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The Tip of The Spear in Force Protection

By Maj. Ann Peru Knabe

There's no official Air Force specialty code for their job, but they play a critical in the defense of the base. More than a hundred Airmen assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron serve as security escorts for third country nationals. Together, the escorts monitor the work of 300 TCNs who perform a variety of services to the base.

379th Expeditionary Services Squadron Third Country National escort, Senior Airman Oscar Santiago, keeps a watchful eye on TCNs. The TCN escort flight provides a second line of force protection in Southwest. Without their efforts, the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing couldn't continue its essential construction and service contracts.

"TCN escort is a tough job," said Lt. Col. Jennifer Kilbourn, 379th ECES commander. "But they are absolutely vital to resource protection of our installation. They are the tip of the spear in force protection. Without their efforts, the wing couldn't continue its essential construction and service contracts."

The escorts monitor every TCN move. They watch the TCNs pour concrete, pound nails, pump sewer, clean bathrooms and perform other service-related contracts.

Four TCN escorts serve as dumpster monitors, reviewing items thrown into the trash. During the course of their duty, they sometimes uncover major operational security violations.

"Our escorts have pulled bullet proof vests from dumpsters," said Master Sergeant Max Park. "They've found complete desert combat uniforms, and sensitive information like maps and charts. But most often, they find address labels of Airmen and loved ones back home. If these items fall into the wrong hands, it could spell disaster."

Tech. Sgt. Stan Newhard, a reservist deployed from the 349th Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., discovered a TCN taking personal information from a bus stop trash can.

"The threat is real," said the TCN escort area supervisor. "My Airmen have encountered TCNs monitoring aircraft and personnel movements, and have found anti-American graffiti."

Staff Sgt. Iman Dillard, a TCN escort deployed from the 60th Contracting Squadron at Travis AFB, Calif., said the majority of TCNs are good people.

"I discovered that only a handful of TCNs are here for negative purposes," said Sergeant Dillard. "Most come to do a full day's work, get their pay and go home to their families. But as escorts, we always need to keep a watchful eye for the few bad apples."

The escorts arrive for duty with diverse backgrounds.

"Our folks represent more than 30 different AFSCs," said Master Sgt. Max Park, the wing security escort program manager. "We have medical technicians, aircraft maintainers ... even firefighters. They come from the Guard, Reserve and active duty. But they all have something in common - they are dedicated to the mission of providing a second line of defense in force protection efforts."

Many TCN escorts find their duty challenging, but not for obvious reasons.

"The hours are long and the environment we work in can be very taxing with all the dust, noise and heat," said Sergeant Newhard. "But remaining mentally sharp is the most difficult part of the job. We have to be cognizant to the actions of many people to find that one person who is bent on harming us."

Sergeant Dillard agreed.

"As escorts, we must utilize our 'attention to detail' that we learned way back in basic training," he said. "In my opinion, escort duty isn't very hard physically, but mentally it is. We need to stay alert and vigilant, and ensure the only thing the TCNs are doing is their service contract work."

Sergeant Dillard said the most rewarding part of TCN escort duty is knowing we are helping keep other Airmen safe.

Most TCN escorts work 12-hour shifts, with one day off a week. Yet few complain. In fact, many volunteer to come back or extend their tours.