WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio - Senior Airman Theresa Grof, 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron, watches as Airman Esperanza Provencio, 88th Surgical Operations Squadron, checks the ID of a driver entering the base near the 445th AIrlift Wing. Airman Grof is a volunteer with the 445th Security Forces Squadron Augmentee program. (Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Amanda Duncan)

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Security Forces Squadron's Augmentee program beneficial to the wing

Published March 31, 2009
By Stacy Vaughn
445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- If you drive through Gate 26C during a unit training assembly weekend, don't be surprised if one Saturday the Airman checking your ID card is the same Airman who you normally see turning a wrench on a C-5 Galaxy out on the flight line. That Airman is part of a group of 12 volunteers from various career fields across the wing who are volunteers for the 445th Security Forces Squadron's Augmentee program.

The Security Forces Squadron's Augmentee program was established last year to help security forces accomplish some of their required duties that they could not accomplish due to limited manning caused by heavy deployments and training issues. One of their key priorities where the augmentees come into play is to keep Gate 26C open during the UTA weekends.

"It's been a very beneficial program to our unit, and we all appreciate the support of the volunteers who've stepped up to the program to help us out," said Master Sgt. Frank Lowder, 445th Security Forces Squadron RAVEN program manager, who'll be taking over the program. "Gate 26C is one of our big priorities in the unit that we've been tasked to keep open and operational during the primary and alternate UTAs. If not for the augmentees helping out, it would have been more difficult to accomplish that mission."

Sergeant Lowder said each volunteer goes through an 8-hour training instruction block before they are qualified to work at the gate. The training standards come directly from the Air Force Security Forces Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, which offers the minimum classes that the volunteers are instructed on during their training so they are fully qualified for this duty.

"During the training block, we go over what they need to look for while manning the gate. They are instructed on the use of force and the use of the weapon. We also run through different scenarios they may encounter at the gate," Sergeant Lowder said.

During the training, the volunteers are put through weapons qualification so they are qualified on the 9 mm pistol that they must carry at the gate. Even though the volunteers are prepared for any situation that may arise at the gate, there is at least one security forces member posted at the gate with them.

Sergeant Lowder said another part of the training covers the different ID cards that come through the gate; including how to look for an ID card that's been tampered with.

Asked if anything unusual comes up at the gate, augmentee volunteer Senior Airman Theresa Grof, 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said although it's been uneventful overall, she did have an interesting experience one time she was at the gate.

"I was checking IDs at the gate and a chief master sergeant gave me her Visa card and not her ID card. She was talking to someone in the car so she had no idea that I was looking at the wrong card. When she looked up I said, 'Ma'am I think you gave me the wrong card.' She looked a bit embarrassed but handed me her ID. We laughed and I said, 'Next time I was ordering pizza,'" Airman Grof said.

Master Sgt. Walter Bennett, 445th Security Forces Squadron security manager, said he's heard positive feedback from the augmentees about the program even though they are working long hours.

"It's very beneficial to us having them on board to help us out. There are long days on the gate for them. They're here from 4:30 a.m. and don't get to go home until 6 p.m., or later by the time they turn in their weapon at the armory," Sergeant Bennett said. "I understand it may be tough because they are putting in longer hours than they are used to with their regular jobs."

Senior Airman Stephanie Blevins, 445th Security Forces Squadron administrative assistant, said she didn't mind the long hours because the experience and training she has had so far can help her in the future. "I really enjoy working as an augmentee on the gate. My college major is criminal justice and I know that what they teach in the training will be beneficial to my future career field." Airman Blevins said she sees how hard the security forces members are working day-to-day and hopes to continue to help them out.

"It's a great experience that I think everyone should partake in," Airman Blevins said.