Deployments a way of life for squadron

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Oct. 5, the 96th Security Forces Squadron welcomed home a team of Airmen from a six-month rotation. And while families and fellow Airmen gave them a rousing ovation when they walked through airport security, their commander knows their arrival is just another cycle in what's a continuous deployment rotation. With training en route, these Security Forces members may be gone eight to nine months.

Major Scott Foley is the new commander of the squadron; however, he's not new to deployments. He's recently returned from Camp Victory, Iraq, where he was the Multinational Corps-Iraq, Deputy Provost Marshall for Detainee Operations. Now the major is living with the reality of a reduced workforce every day. 

"Troops go out for six-month deployment and then come back for six and then go back out," Major Foley said. "On some missions, they may be deployed for 365 days."

Security Forces deploy to expeditionary locations supporting force protection missions or in a prison camp in Iraq, where Security Forces perform perimeter and internal security. Police transition teams train Iraqi police or provide protection security details for senior leaders. That was Staff Sgt. Nick Bradley's job when he was injured Aug. 3, when an improvised explosive device exploded near his vehicle. 

"It's a pretty dangerous mission, taking senior officers from Point A to B through hostile territory," he said. 

Major Foley said he thinks security forces here on Eglin are in line with the Air Force's vision: transforming Security Forces more into an expeditionary force. According to Brig. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog, the Air Force's Director of Security Forces, she doesn't see their expeditionary role changing; if anything she sees it growing. Both agree the answer is civilians doing more home-station security. 

"We need civilians in the CONUS so the Security Forces Airmen can support the fight and deploy," Major Foley said. "Eglin is great example of what the general means; we have 100+ civilians doing police and security operations so our Airmen can train and go forward to deploy."

According to Capt. Gerald Brown, Operations Officer for 96th SFS, civilians run patrol on the base and the ranges. The Department of Defense police can do law enforcement work as well as gate duty. 

"They can be tasked to be on the desk at the SFS control center and are certified to work flightline security as well," Capt. Brown said. "They can patrol and do random anti-terrorism measures." 

Major Foley said when Airmen deploy the squadron loses continuity and key staff position capabilities; writing reports and ticket processing slows down because Airmen are pulled from the staff to work the flights. That's when the civilians come in. 

"The civilian population gives us flexibility to support the back office," he said. "It's creative manning at times; civilians might have to work in an office but are still capable of responding as needed." 

The major knows the end is not in sight for being at full strength any time soon. But he adamant that security is not going to be compromised in any capacity. 

"We've got to expect, with the dynamics of the world environment, we will always be one of the Air Force's combat forces to deploy forward," he said. "Our defenders are prepared to take on that mission and will always be ready for war."