Gatekeepers keep us safe at night

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Donald Osborn
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  When most people on base lay their heads down at night, they usually feel safe when they close their eyes. They are afforded that feeling of safety because of the men and women who stand watch at the gates of Travis, looking for any adversaries who choose to do harm. 

The 60th Security Forces Squadron, in addition to the Department of Defense guards, are always on the look out for people trying to gain unauthorized access to Travis' facilities and personnel. 

Interacting with people coming through the gates at night is a little different than the day time, according to one security forces guard. 

"Some people seem to be more respondent at night," said Sgt. Joseph Houston, DoD guard. "In the morning it seems like everyone has their game face on, ready to go to work, so they don't say much." 

Interacting with people coming through the gates is important, said Sergeant Houston. It not only makes the shift go by quickly, but sometimes it allows security forces members to extract information from people that may help in keeping the base secure.
Keeping the base secure is only one aspect of the job. 

Travis' security forces personnel not only keep the base safe, they are also deployed to protect Air Force assets and personnel world-wide. 

When security forces deploy world-wide, it puts a strain on those remaining. One way to ease the strain is to augment personnel from various other career fields around Travis and also from the Air Reserve Component Volunteers from other bases, as well as the use of DoD guards. 

"This is my first year doing this here and I like it," said Airman 1st Class Michael Scalici, 110th Fighter Wing, aircraft weapons specialist and an ARCV augmentee from Michigan Air National Guard. "I like my job as an aircraft weapons specialist back in Michigan, but I want to be a cop full time as a civilian." 

"Besides, it's usually freezing up in Michigan during this time of year and I'm down here in California enjoying the beautiful weather," he added. 

Weather aside, security forces is not a job for everyone. The job requires not only the use of the extensive training, but all senses as well. Working the night shift requires someone who doesn't mind not seeing the sun too often. 

"I've worked [the midnight shift] before where I didn't see the sun for a couple of days," said Airman 1st Class Charles Bell, 60th Security Forces Squadron specialist. "I used to sleep as soon as I got home and didn't leave the house until it was nearly dark again." 

"Working those hours requires someone who really doesn't mind living like a vampire," he added. 

Regardless of what the job might turn someone into, it is very serious business. The men and women who perform the job as Travis' gatekeepers know they are the first line, and sometimes the only line, of defense against our adversaries.