An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Mobility Airman profile: Joint Base Charleston NCO supports security forces, joint expeditionary ops in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  In the deployed environment, especially in places like Afghanistan, Air Force security forces Airmen are often the front-line protectors for expeditionary air bases.

For Staff Sgt. Ryan Stocklin deployed with the 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, he not only protects billions of dollars worth of assets and hundreds of people as a security forces Airman but also as a military working dog handler. He is deployed from the 628th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

Security forces Airmen like Sergeant Stocklin receive a host of specialized training to complete their deployed mission. According to his Air Force job description, Sergeant Stocklin 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 Stocklin 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 Stocklin might include wearing the latest in "battle rattle." This can include the latest in protective armor and combat-ready gear. Additionally, he'll 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 Stocklin 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.

According to the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs, the 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron provides administrative support and operational control to more than 600 joint expeditionary-tasked and individual augmentee Airmen like Sergeant Stocklin embedded with the U.S. Army, joint and coalition tactical commanders in support of Operation Enduring Freeand and International Security Assistance Forces. The Airmen of the 466th AES work both on Kandahar Air Field and at more than 50 forward operating bases covering more than 135,000 square miles throughout southern and western Afghanistan.

At his home station with the 628th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Sergeant Stocklin supports a mission to provide force protection, law enforcement, physical security and administrative support for 28,000 military, civilian, retirees, and family members on a 6,688-acre installation, according to 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs. The squadron also provides security for strategic aircraft valued at more than $12.8 billion.