Working to keep Travis safe

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy Boyer
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  When people think of the 60th Security Forces Squadron, they might think of guards standing at the gate checking their ID cards, but there is more to SFS.
Members of the 60th SFS work tirelessly day and night to keep Travis and the world safe.
One of the most visible jobs of security forces at Travis is commonly referred to as gate guards. Their primary duty is to ensure only people with proper clearance have access to base.

"They are our first line of defense," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Guglielmi, 60th SFS police services and confinement NCO in charge.
Another method of guarding the base, including the flightline, is 24-hour patrols, he said.
The job also consists of duties that people do not tend to associate with security forces. SFS, like most squadrons, has training managers, reports and analysis, unit deployment managers and other special duties that keep the Air Force mission going, Guglielmi said.

There also are several specialized units within the 60th SFS such as the K-9 unit, a valuable asset that deploys frequently in support of missions at home and abroad. The K-9 unit can be tasked for anything from patrols to anti-terrorism measures to world-wide Secret Service missions, said Staff Sgt. Kristopher Carroll, 60th SFS K-9 unit kennel master, the equivalent of an NCOIC in other shops.

While deployed, the K-9 units are often on the front line, he said. They are trained not only to run down enemies, but also to locate explosives.

Securing and manning the armory is also another job security forces handles. The 24-hour armory houses operational ammunition; Navy, Honor Guard and air crew weapons; explosive ordinance disposal's training ammunition; 200 radios and personally-owned weapons for dorm and billeting residents, said Staff Sgt. Anthony Pinaula, 60th SFS armory NCOIC. Armory personnel are also in charge of maintaining a registry of all weapons kept in base housing.

In addition, security forces are the primary weapons trainers for everyone on base, said Tech. Sgt. John Werner, 60th SFS combat arms NCOIC.

"We are the largest combat arms shop in Air Mobility Command and we service all three wings," he said. "We train about 6,000 people each year."

Werner said it can be difficult for combat arms instructors to maintain their certification and proficiency.

"We can deploy as both combat arms and security forces," he said. "This means we have to stay proficient in both."

Another SFS mission is to provide a desk sergeant at the Emergency Communication Center.

The ECC monitors 86 alarmed facilities, the integrated base defense security systems, 27 camera systems and radio transmissions. They handle upwards of 154 alarms per month, hundreds of traffic stops monthly and more than 7,000 calls per month.

"We also maintain command and control for all incidents on base until responders arrive," said Staff Sgt. James Jackson, 60th SFS ECC desk sergeant. "We coordinate safe routes for responders and deal with cordons."

60th SFS conducts the same business as a small town police department, with the added responsibility that comes with protecting multi-million dollar military equipment at home and during deployments, Guglielmi said.

"We man the gate, guard the airfield, patrol base housing and answer 911 calls 24 hours a day 365 days a year," said Master Sgt. Brian Wade, 60th SFS operations superintendent. "The Airmen, civilians, Department of Defense guards and Department of the Air Force Police are all part of the 60th SFS team, defending the force so you can fly, fight and win at home and abroad."