New Book About USAF Air Police and Security Police In The Works

Sky-Cops and Peacekeepers: Uniforms and Equipment of the USAF Air Police and Security Police.”

I'm Chris Armold, a retired USAF Security Police, Law Enforcement MSgt and I'm seeking the help and support of my fellow Security Police and Air Police vets. Today I'm an author and photographer and I'm pleased to report that my newest project is an ambitious, highly-illustrated book with the working title of “Sky-cops and Peacekeepers: Uniforms and Equipment of the USAF Air Police and Security Police.“

As a former USAF Security Policeman, a curious military historian and an enthusiastic preservationist and collector, “Sky-cops and Peacekeepers” will be my third book about U.S. Military equipment and the fourth book I'll have penned. My first two books, “Steel Pots” &“Painted Steel” are highly-respected histories explaining the development and evolution of the U.S. Combat helmets of the 20th century. Collectors and military museums around the world rely on these books as primary reference works because they are well researched, credible, highly-visual and methodically organized.

I plan to tell the AP/SP story as never before by showcasing the uniforms and equipment we relied on to get the job done. To do this, I'm creating representations of different Air Police and Security Police uniform configurations and gear worn by AF cops around the world during the period 1947 through 1996.

To give you a feel for what I'm doing, here's a small sample of the uniform representations I plan to present:

-1947 US Army, USAAF MP Uniform
-1951 Air Policeman, 421st Air Police Squadron, Tachikawa Airbase Japan
-1958 SAC Elite Guard, Offutt AFB Nebraska
-1964 SAC Gate Guard, 379th Air Police Squadron, Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan 
-1969 821st Combat Security Police Squadron, Phan Rang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam
-1972 401st Security Police Gate Guard, Torrejon Air Base, Spain
-1976 91st Missile Security Group, Minot AFB, North Dakota
-1986 48th Security Policeman MOP Gear, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom

Just how many uniform representations will be in the book? Who knows. It could be fifty+. I have the luxury of being able to make the book as long as I require. In fact, if it requires multiple volumes, I'm okay with that too.

To make the book to appeal to anyone who served as a USAF Cop. To do that I want your experiences, adventures, and stories to inject life and reality into the uniforms and gear featured. It's great to showcase “things” but it's the people wearing the uniforms and using the equipment that make things happen. I want you to share your experiences, your stories, your best assignment and your worst. I want people to know what it was like to be a Air force cop in your shoes back in your day. Consequently, I'd like to interview you!

Do you have a uniform or some of your old gear hanging in the back of your closet? Dig those items out. I'd much rather feature “named” uniforms that have “been there and done that” then a representation uniform. Perhaps you've got some interesting items that deserve to be featured? Maybe you've got a photo album or snapshots from your tours of duty? Your period photos are important historical documents and I'd love to consider including some of them. Original photos are important to me. Take a peek and see what you have. ] For my past books, vets loaned me incredible items that really added value to the work. In addition, let's face it. Your kids and grandkids will love seeing a photo, your uniform and your name in a book about your career field. Trust me. This is worth your time.

To summarize, I'd like to get as much information first-hand as I possibly can. I'm excited to hear from and speak with Air Policeman and Security Policemen who served in any period. I'm especially interested in speaking with people who served in the Air Police during the 1950s, SAC Elite Guard Members, SAFESIDE/CSPS troops and Air Force One support cops. I'm also interested in hearing from folks who served in “specialty AP/SP units like cadres, Stinger Missile crews and horseback and motorcycle cops etc. Bottom line is no matter where you served or what your rank was if you were an AP/SP I'd like to hear from you.

If you'd like more information on my project or would like to help, my contact information follows. Thanks to all of you for your service to our country.

Chris Armold, MSgt, USAF (Ret)
Phone: (937) 572-5581
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/apspbook

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