SPACE OBSERVER 21ST SECURITY FORCES SQ
EDITION
VOL. 63 NO. 38
T H U R S DAY, S E P T. 19, 2019
P E T E R S O N
A I R
F O R C E
B A S E
Col. Falzarano’s ‘TDY for a day’: SFS Edition By Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow 21ST SPACE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)
Col. Thomas Falzarano, 21st Space Wing commander, drives an all-terrain vehicle on the perimeter of the base to understand installation jurisdiction, base boundaries, securities, demarcation lines, access control points, sentry duties and installation defense Aug. 16, 2019 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. ATVs are the easiest way for security forces to navigate along the perimeters of Peterson AFB and Cheyenne Mountains AFS, as well as other areas where terrain is rougher than normal.
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Col. Thomas Falzarano, 21st Space Wing commander, took a day to tour the Security Forces Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado Aug. 16, 2019. During his visit, Falzarano met with defenders throughout various work centers. He learned how they are responsible for safeguarding the lives of the men, women and military property on base around the clock. The 21st Security Forces Squadron consists of five sections, including two lateral sections — military working dog and combat arms. Defenders are responsible for keeping people, aircraft, the base, weapons and the surrounding area safe from any threat. While with the defenders, Falzarano received briefings about each of the squadron’s sections, met with the Airmen and asked for their thoughts on improving the stigma asso-
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THE FOUR PAWS OF RESILIENCE PAGE 2
ciated with security forces. “Security forces members are Peterson’s first line of defense,” Falzarano said. “Their job isn’t an easy one. They are out there for 12-to 14-hour shifts, and the job is physically and mentally demanding.” When visiting the defenders, Falzarano drove all-terrain vehicles on the perimeter of the base to assist in his understanding of installation jurisdiction, base boundaries, security, demarcation lines, access control points, sentry duties and installation defense. ATVs are the easiest way for security forces to navigate along the perimeters of Peterson AFB and Cheyenne Mountains AFS as well as other areas where terrain is rougher than normal. Falzarano took time throughout the tour to see all the defenders posted at the gates of both Peterson AFB and Cheyenne Mountain AFS. “Listening to everyone’s stories is always a highlight,”
Falzarano said. “You don’t know people until you really get to talk to them.” A team of four Airmen demonstrated closing in on and reacting to contact with the enemy through basic fundamentals of fire teams called shoot, move and communicate. The objective is to conduct individual movement techniques together as a team. Falzarano was able to partake in stun gun training after a three-minute warm-up. Security forces use stun guns to provide themselves and others with a means of self-defense that can mitigate or eliminate the chances of serious injury or death, both to themselves and their assailants. “This was by far my favorite part of the day,” Falzarano said. “The idea of being shocked was a bit nerve-wracking, but after feeling the shock it made me realize how much our See TDY for a day page 9
NEWS 1-10 | BRIEFS 4 | CLASSIFIED 13 | CROSSWORD 15
NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW THAT YOU CARE PAGE 5
CONTINUED FAMILY LEGACY, SEEKS TO PAY IT FORWARD PAGE 7
AF WEEK IN PHOTOS PAGE 8