Photo By Tech. Sgt. Sahara Fales | The 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron tactical response force members clear a...... read more read more
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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. - "Deploy! Deploy! Deploy!" The team shouts as they race out of the vehicles and approach a chain link fence. Sparks fly as they begin to strike the barrier with a K12 saw to create a pathway. With 360-degree security set up, the team moves with swift and precise action into the rooms, not knowing what lies behind each set of doors. Each member has another's back as they find a job clearing their sectors. Simulated aggressors drop instantly as the team sweeps through the rooms, flowing in unison. Finally the shoot house is cleared of all enemies -- the exercise was a success.
The mission of the 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron Tactical Response Force is to respond to hostile attacks anywhere they occur within the 91st Missile Wing ICBM complex and to use all means necessary to defeat the adversary.
"Our primary duties basically just come down to security in the missile field," said Senior Airman Christopher Porche, 791st MSFS TRF assaulter. "On a broader scale our mission entails flying, ground coverage, deploying to the field and hitting different flight areas."
TRF has three different teams that rotate between training, flying and providing additional security; they remain on alert 24/7.
"The joint operations we run with the 54th Helicopter Squadron allows us to extend our reach because they're a lot faster. With their help we're basically like the 'Big Brother' for the missile field," said Senior Airman Jesus Contreras, 791st MSFS TRF assaulter, "We can be anywhere, anytime, to help out our Airmen and be that force multiplier they need."
Tactical response force team members also attend multiple courses that allow them to develop a special skill set necessary for Minot's dual mission.
"We go through the assaulter's course, the breacher's course, nuclear advanced designated marksman course, rappel master and the special reaction team course," said Senior Airman Gareck Esposito, 791st MSFS TRF member. "The certifications we receive, the schools we get to attend and the different agencies we get to work with, I feel like that is what sets us apart from everyone else."
Along with in-class training, TRF members make it their personal goal to exceed physical standards and keep their bodies at their peaks.
"We have to carry a lot of extra gear and we're out in the negative temperatures and dry, cold air huffing and puffing, but we know that we can push through it because of the training we've been through," said Contreras. "We're all big dogs just pushing and competing with each other. That just helps us be the best we can be."
Training also provides the team with an opportunity to build a stronger bond.
"The bond that you get from training with your team as you get to know each other over time is unbreakable," said Porche. "You get to know who people really are as individuals and as warriors."
"Every person on this team is willing to work hard every single day. They are willing to challenge themselves every single day and they aren't afraid to fail at those challenges because we all know that one of their teammates is going to pick them up at the end of the day," Esposito added.
For Contreras, his favorite part of the job is not only looking out for his unit, but looking out for Team Minot as a whole.
"Whenever we're out there flying, the guys on the ground are looking over their shoulder at us up in the sky," Contreras said. "It makes them feel safe to know we're up here looking down after them."
| Date Taken: | 11.23.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.12.2016 15:40 |
| Story ID: | 186145 |
| Location: | MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 321 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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