowing transferring DoD civilian employees to retain their CAC will be reissued. 

Uniformed Services ID Cards (USID) 

• If a cardholder's affiliation is unchanged, USID cards which expired on or after January 1, 2020, are authorized for continued benefit use through September 30, 2020. 

• Termination of cardholder affiliation with the DoD or termination of benefit eligibility shall be verified electronically prior to confiscating an expired USID card with an expiration date on or after January 1, 2020. 

• Remote USID card renewals and reissuance shall be expanded. 

• Remote family member enrollment/eligibility updates are authorized. 

• Remote USID card initial issuance for first-time issuance or replacement of lost/stolen ID card is authorized. 

• All remotely-issued USID cards shall be issued with an expiration date not to exceed one year from the date of issuance. 

• The minimum age for initial USID card issuance is increased from 10 to 14 years. 

• Continued use of the Reserve USID card to obtain active duty benefits is authorized for mobilized Reservists and their eligible dependents. 

The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) will continue to be the authoritative source to verify statutory eligibility for DoD Healthcare and other benefits.

 U.S. Air Force Public Affairs published information on cac.mil about the new policy to accept expired credentials. Find the language and more information at:

https://www.cac.mil/Coronavirus/

Easter Bunny Visits Children of Deployed Parents

A1C Cameron Otte, 60^th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

The Easter Bunny made a stop at Travis Air Force Base April 11 to visit families of deployed service members.

The Easter Bunny prepares to give candy to children from military families with deployed parents, April 11, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The Easter Bunny hand-delivered 163 bags of candy to the children’s homes. U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cameron Otte

Jannet Rodriguez, a unit program coordinator for the 60th Security Forces Squadron at Travis AFB, organized the visit to deliver some cheer during the coronavirus pandemic.

“With all the gloom of being in quarantine and the lockdowns, I think it’s important to spread some joy,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to allow the opportunity for children to have an Easter event and not feel left out. We were going to have a squadron event, but since they were unable to come to us we decided to come to them.”

The Easter Bunny went door-to-door to visit with Travis families and delivered 163 candy bags.

“We started by purchasing 800 eggs and all the decorations needed to pack them,” Rodriguez said. “Then, we coordinated with the volunteers to pack the eggs and make the bags. After we finished, we mapped all the houses that we were going to deliver to on Saturday.”

The volunteers also made Easter bags for deployed service members to receive upon their return.

“I have a child, so I can relate to the other spouses on base who feel they are missing out on this holiday,” Rodriguez said.

The families seemed to really enjoy the event and the unexpected visit from the Easter bunny.

“I think what they are doing is great,” said Ericka Hrkach, spouse of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jordan Hrkach, 60th SFS military working dog handler. “My kids were so excited to see the Easter Bunny for the first time. It made us happy and was a very special moment for our kids.”

Rodriguez said the event was a success because the Travis community came together.

“It feels so great getting involved with events like these,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes I go a little overboard and end up getting in over my head, and that’s why I’m so thankful to all the volunteers who helped support this with me. I think all the effort is worth it when you see a child’s face light up with excitement because nothing is more precious than a child’s smile.

“I think it’s great people are still willing to volunteer even with all the extra precautions people have to take because of the coronavirus.”

Get Ready for the 2020 Chapter of the Year Competition

ATTENTION, CHAPTER CHAIRS: The deadline for submitting your Chapter of the Year package to the San Antonio headquarters is rapidly approaching. The submission deadline is 31 July 2020 and the nomination forms are online at the AFSFA web site "Members", then "Members Documents" then "AFSFA Chapter Recognition Program."  The competition period for the award covers the period 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.  All of the rules and processes remain in place for the 2020 competition. The AFSFA vice president and regional directors will use the posted point scoring system for judging. The board of directors will validate the scores in time for the awards ceremony at the banquet. As with last year, we know from reading your minutes there are nearly 40 chapters doing great work that needs to be recognized – we invite you to “take-on” the reigning champion, the Ron Blatman Evergreen Chapter, and the 2019 runner-up, the Travis Bay Area Chapter!

For more information review the policy letter at:  http://afsfaonline.com/index.php/members/member-documents/120-afsfa-chapter-recognition-policy-statement

Air Force Academy Unveils License Plate Readers at Gates

License plate readers at the U.S. Air Force Academy are scanning the plates of every vehicle entering the base through the north and south gates. The newly-installed technology, commonly used by civilian law enforcement agencies, is another means of defending the base. (U.S. Air Force Academy photo)

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Newly installed license plate readers at the Air Force Academy are scanning the plates of every vehicle entering the base today through the north and south gates.

