380th Air Expeditionary Wing

Story by Senior Airman Stephen Linch

Inculta Patronus (in-cul-ta pa-tron-us) n: Desert Defender

The 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Airmen hold true to their Latin motto and identity as desert defenders.

They are ever present, armed to the teeth and always ready to defend the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's mission enablers: Airmen and assets that provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and aerial refueling in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Operations Iraqi Freedom, and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

"[The mission of the 380th ESFS is to] detect, deter and defeat threats in order to ensure the continued prosecution of the air mission," said Maj. Aaron Guill, 380th ESFS commander.

Security forces has been doing this mission for more than six decades. They trace their lineage back to January 1948 when the Air Force became a separate entity, and former military police became air police. In 1967, they would become known as security police, a name they would hold onto until 1997 when the career field received its current name of security forces.

Speaking of the constant vigilance of 380th ESFS Airmen, the Pleasant Hope, Mo., native said, "They are everywhere here - 24/7, 365 [days a year]."

"You never know when the enemy may attack," he added, noting the importance of always being ready.

With coalition forces relying on the 380th AEW's KC-10s, U-2s, Global Hawks and E-3 Sentrys to be in the air, desert defenders are making sure the enemy does not interfere with the mission.

"It is clear to us that what we do has a positive impact," Maj. Guill said. "There is a sense of accomplishment for being such a critical element in Operations Enduring Freedom, Operations Iraqi Freedom, and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa."

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