Kodiak native defends Bagram Air Field

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Tyler Placie | Tech. Sgt. Ben Green is currently deployed to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan and is a member of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. While deployed to Bagram, Green serves as the NCO in charge of the base’s tactical automated security system. TASS plays a critical role in keeping Bagram’s perimeter secure by being one of the early warning systems. It detects anyone trying to gain access to the base. Back in the states, he is stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and is a member of the 92nd Security Forces Squadron. He is a native of Kodiak, Alaska.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

12.09.2011

Story by Senior Airman Patrick McKenna 

United States Air Forces Central           

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Tech. Sgt. Ben Green is currently deployed to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, and is a member of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

Back in the states, he is stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and is a member of the 92nd Security Forces Squadron. He is a native of Kodiak, Alaska.

While deployed to Bagram, Green serves as the non-commissioned officer in charge of the base’s tactical automated security system. TASS plays a critical role in keeping Bagram’s perimeter secure by being one of the early warrning systems. It detects anyone trying to gain access to the base.

“With a base our size, even a large squadron like ours can’t have constant eyes on every part of base,” said Green. “TASS helps us monitor the fence line 24/7 and serves as an early warning system that notifies us of a possible perimeter breach and notifies the nearest patrols, ensuring a quick response. This allows us to have extremely rapid response times even in hours of darkness and in poor visibility.”

Every deployment requires some sacrifice on a service member’s part.

In October, while on this deployment, Green’s wife, Sarah, gave birth to their daughter, Lydia. Although he says it was hard not to be there for that, he said he was able to watch via the Internet - something that he’s grateful for.

“It was difficult having to miss the birth of my daughter, but we’ve come a long way since my earlier deployments,” Green said. “Ten years ago we got one phone call a week for 10 minutes. This time, with the help of my squadron, I was able to watch it on Skype and be in constant communication in the days after.”

What Green misses most about home are his wife and two children back in Spokane, Wash., and walking on level ground instead of all the gravel Bagram is known for.

He’s looking forward to getting home and catching up on camping and hiking, two of his favorite pastimes in Spokane.

The 455 ESFS is responsible for the security on Bagram Air Field and the more than 30,000 service members and civilians that are assigned here. They stand watch in dozens of guard towers, check the credentials of thousands of local civilians gaining access each day, and protect one of the busiest flightlines in the world. These Airmen work with civilians, service members from other branches of the military, as well as international partners like South Korean military police to defend Bagram Air Field 24 hours a day.

• Date Taken: 12.09.2011
• Date Posted: 12.13.2011 06:57
• Story ID: 81272
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF