Civilian defenders help keep Columbus AFB safe, secure

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Defensor Fortis: the defender's of the force. We're all familiar with the "blue suits," the Airmen whose job it is to protect the Air Force, its assets and people, but not everyone is familiar with the growing force helping to supplement and train Airmen.

These men and women are Department of Defense civilians, and whether they're manning the front gate, issuing weapons/gear or handling numerous administrative tasks, they're helping bring experience, continuity and manpower to Air Force Security Forces. DoD civilians took over positions previously manned by civilian contractors at Columbus fall 2008.

"Whether it's an Airman checking your I.D. or a civilian, they're reading from the same sheet of music," said Lt. Col. Kiley Stinson, 14th Security Forces Squadron commander.

DoD civilians are present throughout the 14th SFS, comprising over 30 percent of the squadron's manning, the colonel said. This includes 23 personnel assigned as gate guards and, in the future, police officers; and an additional seven performing administrative tasks.

Chief Master Sgt. Burt Francois, 14th SFS manager, said the greatest benefit civilians bring to the squadron is continuity.

He said with Airmen currently deploying continually for 6 months to a year, having trained civilian personnel in-place is "a huge help."

Additional civilian staffed positions, such as unit deployment manager and others, helps free-up active duty personnel for other tasks, Colonel Stinson said.

These civilians also bring years of previous law enforcement experience and training to the squadron that the Air Force may not have otherwise, added Charles Skelton, supervisor and lead civilian police officer. Mr. Skelton is a prime example, having served 20 years as a military policeman with the Navy before returning to his hometown of Columbus, Miss.

The experience the various civilians bring gives them knowledge most military policeman may not have, Colonel Stinson said.

"You don't see the same things on-base as you do off-base," the colonel said. "You can't replace years of civilian law enforcement experience, it helps bring new ideas to the table."

Chief Francois said whichever uniform the BLAZE Team defenders wear, their job is the same.

"The uniform is really the only difference between the two," he said. "They both abide by and uphold the same laws and regulations."