Photo By Staff Sgt. Brandon Esau | U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicholas Terry, 100th Security Forces Squadron...... read more read more
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RAF Mildenhall, England – “Defensor Fortis,” or Defenders of the Force, is the motto every U.S. Air Force security forces Airman lives by, and defending the force all over the world has always been their mission.
To ensure Defenders are able to complete the mission and provide safety and security to RAF Mildenhall, the armorers of the 100th Security Forces Squadron work diligently to supply Airmen with the tools necessary to complete their mission and safeguard the only U.S. air refueling mission in Europe.
“We are the central focus of security forces,” said Staff Sgt. Kino Garraway, 100th SFS armory NCO-in- charge. “Our overall mission is to provide base defense and we’re tasked with standing guard and protecting our refuelers.”
Most armories around the Air Force have an assortment of weapons, ammunition and other equipment to defend bases home and abroad, and Garraway explained the 100th SFS armory is no exception.
“In this armory, we load out M-4 carbine rifles, M-9 pistols, M-870 shotguns, M-240 Bravo and M-249 machine guns, M-230 grenade launchers and assortment of ammunition, radios, Tasers and other law enforcement and security supplies,” Garraway said.
With the mission of Team Mildenhall never coming to a halt, the armory never stops moving either. The armory is a 24/7 operation, with armorers working 12-hour shifts. These shift changes coincide with security forces flights coming on and off post, with armorers taking inventories of weapons and ammo, cleaning weapons and completing other administrative duties.
“We are all about 100 percent accountability in this armory,” said Senior Airman Oscar Rivera, 100th SFS armory assistant. “When an Airman comes off post, they turn in their weapons, ammo, radio and baton, and once everything is accounted for, they turn in their weapon card. Weapons are then cleaned and prepared for duty.”
By being the nuts and bolts of security forces, armorers understand this unique experience allows for them to work behind the scenes and see how every facet of their unit works to provide safety and security to those who call RAF Mildenhall home.
“It’s been a great experience for me,” Rivera said. “I was on flight for the past two years, but in my past year as an armorer I have been able to see how every function of security forces works. The armory is the heart of our squadron and it’s good to know how we support the mission.”
Airman 1st Class Nicholas Terry, 100th SFS armorer and one of the most recent members to join the team, agreed.
“It’s so interesting to see the different aspects of security forces,” Terry said. “Before I arrived, I didn’t really have an appreciation for what went on here. I would come, get my weapon and go out on post, but working here has given me a new perspective.”
Defending the base and being prepared for any adversarial threats is of critical importance to security forces Defenders, and those in the armory know they must be prepared at a moment’s notice.
“With being in the military and being in security forces, you never know when something could arise,” Garraway said. “When a threat is imminent, shift is focused on our unit and a spotlight is put on the armory because Airmen need to come here, arm up and respond swiftly. We always have this in the back of our minds and are always prepared to keep our community safe.”
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2018 09:12 |
| Story ID: | 294778 |
| Location: | BURY ST. EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK, GB |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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