Security Forces member helps keep base safe

Photo By Staff Sgt. Tabitha Kuykendall | Airman 1st Class Cody Pittman, 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron heavy weapon member, prepares to mount a Humvee after attending guard mount Jan. 23. This is Pittman's first deployment, and his job is to man the turret and be the eyes and ears for the other members of his patrol team. He is deployed from the 940th SFS, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.  

KIRKUK

01.29.2010

Story by Senior Airman Mindy Bloem 

506th Air Expeditionary Group

Like many young boys, he dreamed of being a cop and carrying a weapon. When he was 17, he learned he could carry a weapon and be a cop earlier than his original plan of joining the police academy at 21. He graduated school early and enlisted in the Air Force as a security forces member.

Now 19, Airman 1st Class Cody Pittman, 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron member, deployed from the 940th SFS, Beale AFB, Calif., has just arrived for his first deployment in Kirkuk (an assignment he volunteered for) to defend and secure the base — a responsibility he takes very seriously.

"The fact that everyone on base can sleep well at night because I make sure no one gets on base who is not supposed to gives me satisfaction," he said.

Pittman is the heavy weapon member for his patrol. His job is to man the turret and be the eyes and ears for the other members of his patrol team.

One of Pittman's fellow patrol team members, Senior Airman Aaron Wray, who is also his roommate, said it's important to have someone you can count on when you're out doing patrols.

"He is new here, but he's learning very quickly," Wray said. "He understands what he's supposed to be doing as far as his job in Iraq. He gives me an extra set of eyes, which is good, because if I can't see something, he can. I know I can rely on him."

Before each 12 hour shift, Pittman attends a guard mount briefing. At guard mount, he's given the latest intelligence reports, is told what to look out for during his patrol and what's happened on the last shift. Once mounted in his humvee, his job is to monitor his sector, make sure there are no cuts or breaks in the fence and respond to any base emergencies.

Pittman is hoping all of this experience will help prepare him for his dream career as a California highway patrol officer.

• Date Taken: 01.29.2010
• Date Posted: 01.29.2010 01:20
• Story ID: 44586
• Location: KIRKUK