A patrol vehicle used by the 10th Security Forces Squadron, the base’s law enforcement unit, has also been fitted with a license plate reader.  

“License plate readers check the plates of all vehicles entering the installation against national and local law enforcement databases and registries,” said Col. Marcus Corbett, commander of the 10th SFS. “They offer us an opportunity to leverage technology to provide early detection of potential threats.”

The readers indicate if a vehicle is stolen, involved in an “Amber Alert,” if the driver is a wanted person, or other violations and concerns. 

Peterson Air Force Base was the first military installation in the Colorado Springs area to install the readers.

“Although not mandated by the Defense Department or the Air Force, license plate readers have been successfully used by civilian law enforcement officers to curtail crime,” said Capt. Moses Lee, the 10th SFS operations officer. “They’re just another terrific tool for keeping our community safe.”

Lee said the readers operate quickly.

“The technology is fast so we don’t expect delays at the gates to be a regular occurrence,” he said.

AFSFA Commissions 35 Commemorative Sig Sauer M18 Pistols

Between 1 June and 31 July 2020 any current AFSFA member may call in and place their name on a list for one of the military’s newest modular handguns … the Sig Sauer M18. These commemorative pistols will have the Security Forces shield outline engraved on the black plate just in front of the rear sight and bear our name, AIR FORCE SECURTY FORCES ASSOC, on the right side of the slide as pictured. The 9MM pistol is flat dark earth in color and comes with: a manual safety; (2) 17 round steel magazines; the SIGLITE night sights; and, an AFSFA certificate of authenticity numbered to the pistol. Pistols sell for $795.00 each which includes shipping but DOES NOT include transfer fees.

 Interested AFSFA members MUST call the AFSFA office at 210-277-0448 or John at 505-414-2166 NO EARLIER than 1 June and NO LATER than 31 July 2020 and personally talk with Crystal or John to place their name on the list. Once current membership is confirmed the member’s name will be added to the list and members may ONLY put their name on the list ONCE. The drawing will take place on 5 August 2020 and the 35 members names drawn will be notified that week. Delivery is anticipated to start in December 2020. Members will be contacted in early December to pay for the pistol and provide weapons dealer shipping information. Since these pistols are customized with engraving they may not be shipped to CA or MA, there are NO exceptions to this rule. Additionally, CO, DC, MD, NJ, NY and VT all have magazine restrictions for 10 rounds unless the member is an active Law Enforcement Officer in their state.

Police Week 2020: Ramstein Honors Fallen Law Enforcement

By TSgt Jocelyn A. Ford, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, 8 May 2020

A U.S. Air Force 86th Security Forces Squadron patrol car is parked prior to participating in a caravan of Kaiserslautern Military Community first responders at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 7 May 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by A1C Taylor D. Slater)

 RAMSTEIN AIR BASE --

Though coronavirus disease 2019 is hindering activities that once drew huge crowds, COVID-19 will not stop a nation from honoring and remembering law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

On Oct. 1, 1962, former President John F. Kennedy signed a bill into law designating May 15 as a day to honor peace officers. Twenty years later, an annual memorial service began in Washington D.C., at Senate Park, and the week encompassing Peace Officers Memorial Day has since been referred to as Police Week.

“Police Week is a humbling week,” said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Bonham, 86th Security Forces Squadron flight sergeant. “We remember our Defenders and why we do the job.”

The Monday of Police Week has historically started with a prayer breakfast and a small commencement ceremony, followed by a week full of events. Traditionally there are law enforcement-centric competitions that bring the different law enforcement agencies together in both a humbling and exciting way.

“It’s really exciting and a humbling event to be a part of,” Bonham said. “It’s awesome because it gets all the law enforcement agencies in the area together to celebrate National Police Week and remember everything that’s going on with law enforcement.”

Due to restrictions on social gatherings, ceremonies and events are scheduled to be aired or held virtually this year. The 569th, 435th and 86th SFS’s together created the Ramstein Police Week Virtual 5k Facebook group to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the line of duty. Anyone who wants to participate in the virtual run can join the group.

Though the final guard mount will not be a public event, each unit still performing guard mount will take the time to honor those U.S. Air Force law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty since 9/11.

Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson, 21, Sept. 28, 2005, Camp Bucca, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, 28, Jan. 22, 2006, Taji, Iraq

Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Norton, 32, Jan. 22, 2006, Taji, Iraq

Airman 1st Class Leebernard E. Chavis, 21, Oct. 14, 2006, Baghdad, Iraq

Staff Sgt. John T. Self, 29, May 14, 2007, Baghdad, Iraq

Airman 1st Class Jason D. Nathan, 22, June 23, 2007, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Travis L. Griffin, 28, April 3, 2008, Baghdad, Iraq

1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton, 24, Sept. 8, 2009, Baghdad, Iraq

Senior Airman Nicholas Alden, 25, March 2, 2011, Frankfurt, Germany

Staff Sgt. Todd “TJ” Lobraico, 22, Sept. 5, 2013, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

Airman 1st Class Kcey E. Ruiz, 21, Oct. 2, 2015, Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan

Senior Airman Nathan C. Sartain, 29, Oct. 2, 2015, Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan

Tech. Sgt. Joseph G. Lemm, 45, Dec. 21, 2015, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

 Staff Sgt. Louis M. Bonacasa, 31, Dec. 21, 2015, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

Security Forces Enterprise Plan

“The Security Forces Enterprise Plan is designed to focus on the Strategic Goals that are essential in making us More Lethal and More Ready, by prioritizing those things that are essential to our continued success.”

Brig Gen Collins
Director Security Forces

Strategic Environment

Department of the Air Force Security Forces play a pivotal role in protecting and enabling our Nation’s Air and Space Combat Power and Strategic Nuclear Mission. Building the Security Forces that our Department needs to compete, deter and win across the five priority missions of the National Defense Strategy requires continuous evolution; to become more lethal and more ready and to exploit emerging technologies to complement our already highly trained and motivated workforce. This plan builds upon previous work carried out under the banners of the Security Forces Flight Plan and the Reconstitute Defender Initiative that sought to address shortfalls in manpower, equipment and training and is aligned with the Protect the Force enabling capability in the Air Force Basing and Logistics Flight Plan. At the heart of this new plan are four strategic goals that will institutionalize elite Defender culture, make Defenders more proficient, continuously modernize equipment and standardize requirements to ensure that Security Forces Squadrons possess the resources and capabilities needed to fight and win.

Security Forces Mission

Deliver layered Integrated Base Defense across all Department of the Air Force installations to ensure mission accomplishment

Security Forces Vision

Organize, train, equip and arm our Defenders with technology, capabilities and policy to be the most lethal and ready force on the planet

Security Forces Shared Purpose

Work together as a career field, at all levels, to achieve the responsibilities outlined in the National Defense Strategy and Air Force Priorities

Download the entire plan here

We Stand Guard Together!

Defenders, the civil unrest in the media over the loss of George Floyd has left Americans concerned and outraged.  We can all see the wrong in what took place.   The pain America feels for him and his family is real.

As a society we have come so far…which makes it just that much more painful to watch what is unfolding in the news and social media.  The reality of this situation makes us think about our role in respecting each other and doing what is right.

It is very unfortunate that it took a catastrophic event like this to bring America together…and it will take all of us in our own responsible way to make a course correction.

As a respected and professional Law Enforcement Career Field, it is inherent that we continue to treat each other and those we Protect, Defend and Serve with the Dignity and Respect that everyone deserves, regardless of the situation.  

Our Defender standard is Dignity and Respect for those we Protect & Serve, because we all (38K Total Force Defenders) serve and fight for what is right and just for a country that we love. 

We are always stronger together….and we must continue to BREATHE for those who cannot…and speak with one voice.  

Today Defenders…we are “Standing Guard”…I stand with 38K Professional Defenders and those who came before us.  I am extremely honored to serve with an elite group of Defenders who wear the badge proudly. 

Your Security Forces leadership condemns racism in any form and stand in SOLIDARITY with those affected

Stay Vigilant, Stay Safe and continue to be the very best Defenders we can for our Air Force and our Country! 

Top Cop - BG Collins 

Mrs. Scheppers

Chief Hartz

Next Security Forces Career Field Manager Named

It is with great pleasure and honor that I announce the selection of CMSgt Brian Lewis, Air Force Global Strike Command Security Forces Manager, as the next Security Forces Career Field Manager.  Chief Lewis has distinguished himself at various levels and in numerous challenging environments.  His expertise and leadership is the right next step to focus on providing support to over 38K Total Force Defenders!

He will be a tremendous addition to our A4S team as we continue to make our Defenders…more lethal and more ready!

Please reach out and congratulate this leader and the family!

Stay Safe Defenders.
VR – Brig Gen Collins
ROY W. COLLINS, Brig Gen, USAF
Director of Security Forces