USAF Security Forces deployed to Southwest Asia find themselves going beyond the typical Air Force blue SF work of protecting an air base. They are taking over some area security missions normally performed by US Army soldiers. At Camp Bucca, Iraq, for instance, USAF security forces are going outside the base to search for insurgents and to clear deadly improvised explosive devices. And, they are taking on traditional Army civil affairs tasks, such as meeting with Iraqi police forces and citizens.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…