FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash -- The following is a question to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing Commander submitted by a member of Team Fairchild or the local community:
Question: Why do some security police salute retired officers and some do not?
Answer: The 92nd Security Forces Squadron here at Fairchild represents a true model of success in the Total Force Integration movement. The 92nd SFS Defenders are currently comprised of Air Force active duty, reserve, Air National Guard, civilian Air Force police and term contract personnel. All enlisted and officer personnel are required to salute commissioned officers and staff vehicles in accordance with military regulations, customs and courtesies. Security Force civilian police officers and term contract guards are not required nor expected to salute officers and staff vehicles due to their civilian status. They are easily identified by their woodland BDU-style uniform and a blue ball-cap style hat and adjoining police badge. Civilian police officers are not unique to Fairchild; bases all over Air Mobility Command and the Air Force are in the process of hiring civilians police officers to work alongside our military counterparts. Eventually, the Security Forces civilian police officers will wear Los Angeles Police Department-style uniforms (dark, navy blue) to further differentiate them from their Air Force-uniformed counterparts.
We hope this clears up any confusion surrounding this issue as we continue to expect a high level of pride and professionalism from our Team Fairchild Security Forces Defenders. Security Forces leadership will continue to stress proper customs and courtesies and remind Security Forces personnel, regardless of duty status, of the importance of being professional at all times. Should you have any other questions, please contact the Security Forces Operations Officer, Capt. Aaron Rittgers, at 247-5549. Thank you for us the opportunity to discuss this frequently asked question with the Fairchild community.