“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.
After years of serving as the bill-payer for other Pentagon priorities, munitions stockpiles are poised to get a major boost from the $150 billion reconciliation package unveiled by lawmakers in Congress this week, along with the defense industrial base to...