Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst NCO, Jacksonville native, manages police services for Southwest Asia wing

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Staff Sgt. James Dees has his M-4 rifle inspected and ready for loading by Tech. Sgt. Andre Scott, both are with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, while both wear their protective armor during a security forces training exercise, Feb. 20, at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. Dees is deployed from the 87th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Scott is deployed from the 436th SFS at Dover AFB, Del. The 380th ESFS, as part of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

03.31.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- When a security forces investigation takes place at a non-disclosed base here, Staff Sgt. James Dees is probably in the middle of it. As the noncommissioned officer in charge of police services for the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, his job requires that he takes the lead in a myriad security forces documentation.

"My job requires that I review and correct the security forces blotter daily and forward it to our wing leadership," said Dees, who is deployed from the 87th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. "I also reviews and make any corrections to reports prepared by security forces patrolmen and conducts follow-up interviews for incidents requiring further information."

As a security forces Airman, Dees also supports all security and force protection efforts for a deployed wing of more than 1,900 people and for billions of dollars worth of Air Force equipment and assets. With running the police services portion of that mission, he said he knows he has to do his best.

"I make sure our reports are delivered to respective agencies with timeliness and accuracy," said Dees, whose hometown is Jacksonville, Fla. "I also serve as liaison between security forces and our staff judge advocate office. What the police services section does every day has an impact on the overall mission."

Security forces Airmen like Dees, who's also a security forces craftsman, receive a host of specialized training to complete their deployed mission. According to his Air Force job description, Dees is required to be able to lead, manage, supervise and perform force protection duties to include the use of deadly force to protect personnel and resources. He's also required to perform air base defense functions contributing to the force protection mission which includes controlling and securing terrain inside and outside military installations.

In addition to doing his job of defending personnel, equipment and resources from hostile forces, security forces members like Dees are capable of operating in various field environments and can perform individual and team patrol movements. Those movements include mounted and dismounted patrols, tactical drills, battle procedures, convoys, military operations other than war, antiterrorism duties and other special duties, according to the official job description.

Furthermore, security forces are able to operate communications equipment, vehicles, intrusion detection equipment, crew-served weapons and other special purpose equipment. As first responders, they can also apply self-aid buddy care and other life-saving procedures at accident and disaster scenes. With law enforcement, security forces are capable to apprehend and detain suspects, search persons and property, secures crime and incident scenes, and collect, seize and preserve evidence.

The 380th ESFS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

• Date Taken: 03.31.2010
• Date Posted: 03.31.2010 04:10
• Story ID: 47469
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)