Ravens provide security for Afghan presidential support mission

Photo By Capt. Teresa Sullivan | Staff Sgt. Mike Kincaid, Security Forces Raven number 652, secures an airstrip for a C-17 and its crew. He is just one many service members who comprise the Desert Eagle Team and are ready at a moment's notice to aid a fellow service member.  

AFGHANISTAN

07.13.2007

Story by Capt. Teresa Sullivan 

379th Air Expeditionary Wing

By Capt. Teresa Sullivan
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan -- A Phoenix Raven security team with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing provided security for a C-17 Globemaster III and its crew Wednesday during an Afghan presidential support mission at a remote airstrip in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Mike Kincaid, 62nd Security Forces Squadron, Phoenix Raven team leader, from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and Airman 1st Class Joseph Celata, also with the 305th Security Forces Squadron, Phoenix Raven, from McGuire AFB, N.J., comprised a team responsible for providing security for aircraft and crew in areas with high terrorist and criminal threats. They began their day at 4 a.m. getting ready for a flight that would take them from the 379th AEW to Kabul, to pick up the Afghanistan presidential entourage, then on to Tarin Kowt, where they would stand watch as the passengers were unloaded. To prepare, they organized their protective equipment, conducted a quick inspection, then sat in on a pre-flight intelligence briefing – mentally preparing for what was in store.

"I always go in knowing that anything can happen – security of the aircraft is our number one priority," said Celata, a 21-year-old from Boston, Mass. "I'm always just a little nervous before missions because you never know if today's going to be the day something happens in the combat zone. I always think about things that could happen, so if it does, I have a plan."

Ravens travel in teams of two on aircraft to provide security when there isn't adequate security available. When deployed they fly five to seven times per week. In this case, they stood watch at an isolated dirt strip in the Oruzgan province in southern Afghanistan.

Ravens are trained on multiple weapons, aircraft security, cultural awareness, defense fighting tactics and "verbal judo" to get their job done.

"We try to use verbal judo, or words, to alleviate tense or awkward situations," said Kincaid of the diplomatic method Ravens use if approached while guarding aircraft. "We always want to listen, empathize, ask and paraphrase when talking with people, especially from foreign countries."

They strive to listen and understand during tense situations, but are trained to use force if necessary. Each Raven flies with their weapon of choice, but carry other weapons for use as necessary.

"I think our best technique for deterrence is our presence," said Sergeant Kincaid, a 31-year-old, Spokane, Wash., native and 10-time deployer. "One of the main reasons we're on this mission is to provide a show-of-force. The enemy will have second thoughts when they see two or four Ravens outside an aircraft providing security."

Upon landing at the airstrip, the team of two exited the aircraft first, weapons in hand, ready to maintain security while the presidential support team safely departed the area. One kept watch over the front of the aircraft and one to the back – keeping an eye out in the distance for anything suspicious.

"That shack out in the distance is an Afghan army station. There are a few guys in that building and I also see a few people over there," said Sergeant Kincaid as he scanned the horizon, focused at all times and fully aware of his surroundings.

Meanwhile, as load masters, aircrew, and maintainers hustled to finish getting the aircraft ready for departure, the Ravens made one last scan of the area and boarded the plane last – meeting their objective without incident or delay. As the C-17 departed the dirt strip of land they felt good knowing they met their goal. However, for these Ravens, the 13-hour mission didn't stop at security - they pitched in to assist aircrew.

"These guys may be Ravens, but they are also dragging bags and helping the load masters configure the cargo area," said Capt. Jeremy Farlaino, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-17 aircraft commander.

"They're force multipliers for us. At the end of the day these guys work extremely hard and we know we're safe with Ravens on board."

• Date Taken: 07.13.2007
• Date Posted: 07.13.2007 11:42
• Story ID: 11265
• Location: AF