21st SFS keeping base, world safe

  • Published
  • By Corey Dahl
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  For members of the 21st Security Forces Squadron, it's practically illegal to be stationary for too long.

One of Peterson's busiest squadrons, the 21st SFS is constantly on its toes, making sure Peterson's people and buildings are safe and secure. The squadron's more than 200 members are in charge of everything from running the Visitor Control Center to training bomb- and drug-sniffing dogs to patrolling the base 24 hours a day.

What's more, the 21st SFS - like most Air Force security forces units - continues to be heavily tasked for deployments in support of the ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. At any given time, as many as half of Peterson's security forces members are deployed in support of the Global War on Terror. Five of the unit's members have been awarded Bronze Stars.

"We're pretty busy, because we're not just here, we're a deploying unit, too," said Capt. Kevin Lombardo, 21st SFS operations officer. "It's all about heroes in action."

At home, the most visible component of the 21st SFS is probably its patrolmen, who guard the base at all times and watch out for everything from traffic violations to unauthorized activities on the flight line. Most base users have also met the 21st SFS members who run the visitor's center and the more than 30 gate guards the squadron hires through a private contractor.

But the 21st SFS is also responsible for a lot of activities most people never see. The unit's members run the base armory, which stores and maintains more than 200 weapons for security forces members, deploying servicemembers and a variety of other units. The intelligence section investigates cases and stays on top of anti-terrorism efforts. And the military working dog section runs the second-largest MWD kennel in the U.S., taking care of about 15 bomb- and drug-detecting canines.

All those mission areas mean security forces personnel are in high demand in Iraq and Afghanistan these days. Members of the squadron, like Staff Sgt. Jordan Freeman, the unit's non-commissioned officer in charge of anti-terrorism, can expect to serve multiple tours abroad.

"I've deployed, and I'll deploy again soon," he said. "I like it, though. You feel like you're doing something because you actually see the bad guys, every day, everywhere you go. It makes me feel like we're doing our part in the war on terror."

To make sure Peterson's security remains up to par in light of so many deployments, the 21st SFS has called up guard and reserve members to help support the force. Non-security forces Airmen from around Peterson have also been selected for augmentee duty, joining the 21st SFS for short stints of duty.

"Having this kind of diversity is actually nice," said Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Pavlick, 21st SFS first sergeant. "We're a total force squadron right now, so we've got a broad experience base to draw from."

It's likely those augmentees will end up building on that experience through their time with the 21st SFS. According to Airman 1st Class Shaun Leroy, a security forces patrolman here, there's rarely a dull moment on the job - and that's a good thing.

"Here, you get to meet people, get out; there's plenty of stuff to keep you busy. I think it's a lot better than sitting behind a computer every day," he said.

 

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