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PACAF/SF coins Airmen during visit to Andersen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sonya Padilla
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Members of the 36th Security Forces Squadron received a visit from the Chief of the Pacific Air Forces Chief of Security Forces Division, recently, to discuss ongoing security forces matters and get a first hand look at the Commando Warrior training site.

Upon his arrival to Andersen, Col. John McBrien gave a mission brief to security forces personnel. Airmen received an opportunity to ask questions about deployment issues and enlistment bonuses.

"He was very interested in what the Airmen had to say," said Capt. Charity Winters, 36th SFS Logistics and Mobility.

Colonel McBrien establishes policy and provides guidance on physical security, air base defense, weapons systems security, information security, law enforcement and antiterrorism/force protection program for readiness of Air Force assets assigned throughout the Pacific area of responsibility.

He is responsible for MAJCOM programs affecting more than 2,500 security forces personnel to include training, equipping, manning and programming for command needs.

"Colonel McBrien received an aerial and ground base tour of every place we have to secure," said Captain Winters. "He had to see the whole thing to believe it."

Among the topics of interest was the Commando Warrior training site, a PACAF Regional Training Center for security forces personnel ranking from airman to colonel. Courses will consist of 18 consecutive days in ground combat, advanced tactics and land navigation.

Construction of the facility began at Northwest Field August 2007. It has an estimated size of 7,000 sq ft. The first class is scheduled for early March with occupancy of no more than 150 students.

Although the training site was a big hit for Colonel McBrien, attention was turned to the apprehension of two individuals in the Andersen South Housing area by 36th SFS patrolmen, Airman 1st Class Vanessa Batten and Senior Airman Zachary Evanson.

Airmen Batten said during a routine fence check of the perimeter, they noticed a bolt cut and heard glass being shattered in the abandoned housing units. K-9 units and other patrolmen were immediately dispatched to the scene where the two suspects were taken in for questioning and turned over to the Guam Police Department.

The two patrolmen were coined by Colonel McBrien for a job well done.

"Being coined was a privilege," said Airman Batten. "I felt it was really good that he showed interest in what we do."

Tech. Sgt. Ernie Surber, NCOIC of Installation Security, was one of Colonel McBrien's escorts during the tour.

"It was good to show off the talents of our young Airmen," he said. "The overall visit went very well."