COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi observed the 2017 Police Week, May 14 – 20, 2017, to honor Security Forces, the Defenders, who work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rain or shine to keep the base safe and secure from all threats.
National Police Week is a time to honor the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to uphold justice and tranquility. The defenders put on many different events for the Team BLAZE community to show the many different things that they do to protect the base.
The first event was the 24 Hour Security Forces March at 7:00 a.m. May 15, at the Wing Headquarters Building. A minimum of two defenders at any given time marched around the base carrying the 14th Security Forces Squadron guidon. A few of them wore body armor and heavy backpacks to symbolize the weight that defenders carry on their shoulders.
“The march signifies that we, as Security Forces, are always on duty,” said Staff Sgt. Janessa Ebbert, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Integrated Defense.
On May 16, the defenders put on two displays for the community. The first display was the Military Working Dog demonstration. The demonstration consisted of different scenarios that a MWD and its handler will see in the field. The dogs are well trained and are capable of many tasks such as apprehending and guarding a suspect until their handler can detain them.
The second display was the Shoot, Move, Communicate drill. During the drill, four defenders work their way through an obstacle course designed to hone their weapons and tactical skills. Defenders do this drill to ensure that they are ready to protect the Air Force’s assets.
On May 18, there was a Fallen Defender/OSI Presentation honoring all of the men and women who gave their lifes to protect Airmen and their families. The presentation started at 9:00 a.m. at the Columbus Club.
On Friday, May 19, there will be a Retreat Ceremony at 5:00 p.m. in front of the Wing Headquarters. Team BLAZE members are encouraged to come and support the defenders.
The final event will be on May 20, at State and Magnolia Housing. The defenders will parade through housing, giving out candy and displaying some of their equipment. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. and parents with children are encouraged to attend.
Many people will only see Security Forces when they are in trouble or in a bad situation. Police Week has given the Defenders a chance to show Team BLAZE what they do in order to keep the Airmen, their families, and the base safe and secure.
“Some days you can get into the rut of ‘I’m just checking ID’s’ or ‘I’m just a glorified security guard,’” Ebbert said. “But this base couldn’t be here without us. Even though most the time people only see bad side of us, we are the first people they call when they need something and that’s what I focus on.”