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***image1***When two C-17 Globemaster aircraft sat on an airfield in the middle of Sub-Saharan Africa, the U.S. Air Force was confident the $600 million aircraft were safe because of a robust security forces team from the 786th Security Forces Squadron stationed at Sembach.
The squadron, which is attached to the 86th Contingency Response Group on Ramstein, is one of a kind.
“We are very unique,” said Maj. Tom Sherman, 786th SFS commander. “Out of 90 people, we have 13 different Air Force specialty codes and a third of the squadron is Airborne qualified.”
To support a recent mission in Africa, the squadron deployed a diversified security forces team to provide airfield security, force protection oversight, command and control, and fly away security to C-17 aircraft and aircrews.
The crews were transporting Rwandan troops from Kigali, Rwanda, into El Fasher, Sudan, in support of the African Union’s Darfur conflict.
From snipers, Phoenix Ravens and Ranger-trained and specialized security personnel, the 786th SFS offers the African mission options for their security needs.
“We form security teams to meet a specific threat,” said Major Sherman. “The mission and intelligence reports drive how we create our concept of defense.”
Regardless of the team, there are always at least two people, said Tech. Sgt. Bryant Ward, 786th SFS Phoenix Raven. The small teams, usually two to six people, are highly trained in a wide range of skills from communicating with host nationals to ground combat. The small teams are self-sustained and often work in the field.
Security teams have excellent communication with each other and spend every chance they get to review plans and talk about different scenarios.
“We are all very comfortable working together because we train together,” said Staff Sgt. James Woodford, 786th SFS Phoenix Raven. “We spend a lot of time together in the field.”
If the squadron is not out on a mission, the Airmen are busy training to prepare for their next mission, wherever and whenever that may be. The squadron reviews all applicants and only grants coveted slots to those Airmen that are the best of the best, said Master Sgt. Stephen Arbona, 786th SFS operations superintendent.
Even the commander had his eye on the coveted position as the squadron commander for the unique security forces squadron.
“I have my dream job,” said Major Sherman. “I heard about the job seven years ago and knew I wanted to be a part of this.”
The squadron was created in February of 1999 and has had a phenomenal history of successes. Airmen from the 786th SFS wrote the Air Force Doctrine on sniper operations, said Sergeant Arbona. Beyond doctrine, the squadron has consistently won Department of Defense and Air Force-level competitions, proving their unique and skilled capabilities.
The squadron’s track record makes them a first choice for the U.S. government to support high-visibility missions involving Airmen and multi-million dollar assets, such as the movement of Rwandan troops into Sudan.
