86th SFS defenders ready to roll — always

“We always keep a bag packed; we don’t have time to settle in. Missions can come up at any second on any given day,” said Senior Airman Nathan Garcia, from the 86th Security Forces Squadron armory. “We have to maintain readiness.”

At any given time, defenders with the 86th SFS on deployment status can be tasked to deploy and conduct missions downrange.

Before these defenders can deploy, they must undergo fly-away, security team training where they improve their combative skills and perform tactical baton and verbal judo training. Ultimately, this allows them to ward off
hostile threats when securing aircraft.

“It’s tough, but really good training that prepares us for a mission. After that, we get a briefing (and) everything we need and head out,” said Airman 1st Class Samantha Birmingham, 86th SFS patrolwoman.

The deployed Airmen of the 86th SFS conduct the same operations they carry out on Ramstein, but they also assist in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa areas of responsibility.

“We are here defending the freedoms of our NATO allies,” said Airman 1st Class Isaiah Hains, 86th SFS patrolman. “Without us, the entire mission and security of the base could be compromised.”

When on mission, it can be easy for Airmen to become complacent and lose focus, Hains said.

“It’s key for us to utilize and remember the skills we have accumulated during tough training sessions so we don’t fall behind or become a hindrance to the mission,” Hains said.
Some of the higher-ranking Airmen on deployment status are tasked with leadership positions that give them an opportunity to take charge.

“I take it with pride,” Garcia said. “Being the only senior airman on the team, if anything should happen and there’s no one higher ranking, it’s my responsibility to ensure we accomplish mission objectives.”

Most SFS deployment teams consist of 24 Airmen who are selected for these missions because of their skills and visible improvements during training.

“Most of us are handpicked. It makes us feel like we really did our part to make ourselves stand out and show that we can take on all the responsibilities of a deployment,” Birmingham said. “If you get a deployment, you have to give it everything you’ve got and don’t take anything for granted.”

Defenders of the 86th SFS continue to maintain their readiness through their hard work and efforts in protecting the lives of not only members of the KMC, but lives of our NATO partners as well.