Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Airman, Miami native, supports security forces efforts in Southwest Asia

Airman 1st Class Shawntavia Gilot, a security forces journeyman with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, watches over a checkpoint during operations near the flightline for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia on Feb. 23, 2010. Airman Gilot is deployed from the 87th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and her hometown is Miami, Fla. The 380th ESFS, as part of the 380th AEW, supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Airman, Miami native, supports security forces efforts in Southwest Asia

Joint Base Airman supports security efforts in Southwest Asia

Published March 18, 2010
By Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airman 1st Class Shawntavia Gilot is a security forces journeyman deployed to the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron whose deployed job supports security and force protection of thousands of people and billions of dollars worth of equipment and aircraft at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia.

Security forces Airmen like Gilot receive a host of specialized training to complete their deployed mission. According to his Air Force job description, Gilot 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. She'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 response team members like Gilot are capable of operating in various field environments and can perform individual and team patrol movements. Those movements include both 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.

Airman Gilot is deployed from the 87th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

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.