News

78th SFS mission involves many parts to secure Robins

  • Published
  • By Holly Birchfield
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Gate guards are the first faces base employees and guests see as they arrive at Robins, but the 78th Security Forces Squadron's mission of protecting base assets and people goes much deeper.

Capt. Eric Horst, Operations officer in the 78th SFS who has been in the unit since 2005, said the squadron's mission has evolved through the years. The unit's mission is more integrated now.

"The security forces squadron has two main functions as people refer to it with law enforcement and security," he said. "Back in the mid to late '90s, security police used to have two separate entities. You actually had a security section and a law enforcement section and folks didn't blur the lines. You stayed on one side or the other. Now, when they became security forces, everybody was cross trained to do all the functions."

Captain Horst said some parts of the mission are more visible than others.

"The law enforcement side is more of what people see day to day," he said. "They see the patrols just like you would with the downtown police department."

Master Sgt. Vincent Dewberry, operations superintendent in the 78th SFS, said entry control is one of the unit's most important missions.

"Entry into the base is one of our most critical pieces of security," he said. "We control thousands of vehicles coming on every day and we have to make sure that everyone who comes on the installation belongs on the installation, a humongous task."

Sergeant Dewberry said there's no room for error.

"Our folks have to be sharp all the time," he said. "We can't afford any mistakes, because that one mistake might be the one that comes back to bite us."

Certain parts of the mission, such as the Reports and Analysis Section, are less visible, but fulfill an essential role in the mission.

Staff Sgt. Christian Craig, NCOIC of the Reports and Analysis Section in 78th SFS, said most of his job is behind the scenes.

"Our primary responsibility is that we process the tickets," he said. "We assess any points violations to base driving records. We review tickets and reports and statements that our patrolman take and review them for accuracy, completion and grammar."

Sergeant Craig said additionally, his section handles rebuttals to ticket citations, reinstatement of driving privileges when they've been revoked and reconsideration of those who've been barred from Robins.

Tracking of driving under the influence and other crime statistics also fall under the section's purview.

"Whenever there is an alcohol-related incident, we are notified through off-base agencies," Sergeant Craig said. "We have memorandums of agreement with the local police agencies to notify us whenever a military member is arrested for some reason."

Sergeant Craig said his section tracks statistics on accidents and speed enforcement problems so adjustments may be made to patrols and other areas for effective traffic control.

Captain Horst said the unit's mission isn't always taken as seriously by the public as it should be.

"I think a lot of folks look at the gate guards like glorified mall security," he said. "While what you see may seem like a very mundane task every day, it's all part of a bigger picture. If the gate guards weren't doing what they're supposed to do, then that would not allow the folks on patrol do what they're supposed to do, which would not allow the people to have secured buildings and it just goes on and on from there."

Sergeant Dewberry said the security forces mission doesn't take a break either.

"These guys' days start very early," he said. "You have 24/7 security, 365 days a year nonstop. Holidays, weekends, it doesn't matter. These guys are out there. As long as we have assets to protect, we're out there no matter what."

Even though the mission's parts vary, they all serve a common goal - to serve and protect Robins.

Captain Horst said the base populace seems to have mixed emotions about his unit's presence.

"It's just like with the police downtown," he said. "You don't pay attention to them until they pay attention to you. It's a love/hate relationship. When they're pulling you over because you're going too fast, you don't like it; but when you're hurt and when you're scared, you want that person to be there. You want the cops to be there and you feel good when they show up."