We Stand Guard Together!

Defenders, the civil unrest in the media over the loss of George Floyd has left Americans concerned and outraged.  We can all see the wrong in what took place.   The pain America feels for him and his family is real.

As a society we have come so far…which makes it just that much more painful to watch what is unfolding in the news and social media.  The reality of this situation makes us think about our role in respecting each other and doing what is right.

It is very unfortunate that it took a catastrophic event like this to bring America together…and it will take all of us in our own responsible way to make a course correction.

As a respected and professional Law Enforcement Career Field, it is inherent that we continue to treat each other and those we Protect, Defend and Serve with the Dignity and Respect that everyone deserves, regardless of the situation.  

Our Defender standard is Dignity and Respect for those we Protect & Serve, because we all (38K Total Force Defenders) serve and fight for what is right and just for a country that we love. 

We are always stronger together….and we must continue to BREATHE for those who cannot…and speak with one voice.  

Today Defenders…we are “Standing Guard”…I stand with 38K Professional Defenders and those who came before us.  I am extremely honored to serve with an elite group of Defenders who wear the badge proudly. 

Your Security Forces leadership condemns racism in any form and stand in SOLIDARITY with those affected

Stay Vigilant, Stay Safe and continue to be the very best Defenders we can for our Air Force and our Country! 

 

Top Cop - BG Collins 

Mrs. Scheppers

Chief Hartz

Police Week 2020: Ramstein Honors Fallen Law Enforcement

By TSgt Jocelyn A. Ford, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, 8 May 2020

A U.S. Air Force 86th Security Forces Squadron patrol car is parked prior to participating in a caravan of Kaiserslautern Military Community first responders at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 7 May 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by A1C Taylor D. Slater)

 RAMSTEIN AIR BASE --

Though coronavirus disease 2019 is hindering activities that once drew huge crowds, COVID-19 will not stop a nation from honoring and remembering law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

On Oct. 1, 1962, former President John F. Kennedy signed a bill into law designating May 15 as a day to honor peace officers. Twenty years later, an annual memorial service began in Washington D.C., at Senate Park, and the week encompassing Peace Officers Memorial Day has since been referred to as Police Week.

“Police Week is a humbling week,” said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Bonham, 86th Security Forces Squadron flight sergeant. “We remember our Defenders and why we do the job.”

The Monday of Police Week has historically started with a prayer breakfast and a small commencement ceremony, followed by a week full of events. Traditionally there are law enforcement-centric competitions that bring the different law enforcement agencies together in both a humbling and exciting way.

“It’s really exciting and a humbling event to be a part of,” Bonham said. “It’s awesome because it gets all the law enforcement agencies in the area together to celebrate National Police Week and remember everything that’s going on with law enforcement.”

Due to restrictions on social gatherings, ceremonies and events are scheduled to be aired or held virtually this year. The 569th, 435th and 86th SFS’s together created the Ramstein Police Week Virtual 5k Facebook group to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the line of duty. Anyone who wants to participate in the virtual run can join the group.

Though the final guard mount will not be a public event, each unit still performing guard mount will take the time to honor those U.S. Air Force law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty since 9/11.

Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson, 21, Sept. 28, 2005, Camp Bucca, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, 28, Jan. 22, 2006, Taji, Iraq

Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Norton, 32, Jan. 22, 2006, Taji, Iraq

Airman 1st Class Leebernard E. Chavis, 21, Oct. 14, 2006, Baghdad, Iraq

Staff Sgt. John T. Self, 29, May 14, 2007, Baghdad, Iraq

Airman 1st Class Jason D. Nathan, 22, June 23, 2007, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Travis L. Griffin, 28, April 3, 2008, Baghdad, Iraq

1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton, 24, Sept. 8, 2009, Baghdad, Iraq

Senior Airman Nicholas Alden, 25, March 2, 2011, Frankfurt, Germany

Staff Sgt. Todd “TJ” Lobraico, 22, Sept. 5, 2013, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

Airman 1st Class Kcey E. Ruiz, 21, Oct. 2, 2015, Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan

Senior Airman Nathan C. Sartain, 29, Oct. 2, 2015, Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan

Tech. Sgt. Joseph G. Lemm, 45, Dec. 21, 2015, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

 Staff Sgt. Louis M. Bonacasa, 31, Dec. 21, 2015, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

Air Force Academy Unveils License Plate Readers at Gates

License plate readers at the U.S. Air Force Academy are scanning the plates of every vehicle entering the base through the north and south gates. The newly-installed technology, commonly used by civilian law enforcement agencies, is another means of defending the base. (U.S. Air Force Academy photo)

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Newly installed license plate readers at the Air Force Academy are scanning the plates of every vehicle entering the base today through the north and south gates.

A patrol vehicle used by the 10th Security Forces Squadron, the base’s law enforcement unit, has also been fitted with a license plate reader.  

“License plate readers check the plates of all vehicles entering the installation against national and local law enforcement databases and registries,” said Col. Marcus Corbett, commander of the 10th SFS. “They offer us an opportunity to leverage technology to provide early detection of potential threats.”

The readers indicate if a vehicle is stolen, involved in an “Amber Alert,” if the driver is a wanted person, or other violations and concerns. 

