Security more than weapons, walls

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Cop cars, entry gates and flight line patrols are typically where one thinks of seeing 325th Security Forces Squadron members.

There is much more to Tyndall's law enforcement than meets the eye.

The 325th SFS plans and programs office is the hub for installation integrated defense 'whole base' concept.

The office manages installation alarms and cameras. They provide aid in force protection by monitoring the open storage, controlled and restricted areas throughout the base.

They also monitor the installation gates in case an incident occurs, explained Staff Sgt. Marcela Calvillo, 325th Security Forces Squadron assistant NCO in charge of electronic security systems.

"The section encompasses my entire squadron plus the installation," said Sergeant Calvillo. "Any alarm issues that affect the base we are the first ones to know about them. There are two staff personnel, two contractors, and 10 alarm monitors."

The staff personnel do administrative work as well as Intrusion Detection System (IDS) site visits. The contractors provide maintenance to alarmed facilities and installation cameras and conduct site visits for IDS installation for new areas requiring IDS.

Staff Sgt. Keith Meade, 325th SFS electronic security systems NCO in charge, maintains the IDS and base camera systems.

"Force protection is provided through the use of Vindicator IDS," Sergeant Meade explained. "The system is used on controlled and restricted areas as well as visual support to base defense operations center (BDOC) for all installation gates."

The staff personnel are self-trained to do all the administrative and technical support for the Vindicator IDS and camera system, while the contractors provide expert technical support. The alarm monitors monitor all alarms using the Vindicator Visual Command and Control (VCC).

"The unique and sometimes challenging thing about working with electronic security systems is that we have to be trained in electronics, cameras and communications equipment," said Sergeant Meade.

There are additional duties for Sergeant Meade and the section, which include unit frequency manger (for duress buttons), information assurance officer, facility manager, unit security manager, and provide independent government estimate (IGE) for new IDS and camera installations. Sergeant Meade also approves and certifies new IDS and camera installations and is on-call 24/7 for Vindicator IDS support.

"This section and job are important because we provide support for systems that protect classified information as well as visual assessments of all installation gate traffic flow," Sergeant Meade said.

This is a very difficult job because it requires us to learn so much information in so little time and it is ever evolving, explained Sergeant Calvillo.

"The section is the liaison between all the other units and the DFC," said Staff Sergeant Hanna Havenar, 325th SFS NCO in charge of resource protection. "We are also responsible for approving and disapproving and educating individuals with projects that have anything to do with security. Our section has a hand in almost every project on base due to the security of the base and the intent of the base commander," Sergeant Havenar said.