Testing For Success

by SSgt Tyler J. Dalton

On the 25th and 27th of October the National Test Center at the Kirtland AFB Education Center opened its doors all day for the first-ever 377th Security Forces Group CLEP-A-THON. During this two day period a team of proctors from Lewis University, headed by Mr. John Harvey, administered 72 CLEP/DANTES tests to 38 Defenders.  The result was nothing short of impressive: 144 credit hours were earned throughout the two day period. That translates to $36,000 in Tuition Assistance funding saved.


SrA Patrick Murphy, 377 WSSS taking a CLEP test.

 

“This really is a great resource to have available,” Said SrA Cody Madama, 377th Weapons System Security Squadron, or 377 WSSS, who earned 12 credits towards his CCAF from 3 CLEP/DANTES exams. “It helps speed up your degree progression, saves TA funding, and fits into the irregular duty hours that most Security Forces work.”

 

For those who may be unfamiliar with CLEP/DANTES testing they are a series of exams covering a wide variety of topics which, if passed, grant the test taker college credit without ever having to set foot in a classroom. The intent is to give Airmen credit for knowledge gained outside the classroom and avoid unnecessary or redundant courses which could delay degree progression.

SF Airmen focused on their testing.

 

 

“It was nice to have the option to get credit in one day for subjects I had already studied instead of spending 8 weeks in a class,” Said SrA Brad Hall, 377 WSSS, who earned 6 credits in one day. “I definitely plan on coming back to test again.”

 

These tests are free for military members and range from 3 to 9 credits each and typically take just over an hour to complete. Additionally, these tests have no impact on an Airman’s $4,500 annual Tuition Assistance allotment. In total, the amount of money saved in this 12-hour event was equal to 8 years of TA funding. These tests are also available to Airmen who are not currently eligible for TA funding. The National Test Center is open to all personnel every Tuesday and Thursday for CLEP and DANTES testing. To schedule a test call 505-265-3947 or visit www.lewisu.edu.

 

319th SFS to Open Newly Renovated Firing Range

By Senior Airman Ryan Sparks, 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs / Published October 21, 2016

 

Members of the 319th Security Forces Squadron fire their weapons in the prone position Oct. 21, 2016, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. The combat arms instructor team used the experienced security forces members to test the functionality of their newly-renovated firing range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Sparks)

 

Staff Sgt. Frank Witmer, 319th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, charges an M-4 carbine rifle Oct. 21, 2016, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Witmer fired the test rounds for the safety inspection of the newly-renovated firing range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Sparks)

 

A few 5.56-millimeter NATO rounds lie on the ground of the firing range Oct. 21, 2016, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. The newly-renovated range has concrete floors that will allow all fired and live rounds to be properly disposed of better than when there were gravel floors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Sparks) 

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --

The 319th Security Forces Squadron here is scheduled to open their newly renovated firing range November 1.

Tech. Sgt. James Layton, 319th SFS NCO in charge of combat arms, said the year-long, $3.5 million refurbishment eliminates the need for Airmen to travel to other bases during the harsh winters that would close the range before the renovations were made.

According to Layton, the earth berm backstop was replaced with a rubber composite backstop, concrete replaced gravel flooring, more sound dampening material was added and a new heating and air system was installed.

Layton said this will be a “soft” opening to meet mission requirements and they plan on having a grand opening when the rest of the renovations are complete in the near future.

Maj. Laura Showman, 319th SFS commander, is excited about what this range can provide.

"The renovated range is beautiful. This is now the nicest range I've ever seen on an Air Force Base. It's exactly what we need for a range in this part of the world; it's enclosed so we can heat it and keep our students' fingers from freezing," said Showman. "This new range is definitely going to improve the quality of our Security Forces annual weapons qualification training and all the training we provide across the base."

569th USFPS, Local Police Receive International Award

By Senior Airman Jonathan Bass, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published November 01, 2016

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The 569th United States Forces Police Squadron joined local police in receiving an award for cooperation—the first time such an award had been given to an international partnership.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) –awarded their 2016 Civilian Law Enforcement – Military Cooperation Award to the 569th USFPS and the Polizeiprasidium Westpfalz in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Representatives from both units were on hand at the IACP conference in San Diego, California, Oct. 16, 2016.

“This award recognizes excellence in law enforcement cooperation between civilian and military law enforcement agencies in developing innovative joint efforts that lead to improvement in public safety for both military and civilian communities,” said Capt. John-Paul Adrian, 569th USFPS operations officer. “It is bestowed on two partner law enforcement organizations, one military; one civilian, each year by a subcommittee of the IACP. The goal of the committee is to foster a closer relationship between the civilian and military law enforcement disciplines so that each can take mutual advantage of the other's skills, knowledge, training, research and development, and equipment in the law enforcement field for the benefit of those being served.”

The relationship between local national police and Air Force security forces play a crucial part to keeping U.S. service members and civilians safe.

