ANG provides installation entry control support
Released: March 18, 2003
By
Capt. Angela O'Connell 100th
Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (USAFENS)
-- Approximately 100 soldiers from the Puerto Rico Army National Guard began
training here March 11 as security forces augmentees. These soldiers will perform duties to include assisting with
installation entry control, conducting vehicle searches, serving as patrol or
response team members and assisting with perimeter patrols. The Guardsmen's
assistance allows security forces to focus on training and force protection,
while relieving some strain on their already over-tasked career field.
"We need more people out there," said Chief Master Sgt.
Danny Shine, 100th Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent.
"They're here to help us go into 8 hour shifts and to allow us to
conduct training." Since Sept. 11, the security forces career field has been
strained. Provision of security for
home bases, as well as deployments to provide security at forward locations,
while trying to maintain proficiency and training requirements is not an easy
task to accomplish. At times, this situation has caused them to rely heavily on
augmentees from other career fields, creating a further problem by taking
many-needed airman away from their work centers. Army Specialist Jorge Goldilla, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Field
Artillery, departed Officer Candidate School to go on this deployment. "In Puerto Rico we do a lot of training for this.
It's a once in a lifetime chance to be here, (you) take it and drive
on," he said. Before the soldiers arrived here, they went through training
at Fort Dix, N.J., to ensure compliance with Air Force security requirements.
Additionally, they are attending training locally, to learn the unique
environment here. "We have an outstanding training package," said Shine.
"I'm confident they'll do well."
But even with the new task at hand, the soldiers are
adjusting well to their new environment. "It's experience for me," said Army Spc. Sandra Rivera,
2nd Battalion, 162nd Field Artillery. "It's
different from Puerto Rico, but I like it here. The people are nice." The integration of the soldiers should be seamless to the
base population. As they begin
their duties, security forces ask base members to be patient and appreciate the
added attention with possible delays at the gate.
Soldiers from the Army National Guard will provide additional
security not only for Mildenhall, but also for several installations in Europe.
-- USAFENS --
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