McConnell NCO supports security forces ops at Iraq base as MWD handler

Published May 23, 2011
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- At Joint Base Balad, Iraq, security forces Airmen like Staff Sgt. Travis Dulworth or part of the team guarding the base and protecting personnel and billions of dollars of deployed military assets. It shows they are doing exactly what they were trained to do.

Sergeant Dulworth is a security forces military working dog handler deployed with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, at Joint Base Balad. He is deployed from the 22nd Security Forces Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and his hometown is Frederick, Md.

Security forces Airmen like Sergeant Dulworth receive a host of specialized training to complete their deployed mission. In doing his deployed job, Sergeant Dulworth's job may include working flightline security, entry controlling to U.S.-controlled areas and base-wide patrols.

According to the official Air Force job description for the security forces career field, Sergeant Dulworth 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 Sergeant Dulworth 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.

A typical day at work for Sergeant Dulworth might include wearing the latest in "battle rattle." This can include the latest in protective armor and combat-ready gear. Additionally, he might carry a loaded M-4 rifle, and possibly an M-9 pistol, in carrying out his deployed duties.

Additionally, as a military working dog handler, Sergeant Valdez is qualified and experienced in specialized functions for security forces weaponry, maintaining dog handling equipment, caring for and training military working dogs, and reacting to dog alerts.

His Air Force job description also shows 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.

At his home station, the 22nd SFS is part of the Air Mobility Command's 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnnell AFB. The 22nd ARW is one of only three "super tanker" KC-135 Stratotanker wings in the Air Force, according to the McConnell AFB Web site.

"Our primary mission is to provide global reach by conducting air refueling and airlift where and when needed," the Web site states.

According to its base Web site, Joint Base Balad is located approximately 42 miles north of Baghdad in the Sunni Triangle region, which was considered the power base of Saddam Hussein. Joint Base Balad also includes what was formerly Logistics Support Area Anaconda, the largest Army supply center in Iraq.

(Staff Sgt. Keyonna Fennell, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this report.)