SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- For years, security forces Airmen have been the first line of defense for air bases and Airmen, securing them both from attack. Since March, security forces Airmen of the 886th Expeditionary Security Forces Group have been protecting America in a new mission -- that of customs and agriculture inspections.
This is a new mission for the Airmen; it is normally handled by Soldiers.
“This is the first time the Army has asked to Air Force for help with combat support,” said Capt. Brian Payne, 886th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron operations officer. “It’s a great opportunity (for us) to work with the Army as we move (toward) more joint-service work in the future.”
The mission involves eliminating restricted and prohibited items such as agricultural pests, environmental hazards, controlled substances and contraband traveling into the United States through Department of Defense channels. To accomplish this, the Airmen inspect and examine all DOD cargo, equipment, aircraft, vehicles and people leaving Southwest Asia through their forward-deployed locations.
“We’re the first line of defense for any hazards that could damage (American) agriculture,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Steele, of the 886th ESFS. “Our guys are pretty thorough; they check everything.”
Those checks begin with all vehicles leaving Southwest Asia, especially Iraq. Before they can be shipped to the United States, they have to be cleaned and inspected.
Officials at units are given guidelines for cleaning the vehicles. The goal is to remove any soil or other foreign debris. Additionally, the vehicles are checked for any contraband or prohibited items, such as war souvenirs. Once they are cleaned, a security forces inspector gives them a final check.
“We ensure the vehicles are clean and sanitized,” said Tech. Sgt. Fred Ciebell, noncommissioned officer in charge of the wash rack. Cleaning and inspecting a vehicle can take anywhere from four to 12 hours. Every nook and cranny has to be clean and pass inspection. “We’re pretty nitpicky,” he said.
Once the vehicles pass the inspections, they enter a sterile holding area before being shipped out.
“We’re actually working homeland security,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Aston, of the 886th ESFS. “We make sure nothing dangerous gets back to the states.”
Besides inspecting vehicles, the 886th ESFG Airmen also check servicemembers, who are required to pass a U.S. customs inspection. What makes it different is that the inspectors are Airmen, not customs agents.
“We’re performing customs (inspections) for the United States,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Shelton, a 886th ESFS customs inspector. “We’re representing both the Customs Service and the Air Force.”
Before their inspection, people are given a chance to drop items into an amnesty box. Once they proceed past that area, each bag is inspected. Inspectors handle about 100 people an hour with numbers reaching 1,500 to 1,600 people on a busy day. Their main goal is ensure everyone and everything heading back to the United States meets all federal customs restrictions.
For many of the troops, it is about more than just the inspections.
“It’s kind of humbling to see people who’ve been in the action,” said 2nd Lt. Ryan Natalini, a 886th ESFS flight commander. “We see 90 percent of the folks leaving (with) Purple Hearts, Bronze Stars -- honest to God war heroes.”
The 886th ESFG Airmen will continue to provide customs inspections through March when Sailors will take over.