A day in the life of a security forces Airman

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clay Murray
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  This is the life of an Air Force security forces Airman. They have their reputations, and every Airman knows them. Deployments are normal, long hours common, weekend shifts not irregular. Some say that reputations and stereotypes have their roots, but how accurate are they?

Meet Airman 1st Class James Mustain. He is a patrolman with the 75th Security Forces Squadron. Originally from Indiana, Airman Mustain joined the Air Force late in 2006 after more than three years of college, and was admitted to basic training a month later. Later during his time in the Air Force, he would like to apply for recruiting. After a day with this security forces Airman, stereotypes will show their true colors.

To accommodate for unpredictable schedules and sketchy shifts, security forces Airmen at Hill AFB receive basic allowance for subsistence in the form of pay rather than meal card. Airman Mustain begins his work day with a balanced breakfast sandwich with hashbrowns. He makes quick waste of the meal and returns to patrol.

No more than five minutes later, Airman Mustain spots a van with a rider not wearing a seatbelt properly. He pulls the vehicle over, and even though he has been cussed out during pullovers, he approaches in a friendly manner and reminds the driver about the seat belt laws on the installation.

"We don't typically pull people over as much anymore," said Airman Mustain. "We try to do more community policing."

Community policing is where patrolmen temporarily abandon their patrol cars and peruse the area on foot, in order to spend face-to-face time with the community members. This provides a more personal relationship between the police and the community and in theory makes for citizens who are not afraid to approach police.

Since the flightline is within Airman Mustain's patrol zone, it's one of the areas he has to periodically monitor. After removing rocks and other foreign object damage from his government vehicle's tires, he proceeds to the flightline to check it out. Mechanics spinning tools, Airmen delivering equipment, and pilots ... nothing out of the ordinary.

After some area patrolling, Airman Mustain receives a call to do a gate detail for the 649th Munitions Squadron. At the gate, he speaks with the munitions Airman and proceeds to check in the truck drivers. Once the trucks arrive at their destination on base, he returns to his zone to patrol.

Every day patrolmen are asked to actively do some community policing. For this task, Airman Mustain visits the shopette and the base exchange. He speaks with both customers and employees.

"Our commander is a huge advocate of community policing," said Airman Mustain. "He thinks it's an effective and friendly way to be a cop."

After lunch, not long after Airman Mustain resumes his patrol, a muffled voice echoes over the intercom.

"Patrol units," the law enforcement desk says, "the South Gate has been breached."

Already eastbound toward the gate, Airman Mustain opens the throttle in the V-8 Chevrolet, but does not neglect speed limits or road safety. After communication and a little planning, the situation is resolved.

At the end of every work day, it's common courtesy for the last person to lock the building. In this day and age, buildings aren't locked with the same keys from the 20th century. Some buildings on base use an electronic system that can be accidently triggered. When the alarm system for Bldg. 5 reports a problem, Airman Mustain goes to the scene.

"It's actually something that happens pretty often," says Airman Mustain. "In fact, it seems like everyday we're checking on buildings that were set off."

Rank has its privileges. Since Airman Mustain is the lowest ranking on patrol duty, his last two hours of the shift will be spent standing by while others try to get in contact with the building manager.

Exciting, dull and daunting moments all line the day of a security forces Airman. Stereotypes of long shifts and critical response to base threats hold true in a day in the life of Airman Mustain. 

This article is the third in a series of articles based on the day in the life of...