Night ops with the cops

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Taylor Curry
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  When the sun sets on Fairchild, it's not Batman or the Avengers who guarantee the safety of every aircraft on base and its population, but another class of hero: It's the 92nd Security Forces Squadron.

The mission for the 92nd SFS is to provide worldwide expeditionary combat support and force protection for the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, 141st Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Survival School and 15 joint tenant units.

"We provide security for KC-135 Stratotankers within both wings, in-transit aircraft and a mass conventional weapons system storage area," said Staff Sgt. Craig Sams, 92nd SFS installation patrolman. "Even when it's lights out, we still operate full time."

Upon arrival for duty every night, patrolmen arm up with the proper gear for the job, receive important information related to the duty day, then relieve the current flight and take charge of their posts for the remainder of the night.

"Throughout the night, we respond to any type of disturbance or incidents that may occur on base and its annexes," said Sams. "During that time, we are providing law enforcement, military working dog support and resource protection for the base and its entire population."

While working the night shift, many challenges arise for the patrolmen. One of those challenges include having to work around support services being closed during their duty hours.

"We are unable to step away to complete tasks that the majority of base members can accomplish during traditional duty hours," said Sams. "Completing objectives such as a trip to finance or the medical clinic require us to come in on our days off or forfeit rest or downtime with our families in order to get the task accomplished."

A member of security forces can be put in high stress situations requiring familiarity with security aspects, varying law enforcement situations, lethal application, weapons knowledge, use of force and the ability to make split second decisions up to and including the use of deadly force.

"We work hard, and in the end, it's all worth it knowing we've been able to help someone who may be a total stranger, in their most dire time of need," said Sams. "The 92nd SFS is there for the community, even if it means working throughout the night."