My time as a Defender Published Aug. 3, 2017 By Airman 1st Class John A. Crawford 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- As I sat at my desk listening to the rest of my office make grandiose plans for the extended weekend, and wondering how I was going to spend my own, I was called into my lieutenants office with one of my SNCO’s. “Airman Crawford, do you have any travel plans for this weekend?” the lieutenant said. “We were just asked if we could spare anyone to help out security forces.” “I’m not planning on going anywhere this weekend,” I said. “Well in that case, you’re going to be armed and guarding the front gate all weekend,” he said. I had always wanted to peek into the life of security forces. When I was growing up I loved both the police and the military and here was the chance to be a part of both at the same time. With some 48th Security Forces Squadron Airmen currently deployed, this was my opportunity to step-up to ensure the mission continues to get done here at home, defending the assets of my favorite uncle, Uncle Sam. I was excited to help out and was directed to report to Royal Air Force Feltwell at 7:30 a.m. the following day. At RAF Feltwell, I learned how to handcuff and search suspected personnel and preform vehicle searches prior to being introduced to the Use of Force virtual trainer. The Use of Force trainer is essentially a projector screen with modified M4, M9, and M240 “dummy” gas-recoil weapons. Each altered into light guns, just like the ones used with vintage arcade style game. The trainer showed various scenarios that Security Forces Airmen encounter on a daily basis which could be modified by the instructor to either escalate or deescalate the situation. The smell of burnt gunpowder hung heavy in the air on the following day when I returned for rifle qualification at the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance facility. Bullet casings from the M4 to my left ricocheted off of my face and glasses. So far, the training had been everything I had hoped for, albeit on an accelerated rate. I felt like I was ready to get to work. Every time I reported for the start of my shift, I received a pre-shift briefing. Security forces briefings are exactly what I imagined life would be like in the military. Standing in formation at parade rest as I was prepared for what to expect during the night. “Is everyone feeling mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically ready for this shift?” the supervisor for the shift asked at the end of every briefing, receiving a resounding ‘hooah’ in response. “Alright, let’s go stop some terrorists.” I armed up and climbed in the Humvee to head to my post. I relieved the Airmen at my assigned gate and settled in. Later that night, my gate was approached by the supervisor on duty who pulled up to the guard station and shouted “I’m not payin’ your stinkin’ toll!” as he drove off into the base in his police car, signaling the start of an exercise. I glanced at the Airman next to me as he reached for his radio and called in the simulated gate runner to the command center. The dispatcher responded in the affirmative and instructed us to simulate closing the gates. Our job done successfully, we continued listening to the other gates and patrols go through their exercises. The security forces augmentee duty had been what I had hoped for. I enjoyed the experience and I’m happy to have been able to help, even if it was only for a week. I came away with a greater appreciation of the training and work that Security Forces Airmen do every day and night to protect RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell and the Airmen and families who rely on them.