WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- As the first line of local defense, the Airmen of security forces units dedicate their time and effort to keep us safe and maintain the rule of law on all Air Force bases and installations.
All police activities associated with an Air Force base, from securing the perimeter of the base to being a dog handler, fall under this career field.
During the winter months, this job becomes increasingly difficult as security forces personnel not only manage unit training and threats to base security but also the threat of inclement weather they often face this time of year.
The Airmen of the 445th Security Forces Squadron didn’t allow the cold, wet weather bother them as they participated in “Winter Challenge” Feb. 12, 2017 at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Warfighter Training Center.
The event consisted of several grueling activities including vehicle inspections, ammo carries, MOUT (military operations in urban terrain), and pushing a Humvee more than 200 feet by hand.
According to Tech. Sgt. Michael O’Callaghan, a fire team leader with the 445th SFS, “The winter challenge is a demonstration of the culmination of skills that we use across security forces as a whole. It demonstrates every skillset that we have.”
It is not only a measure of toughness and endurance, but it is fundamental in building on the foundations of teamwork and esprit de corps that the 445th SFS views as necessary to complete the challenges that they face on a daily basis.
Maj. Charles Trovarello, the commander of the 445th SFS, stated that, “This multi-purpose training serves to prepare us for operations stateside as well as worldwide. We have to be prepared for whatever is asked of us.”
The weather was less than ideal, but Maj. Trovarello did not seem to mind.
“The reason we do this training in cold weather is to prepare for any situation. You don’t get to choose the weather in your zone of operation,” he explained, as a smoke grenade goes off behind him with a loud bang. As green smoke billows in the background, he begins putting on his gear.
As green smoke billows in the background from a smoke grenade during an exercise scenario as the 445th Security Forces Squadron participates in ‘Winter Challenge’ here Feb. 12, 2017. The challenge is designed to provide an experience during inclement weather. The event consisted of several stages to include: vehicle inspections, ammo carries, MOUT (military operations in urban terrain), rolling a large tire and pushing a Humvee more than 200 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo /Tech. Sgt. Patrick O’Reilly)