Guard, Reserve airmen provide security for detainee flightline
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FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (USTCNS) --- Before the attack on America, 10 men served their communities wearing deputy sheriff, police, prison warden or jail guard uniforms. They protected local citizens against criminals.
After Sept. 11, these men changed into their Air Force battle dress uniforms to serve the United States as members of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve assigned to the 92nd Security Forces Squadron here.
They came from as far as Pennsylvania and Oklahoma and as close as Spokane to serve the Fairchild community in whatever capacity they could, as gate guard, shift supervisor or patrolman.
What they didn't expect was the opportunity to serve in the global war on terrorism on a grander scale.
When members of the Taliban and al-Qaeda were captured, they were held in theater until a plan was in place to take them to Camp X-Ray at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
That plan included the 10 men at Fairchild, selected to provide the security for one of the flights carrying the detainees to Cuba.
"We were hand picked because of our civilian training," said a master sergeant Reservist. "We deal with bad people every day in the prison system - we were just putting them on a plane instead of a bus."
Their mission started New Year's Day. While most people were watching football, these security forces were going through a processing line complete with shots, weapons qualifications and paperwork.
After leaving Fairchild they arrived at Fort Dix, N.J., for some "just in time" training for the mission.
Coming face to face with the al-Qaeda and Taliban is surely a time in their life they will never forget.
"They were in poor condition - they looked like a defeated army," said the master sergeant.
The master sergeant said the detainees were treated humanely on the flight. They received food, and although some refused to eat, others accepted the food readily.
"The detainees had routine medical checks, bathroom breaks, water, food and medications, and any concerns were translated through an interpreter," said the master sergeant.
After returning home the team had accomplished a mission truly unique for the Guard and Reserves - or the active duty Air Force for that matter.
"It's really something no one else has ever done," said a technical sergeant reservist.
"It made my 20-year career worthwhile," said the master sergeant.
(FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
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