Photo By Airman 1st Class Dillian Bamman | An 820th Base Defense Group fire team speaks with simulated foreign natives during a...... read more read more
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MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Members of the 820th Base Defense Group and veterans of the group’s predecessor, Operation Safeside, rallied for the 2015 Safeside Reunion here April 9-11.
Operation Safeside was an elite unit of security forces under the 82d Combat Security Police Wing during the Vietnam War. Its mission was base defense, the heritage mission of today’s 820th BDG.
“I’d like to thank everyone, past and present defenders, for coming out and recognizing Operation Safeside,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Mike Ross, 820th Base Defense Group commander. “Without the contributions you all have made, [the 820 BDG] would’ve never came to be.”
The Safeside Association, a group of past and present defenders and their family members, visits Moody biennially to recognize heroism of exceptional defenders.
To kick off the day’s events, the 820th BDG hosted a memorial ceremony for Staff Sgt. Todd Lobraico Jr., 105th Airlift Wing truck commander, and Airman 1st Class LeeBernard Chavis, 824th Security Forces Squadron turret gunner.
During a contingency mission outside of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in September 2013, Lobraico placed himself directly between his fireteam and insurgents and was mortally wounded by gunfire.
On April 11, Lobraico was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the 4th highest military award for a service member.
Chavis was killed in action by a sniper’s bullet while patrolling with Iraqi police near Baghdad in October 2006 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Following the ceremony, the 820th BDG showcased its teamwork capabilities with static displays and a military operations in urban terrain demonstration for all Safeside Association members, highlighting their intelligence gathering and shoot, move and communicate procedures.
“This demonstration shows our intelligence gathering capability by establishing a relationship with the [simulated foreign natives],” said Master Sgt. Jason Walden, 820th Combat Operations Squadron. “You can really see the teamwork the fireteam has established through working together.”
Following the demonstration, the reunion concluded with a barbecue and awards ceremony hosted by retired Brig. Gen. Richard A. Coleman, former director of Security Forces, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
“I’m not a very emotional guy, but being here is bringing back a lot of memories,” said Coleman. “You all are my family … and I thank you for what you do.”
The Safeside Association commemorated Coleman for his part in establishing the 820th BDG by presenting the first Brig. Gen. Richard A. Coleman Awards for Master Sgt. Michael Murphy, 823d Base Defense Group, and retired Senior Master Sgt. Pete Villareal, Safeside Association vice president.
Safeside members continue to participate in events around the country, all united by Operation Safeside. According Nelson, they plan to make their return to Moody in 2017.
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2015 07:59 |
| Story ID: | 161752 |
| Location: | VALDOSTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 217 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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