SrA Stephen R. Williamson, USAF
30th Security Forces Squadron
United States Air Force
E-mail concerning U.S. Air Force Security Forces:
USAF Security Forces are very much MOUT oriented. These forces recieve regular training in military urban operations. The Security Force's primary mission is to secure airfields and the immediate area that can influence air operations. This mission involves clearing of structures on the airfield. However, if the airfield is located in an urban environment (adjacent to or in a city or town) the Security Force is responsible for clearing a suitable perimeter (free from any anti-air threats to include man-portable air-defense weapons). This includes clearing the surface-to-air-missile (SAM) 'footprint' at either end of the flightline/runway and any air avenue of approach into the airfield. This inherent MOUT mission of USAF Security Forces has resulted in combat building clearing becoming an essential part of training. A specialized expeditionary unit (Force Protection) was formed as a direct result of the Khobar Towers bombing on 25 Jun 96. This unit is currently headquartered out of Lackland AFB with branches at various bases supporting their mobility mission. Eventually all aspects of Force Protection will be located and based out of Lackland. This unit has a 48 hour notice mobility capability. Their mission is to take a currently unoccupied base and secure it for U.S. utilization.
Recently the equipment that the Security Forces deploy with has become standardized. Of particular note, lessons learned have led the to the inclusion of chainsaws in the equipment list. The Security Forces find this asset to be an alternate and unexpected means of entry into a room. Doors and windows are obvious entrances and therefore are likely to be booby-traped or otherwise defended. Chainsaws allow us to cut holes in walls or even in the floor, providing access to the floor below you.
Additonally, the Security Forces have just begun to include shotguns as a T/O weapon. This is in addition to the M-16s, SAWs, M-60s, and M-203s we normally equip squads with. Add fragmentation grenades to the list and the result is a versatility in firepower for most MOUT combat situations. A large majority of the Security Forces recieve training with shotguns, as they fill a an essential part of our overall law enforcement mission.
The MOUT Homepage Hot Links:
Air Force Security Forces (Lackland AFB Homepage - Scroll Down to Security Forces Site)
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