Team Pete cops support Enduring Freedom Published July 19, 2007 KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Twenty-two members from the 21st Security Forces Squadron are performing a unique mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The two teams, led by Master Sgt. Jason Keyser and Tech. Sgt. John Goodman, left Peterson this spring to attend combat skills training at Eglin AFB, Fla., and then on to begin their deployment at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. "Team Pete" took Kandahar Air Field by storm soon after arrival. They're credited for protecting the Secretary of Defense and Vice-Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, executing joint MP traffic enforcement operations, and issuing more than 800 traffic citations. They've also seized countless amounts of opium and hashish, and items that could be used for constructing IEDs. "These accomplishments are integral to ensuring Kandahar remains a safe and secure location to successfully launch reconstruction and combat missions," said Senior Master Sgt. William Ward, U.S. provost sergeant at Kandahar Air Field. The Peterson teams are also credited with improving relations with other foreign national military police units. British Wing Commander Anthony Beasant, commander, Kandahar Force Protection, said he has "witnessed a drastic improvement of cooperation and dialogue with Alliance partners since the teams' arrival." While deployed in Afghanistan, these Team Pete Defenders are working with the U.S. Army and leading the law and order, and force protection missions. The teams are directly responsible for the safety and security of more than 10,000 U.S. and Alliance forces operating at Kandahar Air Field. Their duties include traffic enforcement, accident and criminal investigation, and police services responsibilities. In addition to law and order, they also perform various force protection missions such as entry control, fuel transfer points security, immediate reaction forces, U.S. Customs, and generating contractor badges. These duties provide the Airmen a rare opportunity to closely interact with Afghanistan nationals. The team has been enjoying the new aspects of their mission. "I like learning the different terminology (the British MPs) use...it's truly a cultural experience," said Staff Sgt. Ray Marquez. "It's been an experience of a lifetime," added Airman 1st Class Solomon Quitugua. "I enjoy working with all the other nationalities and experiencing different cultures. "The best part of my job is the different types of patrol responses I go to, and being able to help people - even if it's as simple as making sure they have water while waiting for the situation to resolve," said Airman 1st Class Stephanie Mariscal. Although the summer heat is bearing down on the group, the Airmen are working well together. "The camaraderie and high morale is evident among the team," said Sergeant Keyser. "I'm fortunate to be deployed with an exceptional group of professionals who take their work and contribution to the mission seriously." "It's hot with all the gear on, but it's worth it in the end to get the feeling of accomplishment," Sergeant Goodman added. "When you come home and you can ring the sweat out of your clothes, you know you've done a good day's work."