Peterson Air Force Base was the first military installation in the Colorado Springs area to install the readers.

“Although not mandated by the Defense Department or the Air Force, license plate readers have been successfully used by civilian law enforcement officers to curtail crime,” said Capt. Moses Lee, the 10th SFS operations officer. “They’re just another terrific tool for keeping our community safe.”

Lee said the readers operate quickly.

“The technology is fast so we don’t expect delays at the gates to be a regular occurrence,” he said.

Easter Bunny Visits Children of Deployed Parents

A1C Cameron Otte, 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

The Easter Bunny made a stop at Travis Air Force Base April 11 to visit families of deployed service members.

The Easter Bunny prepares to give candy to children from military families with deployed parents, April 11, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The Easter Bunny hand-delivered 163 bags of candy to the children’s homes. U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cameron Otte

Jannet Rodriguez, a unit program coordinator for the 60th Security Forces Squadron at Travis AFB, organized the visit to deliver some cheer during the coronavirus pandemic.

“With all the gloom of being in quarantine and the lockdowns, I think it’s important to spread some joy,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to allow the opportunity for children to have an Easter event and not feel left out. We were going to have a squadron event, but since they were unable to come to us we decided to come to them.”

The Easter Bunny went door-to-door to visit with Travis families and delivered 163 candy bags.

“We started by purchasing 800 eggs and all the decorations needed to pack them,” Rodriguez said. “Then, we coordinated with the volunteers to pack the eggs and make the bags. After we finished, we mapped all the houses that we were going to deliver to on Saturday.”

The volunteers also made Easter bags for deployed service members to receive upon their return.

“I have a child, so I can relate to the other spouses on base who feel they are missing out on this holiday,” Rodriguez said.

The families seemed to really enjoy the event and the unexpected visit from the Easter bunny.

“I think what they are doing is great,” said Ericka Hrkach, spouse of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jordan Hrkach, 60th SFS military working dog handler. “My kids were so excited to see the Easter Bunny for the first time. It made us happy and was a very special moment for our kids.”

Rodriguez said the event was a success because the Travis community came together.

“It feels so great getting involved with events like these,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes I go a little overboard and end up getting in over my head, and that’s why I’m so thankful to all the volunteers who helped support this with me. I think all the effort is worth it when you see a child’s face light up with excitement because nothing is more precious than a child’s smile.

“I think it’s great people are still willing to volunteer even with all the extra precautions people have to take because of the coronavirus.”

 DoD Response to COVID-19 - DoD ID Cards and Benefits

The Department of Defense is committed to protecting the security of our nation and its people by issuing identification (ID) cards to individuals requiring access to government systems and facilities, and to eligible individuals authorized to receive Uniformed Service benefits and privileges by law.

The Department is equally committed to the safety of our personnel and beneficiaries, including retirees and other high-risk populations. This includes ensuring continued access to healthcare and other benefits during this time of increasing precaution and restrictions in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). To ensure DoD ID card offices are postured to maintain continuity of operations, and to minimize the number of non-essential required visits at DoD ID card offices, the following guidance is in effect through September 30, 2020:

Common Access Cards (CAC) & Volunteer Logical Access Credentials (VoLAC)

  • CACs and VoLACs which expire on or after April 16, 2020, and are within 30 days of expiration, may have the certificates updated using ID Card Office Online to allow for continued use for logical access through September 30, 2020. The User Guide below provides details on who is eligible, and whom to contact for questions or problems. 
  • CACs shall not be reissued due to printed information changes (e.g., promotions, name changes). 
  • CACs that expire on or after April 16, 2020, are authorized for continued use to facilitate access to benefits through September 30, 2020, if the cardholder’s eligibility for benefits is unchanged. 
  • Existing and new Trusted Associate Sponsorship System (TASS) applications will be valid for 180 days, permitting TASS-sponsored cardholders to take advantage of the remote options to update their certificates. 
  • The policy memorandum allowing transferring DoD civilian employees to retain their CAC will be reissued. 

Uniformed Services ID Cards (USID) 

  • If a cardholder's affiliation is unchanged, USID cards which expired on or after January 1, 2020, are authorized for continued benefit use through September 30, 2020. 
  • Termination of cardholder affiliation with the DoD or termination of benefit eligibility shall be verified electronically prior to confiscating an expired USID card with an expiration date on or after January 1, 2020. 
  • Remote USID card renewals and reissuance shall be expanded. 
  • Remote family member enrollment/eligibility updates are authorized. 
  • Remote USID card initial issuance for first-time issuance or replacement of lost/stolen ID card is authorized. 
  • All remotely-issued USID cards shall be issued with an expiration date not to exceed one year from the date of issuance. 
  • The minimum age for initial USID card issuance is increased from 10 to 14 years. 
  • Continued use of the Reserve USID card to obtain active duty benefits is authorized for mobilized Reservists and their eligible dependents. 

The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) will continue to be the authoritative source to verify statutory eligibility for DoD Healthcare and other benefits.

 U.S. Air Force Public Affairs published information on cac.mil about the new policy to accept expired credentials. Find the language and more information at:

https://www.cac.mil/Coronavirus/

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