ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. –
Members of the 316th Security Forces Squadron continually work to keep Joint Base Andrews safe, securing not only the National Capital Region, but the nation through their regular service to the president and U.S. government officials.
A section of the 316 SFS team provides presidential-level support through securing the flight line and all necessary areas during a distinguished visitor's arrival and departure from Joint Base Andrews. This team is called "protective services."
"The overall mission of protective services is to deliver flawless and superior security for the president of the United States, vice president, presidential cabinet secretaries, foreign heads of state and other military and civilian distinguished visitors, both foreign and domestic," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Frank, 316 SFS protective services team NCO in charge. "We afford national and international policy-makers a secure arrival and departure location in the National Capital Region. This gives these senior leaders the ability to focus on their respective agendas as opposed to their welfare."
It may seem an impossible task to keep up with securing every distinguished visitor's arrival and departure from the installation, but through training and superior leadership, the protective services team continues to do so with excellence.
"The team has instituted a flexibility-based schedule that allows for the rapid expansion of manpower, thus increase our operational ability," said Sergeant Frank. "Furthermore, we're all equally trained and certified to be interchangeable to meet the security needs of our guests."
Though it may be difficult for Joint Base Andrews members, the safe travel of distinguished visitors is just a part of the high-profile service that the installation provides its members and guests.
"Sometimes it may inconvenience members on base when they are driving on the installation," said Staff Sgt. Ronnie Joseph, 316 SFS protective services team member. "For instance, when we have the president flying out of Joint Base Andrews, it is part of protocol for us to stop traffic. When you have Air Force One flying over your head - you might understand the reasoning for it. It's just a part of what makes up our presidential-level support."