Squadron of the Week: 325th SFS S-5

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

When people think of security forces, their mind might go straight to the men and women in uniform with an M-9 Beretta strapped to their leg, patrol cars roaming the streets, or even military working dogs walking along with their handlers.

 

The S-5 section works behind the scenes to make the visible law enforcement presence possible in the 325th Security Forces Squadron. Consisting of seven different sections, the main mission of this small shop of approximately 25 members is to work closely with base leadership to ensure base personnel and assets are secure.

 

“We work closely with the wing,” said James Hazzard, 325th SFS chief of plans and programs. “We make sure security is taken care of, alarms are monitored, restricted and controlled areas are protected and guarded, oversee security for the flightline and provide information to all security areas in order to keep a safe environment.”

 

Those sections are: anti-terrorism, electronic security systems, pass and ID, plans and programs, reports and analysis, resource protection and physical security.

 

“We don’t have the most daring jobs, but S-5 is just as important as any other security forces section,” said Senior Master Sgt. Brian J. Viceroy, 325th SFS plans and program superintendent. “There is no way security forces can sustain its missions if we don’t go through new mission sets and see if they are sustainable or not.”

 

The anti-terrorism section creates, tracks, and develops mitigation Ground Tasking Orders (GTO) and antiterrorism measures for force protection and crime prevention

 

The electronic security systems section manages the Integrated Base Defense Security System (IBDSS) for restricted areas and controlled areas and oversees new security system project installation equipment upgrades.

 

“When it comes to my section, we allow people to secure their areas and make them aware they have an extra set of security on top of our patrols,” said Senior Airman Baso Harper, 325th SFS electronic security systems NCOIC.

 

Pass and ID is the most visible of the sections. It oversees vetting of visitors to Tyndall, issues and maintains accountable restricted area badges, maintains criminal and security information systems and ensures registry of personally owned firearms  stored on Tyndall.

 

The plans and programs section is crucial to future operations and develops plans, policies, procedures, and detailed instructions to implement security forces programs.

 

“Before implementing a plan we codify what the execution is going to be,” Viceroy said. “A good way to look at us is as the ‘judicial branch.’ We sit and look at all the regulations that govern new mission sets that come down. We then ask, ‘can it happen?’ and if it can, how do we make it happen. Then we incorporate it into current operations and synergize it together. This section holds an integral part in the 325th SFS system.”

 

The reports and analysis section is the focal point for incidents and accident traffic reports. It provides administrative support for 325th Fighter Wing and associate units. They also prepare and issues base suspension and privileges revocation packages.

 

The resource protection section governs all protection level areas and provides security guidance to approximately 250 personnel protecting restricted areas, controlled areas and F-22 aircraft.

 

“We ensure that all the protection-level assets for the Unites States are maintained and that there is proper protection for them,” said Staff Sgt. George Holland, 325th SFS resource protection NCOIC.

 

The physical security section ensures base compliance with Department of Defense, Air Force and Major Command directives on all matters pertaining to physical security. They also provide guidance to assigned and tenant organizations on flightline security standards for protection-level aircraft assets.

All these sections have to work closely together to get their missions accomplished and make sure things run smoothly.

 

“This [S-5] is one of the better sections I’ve worked with so far. We all know eachother’s jobs and how to work well together. If I need help on anything I know I can count on anyone to point me in the right direction,” Holland said.