Ellsworth's SFS augmentees provide extra help in times of need

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anania Tekurio
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Each month, Airmen from every squadron at Ellsworth take on the challenge of becoming 28th Security Forces Squadron augmentees.

Security forces augmentee training is designed to take Airmen from other career fields and provide them with the skills required to perform basic security functions in order to assist security forces members during times of need.

"The SFS augmentee program is so vital to maintaining security and force protection measures here on base," said Dion Harris, 28th SFS instructor. "If a major incident was to occur where we would need most of our defenders then that's when our augmentees would be able to step in and maintain our security duties and tasks, helping to keep the base and personnel secure."

The five-day training program consists of basic security forces concepts, weapons qualification, use of force, team tactics, and searches.

"The use of force is one of the most important parts of the training," said Senior Airman Robert Porrini, 28th SFS defender. "Knowing how to properly execute the use of force can save you."

Harris explained that Ellsworth is required to have 40 base personnel trained as SFS augmentees. However, with the possibility of those trained and certified being either deployed, on temporary duty or heading to a new duty station, 28 SFS trains 80 base personnel each year to ensure manning needs are met.

Many of the trainees are first-term Airmen who are new to the program.

"It's a bit of a thrill to be able to get this type of training and know that I could be called on in a time of need to help protect our Airmen and the base," said Senior Airman Joseph McMorris, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron engineering assistant. "I've learned a lot."

Overall, security forces augmentee training is a valuable program that provides a deeper appreciation for our defenders and what they do day in and day out.

"I would have never thought coming in as a engineering assistant that I would have the opportunity to be a part of the security forces squadron," said McMorris. "Getting to see what they do and go through is very eye-opening, their [work] is both physically and mentally challenging and I [now] have a deeper appreciation for their job."