ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Translated from Latin, the motto of U.S. Air Force Security Forces – “Defensor Fortis” – literally means “strong defender.”
In the Air Force, this phrase has taken on a similar meaning, one that defines the Security Forces mission – “defenders of the force.”
Like other Air Force Security Forces personnel, otherwise referred to as Defenders, members of the 78th Security Forces Squadron at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, recognize their charge of defending the force should not be inhibited by base boundaries or state lines.
The squadron exemplified this with their recent arrival at Arnold Air Force Base.
Six members of the 78 SFS arrived at Arnold on Aug. 3 to provide stopgap support to Department of the Air Force police officers at Arnold. At Arnold, the 78 SFS Defenders will assist DAF officers with patrols, speed checks, incident response and other law enforcement activities within the Arnold mission area and on base property outside the installation gates.
“You’ll get to see a lot of us,” said 78 SFS Team Leader Tech Sgt. Joseph Jones, “especially if you’re speeding.”
78 SFS Defenders are active-duty Airmen tasked with ensuring the safety of personnel and assets across the globe. They conduct security and police work needed to protect installations and are responsible for missile security, combat arms and handling military working dogs.
“They’re a huge asset, and we’re extremely grateful that they’re here and willing to help,” Arnold AFB Security Forces Police Operations Lt. Andy Schwegler said of the Defenders from Robins. “It’s going to help with the law enforcement mission and to make traveling on Wattendorf [Memorial Highway] and the base much safer for the public and the base populace.”
At most Air Force installations, Defenders work alongside DAF police officers to carry out law enforcement functions and ensure the safety and security of the base.
“Pretty much anywhere there’s a Department of Defense asset, most of the time, there are Defenders there,” Jones said.
However, Arnold AFB is an exception, as its Security Forces team is comprised entirely of civilians.
The arrival of Defenders at Arnold represents a first for an installation that will mark its 75th anniversary next summer.
“We’ve never had active-duty Security Forces members at Arnold, so these Defenders being here is a first in Arnold’s history,” Schwegler said.
The 78 SFS members are scheduled to remain at Arnold 90 days from their arrival. Thus far, Jones said he and the rest of his team who made the trip are enjoying themselves.
“It’s a unique experience,” he said. “Just the way this base operates is different than anything we’ve ever experienced, so we’re just kind of taking it in, taking everything in. The history of this place is pretty incredible, and the people have been incredibly nice. Now I’m not saying people from Georgia aren’t, but Tennessee folks are a little bit different, in a good a way. So we’re just kind of taking everything in – the nature, the hospitality – everything.”
The Robins Defenders feel their time spent at Arnold will help them improve their skillset, with new knowledge gained from the temporary duty only further enhancing their ability to secure their home base upon their return, Jones said.
“The biggest benefit my guys are going to get is the experience,” Jones said. “They’re not going to get anything like this at home station. It’s just a way to kind of better ourselves.”
Jones also views the 78 SFS Defenders’ time at Arnold as a learning experience, as the squadron intends to implement best practices picked up from Arnold DAF officers at Robins.
“We want to be sponges and take up as much as these guys are going to teach us,” he said.