88th Security Forces defenders — the quiet professionals

  • Published
  • By Maj. David L. Celeste
  • 88th Security Forces Squadron commander
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio. --  Every day, quiet professionals patrol our installation and stand guard to protect us from threats -- both known and unknown. These men and woman belong to an elite group whose duty includes running toward danger and the sound of gunfire.

These "Defenders of the Force" are charged with an array of security and law enforcement responsibilities that include the enforcement of state and federal traffic codes, Department of Defense, Air Force and installation regulations, and also with detecting and defeating level II threats. At any given moment, they are ready to give their life in defense of the United States.

They do this and more with no expectancy of recognition. They are the highly effective and quiet professionals of the "world famous" 88th Security Forces Squadron.

It is a hard thing to prove empirically that what defenders do is effective. Regarding security measures, it is easy to quantify the loss of time due to a security measure, but it is difficult to quantify the gain in safety and security because of it. How do you quantify how many terrorists have turned around at the gate or have been discouraged from attacking since 9/11 because they saw armed defenders conducting a 100 percent ID check? How many unauthorized personnel stayed out of the restricted areas of the flight line because of a red line painted on the ground, a patrol present in the area and the requirement for a restricted area badge?

I think you understand that it is a difficult task to quantify data in such a way. Understandably, it is human nature to debate and make most decisions based on empirical evidence. When security advocates find themselves in this no-win argument, we often remind ourselves of the aphorism, "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." Meaning, just because the effectiveness of a security measure cannot be easily quantified does not mean it is not working. In the absence of direct evidence, we must rely on the careful analysis of capability, intent and ask   the question: can we afford to get it wrong?

As the commander of the 88 SFS, I want you to know that installation security is hard work and often thankless, but you can be assured that 88 SFS defenders are motivated and professionally safeguarding mission and people. You will not hear defenders complain that their eight-hour shifts are really 10-hours long, resulting in 50-plus hour workweeks because of the necessity to arm up, receive pass-on information and be transported to their post to relieve the previously assigned defender   .

You certainly will not hear defenders complain about the weather -- it is a certainty that they will perform their duty 24/7, 365, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Your defenders are out there, not to inconvenience or harass, but rather to protect, defend and secure you, this installation and its mission.

It is because of their belief in something bigger than themselves that you can always count on honest, competent and professional 88 SFS defenders to protect and serve Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.