ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The Vietnam Security Police Association visited Andrews' Security Forces Squadron on November 9, as part of their annual meeting in Washington D.C. The 316th Security Forces Squadron put on quite a show with demonstrations from the Phoenix Ravens, the expert canine handlers, and the Emergency Service Team. Approximately 350 members, both retirees and veterans, arrived in buses ready to see a good show. With 50 members of the security forces ready and waiting, the event went off without a hitch.
The visit started with the 316th Security Forces Emergency Response team demonstrating a vehicle assault and officer recovery scenario. Lead by Staff Sgt. David N. Wood, the team successfully showed how to effectively neutralize enemy forces and recover.
After that, the veterans were ready to eat, with a bar-b-que buffet set up to their liking. Members were free to walk around and see the static displays, which included weapons, aircraft and training tools used in the force today.
Following lunch, the Ravens demonstrated pressure point techniques as well as the asp's (the baton) capabilities. Next, the canine handlers went to action, by demonstrating not only explosive detection capabilities, but also how well the dogs are behaved and are trained to attack.
The last event of the day was the Vice Presidential Aircraft Security team showing their skills with a scenario that included a hostile trying to obtain control of a secured aircraft.
When asked about some of the differences between what went on in today's demonstrations and what they had while in Vietnam, the answers were the same across the board. Steve Gattis, who served from February 1968 to February 1969 in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, said, "The security forces of today go through an intense level of training compared to what we had then ... our training and equipment were way behind what we needed for our experiences ..." He continued his story of his tour in Vietnam, adding "We would go out on post and we wouldn't be issued enough equipment, some of us wouldn't even have a weapon and would have to defend our perimeters...just like today, our men needed an intense need to feel hope when they go out there, and they just didn't." He was so overwhelmed with pride, to see where the security forces has come today.
Col. Jeffrey Bateman, 316th Security Forces Squadron commander, commented on the significance this event had for his Airmen. "The event is significant because they can really tie their heritage in a very visual way ... what they did then, how they were trained, what some of their war stories were. We are able to bring home the Air Force heritage in our own special way." He agreed to host this event for the association so they can have a look at what we do today, how we are trained and how our Airmen interact and perform their duties on a day to day basis. "It's an honor for us to have this opportunity," said Colonel Bateman.