31 SFS: Overwatching Aviano

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  It's 4:30 A.M., the moon is out, birds are chirping and the 31st Security Forces Squadron defenders are getting ready for their morning shift out at the gates; Protected Aircraft Shelters, and other functional areas around Aviano Air Base.

On a daily basis, these highly trained defenders maintain installation force protection, protect resources and guard two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter squadrons. This duty means guarding the bases secured entrances and exits, constantly patrolling the streets, and protecting assets on the flightline under any weather condition.

There are three layers of base defenses guarding our Airmen and facilities from harm; intelligence, installations perimeter and interior forces. The first layer of defense is intelligence.

"Knowledge is power," Master Sgt. Jeremiah Wilson, 31st SFS alpha flight chief. "We're constantly gathering intelligence from the Office of Special Investigations and multiple police forces within the local community to better understand threats to the base populace."

Knowing who and what the threats are is half the battle for the 31st SFS. Intel gives gate guards and patrolmen an edge during an emergency, they're the first line of defense in the installation's perimeter layer.

"Gate guards are a unique component of the Air Force, it's their responsibility to make sure the perimeter isn't breached," said Wilson. "We take young Airmen straight out of technical training and expose them to an environment where anything could happen."

Within the blink of an eye, a normal day at work can turn into a worst case scenario for the gate guards. It's important for the defenders to be vigilant in order to keep the perimeter safe.

"I'm never really sure who's going to come through the gate," said Senior Airman Matthew Yoder, 31st SFS monitoring facility operator, as his eyes scan the horizon of one of Aviano's busiest gates. "It's up to my fellow defenders, myself and our host nation partners to determine what we're going to do if a situations arises. We'll do whatever is necessary to ensure the fences stay up and the gates are kept secured."

In the off-chance security is breached, the 31st SFS makes sure the assailant doesn't go far. One of the systems is the gate runner denial barrier, which stops any vehicle if it races through the gates.

"With a push of a button, the gate runner denial system barrier will rise from the roadway," said Staff Sgt. Dean Dorf, 31st SFS vault area storage supervisor. "This will stop the vehicle from making progress. If they manage their way around the barrier, multiple patrol vehicles from our third layer of defense will stop the individual."

Just like communities, Aviano AB and other Air Force installations need interior security to prevent, respond, and control situations that may arise.

"To have a presence on the interior is just as important as our presence along the perimeter," said Wilson. "We need defenders to respond to emergencies on base, provide law enforcement and add additional security to areas that need it."

With the present threats to NATO forces in Europe and around the world, the 31st SFS defenders are putting their life on the line every time they arm up.

"As defenders, we're the only thing between our people and the individuals who want to do them harm," said Yoder. "Jets and supplies are expensive, but the most valuable asset is an Airman's life."

At the end of the duty day when team Aviano is heading home, defenders are there . . . at the gates, roads and shelters, manning the three layers of security and ensuring the 31st Fighter Wing mission to "deter, defend and develop" continues.