“This award comes from a prestigious association of international police leaders and means a great deal to the law enforcement officers of both the 569th USFPS and Polizeipräsidium Westpfalz,” said Adrian. “It recognizes the fantastic relationship between the Status of Forces Agreement and host nation populations in the Kaiserslautern Military Community and how we team up every day as part of our combined community. This is also the first time that this award has been bestowed upon an international partnership, so this makes both departments all the more proud to receive this accolade.”

At a press conference, Oct. 28, at Polizeiprasidium Westpfalz headquarters in Kaiserslautern, the two units presented the award to the public.

The 569th USFPS and Polizeipräsidum Westpfalz distinguished themselves through outstanding cooperation in support of law enforcement operations in the Kaiserslautern Military Community. During this time, the two agencies crossed the divide between military and civilian law enforcement agencies in order to provide a safer joint community, comprised of 335,000 German and American citizens, according to the citation accompanying the award.

“Both agencies have incredible police officers and professionals,” said Adrian. “Based on these relationships, we are able to better learn from one another, as well as operate a combined and truly cohesive team – especially while responding to help members in our community, alongside one another.”

The partnership between the two units ensures the safety and security of the KMC by patrolling the downtown bar district, canvasing neighborhoods during a spree of serial burglaries and engaging in emergency services during a manning shortfalls.

U.S. Air Force Capt. John-Paul Adrian, 569th United States Forces Police Squadron operations officer, and Polizeihauptkommissar Simon Mai, accepted the International Association of Chiefs of Police Civilian Law Enforcement– Military Cooperation award in San Diego, California, Oct. 16, 2016. The members of the 569th USFPS and Polizeipräsidum Westpfalz distinguished themselves through outstanding cooperation in support of law enforcement operations in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, Kreis Kaiserslautern, Federal Republic of Germany, from June 1, 2015 to June 1, 2016. During this time, the two agencies crossed the divide between military and civilian law enforcement agencies in order to provide a safer joint community comprised of 335 000 German and American citizens.

Chief White held his retirement ceremony the last weekend of October in his home state of Kentucky concluding a stellar 30 years of service to the Air Force and Security Forces. BGen (ret) Jamerson presided over the ceremony. Best wishes from all of AFSFA Chief … thanks for your leadership and friendship. Well done Defender!

 

Grissom Museum Opens New Air Force Police Exhibit
Former Grissom Officer Garners Donations From Retired Security Police

Kokomo Tribune, Carson Gerber, Oct 31, 2016


Retired MSgt Chris Armold, left, and Grissom Air Museum Director Jim Price stand near a new exhibit at the museum dedicated to the Air Force security police. Armold donated all the artifacts included in the exhibit. Submitted photo.

 

 

BUNKER HILL – One of the most extensive exhibits in the country dedicated to Air Force security police has opened inside the Grissom Air Museum thanks to donations from a former airman who served at the base.

 

Retired Master Sgt. Chris Armold recently donated the complete exhibit, which features the history, uniforms and weaponry of the airmen who protected the combat aircraft and personnel assigned to Bunker Hill and Grissom Air Force Base throughout the Cold War.

 

The Air Force first developed the concept of infantry-style units to defend air bases in the 1940s. They eventually developed into ground defense units protecting the military’s nuclear weapons systems.

 

Armold said he was assigned to the security police force at Grissom in 1983, and retired as an Air Force security policeman. He also served as the vice president of the Heritage Museum Foundation, the forerunner of the Grissom Air Museum.

 

He said he came up with the idea to create a museum exhibit dedicated to Air Force security police after attending a reunion this summer for veterans of Grissom’s 305th Security Police.

 

“For me, the opportunity to create an air police and security police exhibit for a museum I was a part of 30-plus years ago was just too good to be true,” Armold said in a release.

 

Over the next few months, he garnered a horde of artifacts and items donated by former Air Force security officers from across the country, such as uniforms, equipment, patches and documents. The exhibit also includes replicas of the weapons used by security officers.

 

Tom Kelley, a museum volunteer and former security officer at Grissom who helped organize the exhibit, said the new display is part of the museum’s mission to remember every airman who served at the base.

 

“That whole museum is there to celebrate the legacy of the people who served on the base, as well as their mission,” he said. “We want everybody to understand what the base was all about and celebrate its history, and the security police are a very important part of that whole operation.”

 

Kelley said the security police exhibit is one of the most extensive collections outside the Airman Heritage Museum in San Antonio, Texas, and offers unique insights into the history of the Air Force’s security forces that can’t be found anywhere else in the area.

 

“We’re really excited about having this,” he said.

 

For Armold, who is an historian and author who has written a new book about Air Force police, the exhibit is a way to commemorate and honor the airman who served as security officers, just like he did at Grissom.

 

“I hope people who visit this exceptional museum will enjoy the display,” he said. “I'm proud to have served at Grissom Air Force Base and always enjoy returning to the area. It still feels like home to me.”

 

The Grissom Air Museum is now operating in off-season hours and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Admission will be free to prior military personnel during the Veterans Day weekend.

 

 

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