“Normally we guard aircraft and airfields. Now, we’re staring at people who could be responsible for killing Americans.” So said TSgt. Jeff Tynan, of 587th Security Forces Squadron, deployed to Camp Bucca, Iraq. There, airmen make up most of the force protection element, filling a role traditionally handled by the Army. These days, USAF’s troops are providing perimeter defense, convoy and area security, and security for Bucca’s theater internment facility. The 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron has been working alongside soldiers in dangerous assignments, such as convoy escorts for election officials. The troops seem to be taking the job in stride.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
