Shaw Security Forces Airmen impact with tact
Posted 8/28/2013 Updated 8/28/2013
by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/28/2013 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Approximately 30 Airmen from the 20th Security Forces Squadron participated in mandatory shoot, move and communicate training here, Aug. 21.

All 20th SFS members are required to successfully complete this particular training in order to move on to the next phase of training.

Shoot, move and communicate training is a requirement where all 20th SFS members must complete and maintain qualification for on the M4 carbine and M9 pistol. The training is held every six months for all members to be proficient at applying the necessary skills: shoot, move and communicate.

"The main purpose of the training exercise is to work together as teams to communicate and move as a single unit while maintaining weapon discipline to ensure team and bystander safety," explained Staff Sgt. Chandler Hildebrandt, 20th SFS unit trainer.

A Safer Afghanistan Security Forces Airmen doing more than just base defense
Story by Staff Sgt. Eric Burks, Air Forces Central Combat Camera
Photos by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder, Air Forces Central Combat Camera

Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, aim to make the country safer – one patrol at a time.

“When you think of security forces, you think of gates and ID cards,” said Staff Sgt. Alexis Rice. “Well, we’re doing more than just that.”

Rice is part of a “Mike” team, a select group of Airmen who operate beyond the barbed wire and concrete barriers of the airfield.

Typically, security forces Airmen provide air base defense from within the perimeter, Rice said. But at Bagram, Mike teams are a constant presence outside the gates, patrolling day and night in the surrounding villages. “Their job is not only to ensure base security,” he said, “but to protect area residents and perform counter-insurgency operations.”

- See more at: http://airman.dodlive.mil/2012/12/a-safer-afghanistan

Military working dog handler leads on battlefields of Afghanistan
By Master Sgt. Denise Johnson, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

The leadership skills Staff Sgt. Brian Williams developed in sports proved even more valuable in his career as an Airman and a military working dog handler. But Williams also brought the desire to win from the football and softball fields to Afghanistan, where his actions led to a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

April 25, 2012, was a day like any other for the 87th Security Forces Squadron member, who was midway through a six-month deployment with an Army unit in southern Afghanistan. He donned his battle gear, got a firm grip on his partner’s leash and headed to the convoy. Williams’ military working dog, Carly, was ready and willing to follow his confident handler.

- See more at: http://airman.dodlive.mil/2013/01/will-to-win/