MANSFIELD, Ohio–When visiting the 179th Airlift Wing, they’re often the first and last people you see. They’re the ones who are tasked with the duty of protecting the personnel, aircraft, and property. In civilian terms you’d recognize them as “cops,” but in military terms, they’re known as Security Forces.
Staff Sgt. Nick Alexander doesn’t mind being called a cop; in fact, “Most people refer to us as the cops,” he said.
Similar to civilian police, “We can write tickets for illegal parking, speeding, domestic violence–anything that can possibly happen, we’re trained to respond to it,” Alexander said.
One key difference, however, is, “Our main mission is to secure our aircraft,” he noted.
Security Forces Squadron is one of two groups at the base that operates under three shifts, the other is the fire department.
Alexander, who works first shift in Security Forces, said their duties include manning the gate (which controls access to the base), patrol, carrying out building checks, among other responsibilities.
Each airman has additional duties, and that’s one of his favorite aspects of the job. “What I like the most about my job is the additional duties that I have,” he said. “I’m also a Taser instructor and the active shooter instructor. I just think that stuff is really interesting and I like teaching it to people because I think it’s good stuff for everybody to know.”
Those in Security Forces are the only personnel at the base who carry weapons. Alexander said their CATM (Combat Arms Training and Maintenance) personnel train fellow airmen how to use weapons in preparation of a deployment.
On a typical day, Alexander said, “The first half of the day I could work the gate and then the second half I could be in patrol.”
He noted, “We always have to be to work at least 30 minutes early because we have to ‘arm up,’ and put all of our gear on.”
Alexander, who’s served at the 179th since 2008, said he deployed to Afghanistan in 2012.
“When we deployed, our primary mission was perimeter security,” he stated. He estimated that there were at least 700 Security Forces personnel at the base where he deployed. “And that was only for the perimeter because the Army was completely in charge of the interior,” he said. “They were in charge of the law enforcement. We were in charge of the perimeter.”
At the 179th, the BDOC, or Base Defense Operations Center, functions as the “brain of Security Forces,” Alexander said. “That’s where we monitor all of the cameras, dispatch all of our patrols to any incidents that go on. That’s where the 9-1-1 calls come through,” he said.
Security Forces handle incidents that occur strictly at the base. He said in previous instances, they’ve had to call the local law enforcement agencies because of an incident that occurred outside their jurisdiction.
Interestingly, many civilian officers serve as traditional guardsmen at the base.
“We have a ton of people in security who are civilian police,” Alexander said, including many Mansfield police officers, state highway patrol officers, and sheriff’s deputies. He appreciates having them a part of the team, noting that they offer a wealth of knowledge and experience.
On why he wanted to join the Air Guard, Alexander said his neighbor told him about the 179th, which piqued his interest. “I really had no clue what I was getting myself into,” he said admittedly. Fortunately, he was ultimately happy with his decision.
He’s even inspired family members to join–his younger brother, Brody Alexander, also serves in Security Forces at the 179th. Another one of his brothers, Kyle Alexander, is looking to join, too, he said.
Staff Sgt. Anthony Washington of Security Forces said the people he works with is what he enjoys most about the job.
Staff Sgt. Ronald Nelson, another Security Forces airman, agreed, “Working with a good group of highly qualified and knowledgable people makes it a pleasure to work here.”
Editor’s Note: This is the sixth story in the “Embedded at the 179th” series.
