60th Security Forces Squadron poised to answer the call

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Brugman
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Most days the members of the 60th Security Forces Squadron are in the background of our lives - they let us through the gate and we know to slow down when the patrol cars drive by, but if there is ever an emergency, the 60th SFS "Defenders" respond to protect lives and property and restore order. 

"When I come to work, I have the opportunity to help people - whether by getting a drunk driver off the road or answering a domestic call and getting everyone to calm down," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Thompson, assistant flight chief. "When I go to bed at night, I know I make a difference or possibly made a difference to someone and that makes it all worth it." 

Each Defender's shift lasts about eight hours and begins with guardmount, where personnel are given their duty assignments and security information. From there, personnel take to the streets and flightline answering calls and remaining vigilant to keep the base safe and secure. 

According to Tech. Sgt. Nicole Stevenson, 60th Security Forces Squadron non-commissioned officer, the most common incidents on Travis are: traffic stops, shoplifting, vandalism and driving under the influence. 

Besides patrolling the base and answering calls, Security Forces personnel often train on how to deal with situations that may go from calm to out of control in a matter of seconds. "Routine" traffic stops are one example of this type of situation because of their unpredictability. The Defenders follow certain procedures to ensure the safety of all involved, such as ensuring occupants remain in the vehicle, checking vehicle and driver information and cautiously approaching the vehicle. 

Because of security forces' high deployment rates, most deploy six months for every six months they spend at home. In order to help keep the peace at home while Defenders are away, the base gates are manned under a civilian contract, according to Sergeant Thompson. These civilian gate guards provide the first line of defense to prevent drunk drivers and unauthorized personnel from entering the base. 

The civilians take some of the workload off military personnel, but new Airmen and junior NCOs must still train on gate operations for upgrade training. This also allows more time to train for patrolman certification. 

"They have to think on their feet," Sergeant Thompson said. "They've got more responsibility at a younger age to learn how to go out and handle a situation properly."
Because of this high ops tempo, exercises are incredibly important in training officers on how to handle difficult situations. 

"I want to see how patrols react," Sergeant Thompson said. "I'll let one of the Airman or junior NCOs run the show. I'll provide input, but [I] don't do it for them."
One of the most difficult situations security forces personnel can handle on base is a domestic disturbance call. 

"We do everything in our power to protect ourselves and ensure we maintain positive control of the situation," Sergeant Thompson said.
During a domestic disturbance call, security forces personnel try to ensure there are two or three officers present for every one person inside the house. Once inside, they try to prevent people from going into the kitchen or back bedrooms to reduce the possibility of them getting a weapon. 

At one recent training event, officers pretended to answer a call on a domestic dispute. Sergeant Thompson gave the participants the set up and let them run with it. At the word 'go,' the scene exploded with violence - the 'husband,' caught in the act of pushing his 'wife' to the ground is pulled away from her. The officers quickly subdued the husband, but then the wife attacked the officers. It took three officers to pin her down and handcuff her. 

But scenarios like these are nothing compared to the real-world situations Security Forces personnel sometimes face. 

"My hardest day was when I was called in to the ER for a man who tried to commit suicide," Sergeant Thompson said. "They interviewed his ex-girlfriend and it turned out he had sexually assaulted her the night before. After that day, you're so exhausted - physically, mentally and emotionally, you don't want to do anything. Most days are routine - but some days aren't." 

With an involved public the criminals figure out they have no safe haven on base and usually decide to look elsewhere, said Sergeant Stevenson. To report an incident call Security Forces at 424-2800 or Crime Stop at 424-2000.