New 325th SFS patrol boats christened in ceremony Published Aug. 23, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 325th Security Forces Squadron held a christening ceremony for their two new patrol boats at the marina, Aug. 19. The boats will be used to patrol Tyndall's 129 miles of coastline in protection of its resources and personnel. "All patrolmen will be certified through the National Association of State Boat Licensing Administrators," said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Spradley, noncommissioned officer in charge of community police. "If it wasn't for our aggressive patrolling and the visual deterrence we provide each day, Tyndall wouldn't be the hard target it is." The boats were named Gladius and Cetratus. "Gladius and Cetratus is translated from Latin as 'Sword' and 'Shield', said Major Michael Bernatt, 325th Security Forces Squadron Provost Marshal. "We are the 325th Security Forces and our calling is that of a Centurion." In the Roman Legions, the position of the Centurion represented the peak of leadership advancement. The Centurions were expected to engage in combat and lead from the front of their unit; they became expert warriors and leaders. "Gladius and Cetratus embody not only our Centurion warrior sprit but echo our Airman's Creed," added Bernatt. The Gladius is a 2010, 22-foot Tarpon Bay. It is equipped with a single 225 horsepower Yamaha outboard engine with a top speed of 46 mph. The Cetratus is a 2010, 24-foot Cape Horn Costal Patrol with twin 200 horsepower Yamaha outboard engines. The Cetratus can reach a top speed of 50 mph. The boats were christened with champagne by Alison Browne, 325th Fighter Wing commander's wife, and Teresa Grund, 325th Mission Support Group commander's wife. "The christening ceremony has been used by Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and more recently Americans, as a way to bless their ships and their sailors calling upon God to safeguard them at sea," Bernatt added.