Deployed Peterson lieutenant provides air base defense

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Protecting thousands of lives and an estimated $3.2 billion in U.S. military resources is not a job to be taken lightly, especially when those personnel operate the primary aerial hub for Operation Iraqi Freedom and provide vital airlift support throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

This is the challenge 2nd Lt. Christopher Heinen, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Raptor Flight commander deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., faces each day here at an undisclosed location.

"Security Forces as a whole is critical to the mission because we're the primary means of Air Base Defense," said the deployed Team Pete member. "We have folks behind the scenes who draw up these plans while the troops on the ground, out in the elements where the metal meets the meat, enact and enforce them on a daily basis.

"My job is to lead these men and women in achieving an aggressive air base defense stance and military law enforcement structure while also winning the 'hearts and minds' of the host nation military and the local population in our patrol zone."

As the air base defense flight commander, Lieutenant Heinen provides initial on-scene command and control for all incidents, accidents and contingency operations here. Incident responses include everything from vehicle accidents and medical emergencies to unexploded ordnances, in-flight emergencies, ground emergencies, alarm activations, military exclusion zone violations and third country national violations.

In addition to any responses that occur, the lieutenant and his flight chief conduct daily post visits to check on the troops' morale, well-being and posts.

"Every day is different for us and each day brings new challenges," said the two-year Air Force veteran. "I love being on the ground, out with my troops, armed up and ready for what the day could bring. I work with an incredible group of men and women, each bringing their own unique knowledge, talent, and skills to the table. Getting to know each of them, being out with them, leading them day in and day out; there's no better job in the Air Force than this one."

The lieutenant said that while his home station mission and that of his mission downrange generally overlap, there is more of an emphasis on base defense here as opposed to law enforcement and security as is the case stateside.

" Base defense, law enforcement and security are incredibly important to the success of the mission at any given air base or forward operating base," he said, "and security forces as a whole is very flexible when operating within these different areas of focus. Our troops are all equally skilled across the board to competently accomplish any mission tasked of them."

Lieutenant Heinen, a 2008 Texas State University graduate, added that most people don't realize just how vast the security forces career field is.

"The depth of knowledge for security forces members goes beyond what the typical person might believe," he said. "Security forces is a multi-tasked, self-sustaining squadron. We have our own personnel section, investigators, supply and logistics section, a plans and programs section, and on top of all of this, we perform the air base defense mission, law enforcement mission and several different outside-the-wire missions."

The lieutenant, serving on his first deployment, said he has really enjoyed his time downrange so far, arriving for his six-month deployment in December 2009.

"This has been an eye-opening experience," he said. "It is a good first deployment to learn what it takes to lead a flight in an air base defense mission and to gain experience for more dangerous deployments, such as Afghanistan. I never expected to become as cultured as I am now with both host nation troops and the Bedouin population located in the patrol zone. Learning their customs and courtesies as well as being involved in the 'winning hearts and minds' process has been both interesting and rewarding."

The lieutenant said he can't wait to deploy again, having already volunteered to deploy out of cycle after he returns home later this summer.

"I love deploying," he said. "I've already voluntarily given up my six-month 'dwell rights' and hope to deploy again after a few weeks back home. My grandpa was a prisoner of war for three and a half years in World War II, and after hearing all of his war stories back in grade school, I wanted to be in the military. Deployments are what I've been waiting for since the fourth grade."

 

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