LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Virginia –
Langley welcomed back 13 members of the 1st Security Forces Squadron Jan. 9 after a six-month rotation at Camp Bucca, Iraq, as part of the 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.
The SFS members were responsible for a variety of duties at the prison, including perimeter security and convoy duty.
“Our guys did a little of everything over there,” said Senior Airman Timothy Keller, one of the 1st SFS members. “We did force protection, guys running convoys. I did force protection on one of the towers on the perimeter.”
Camp Bucca, a detainment facility near the city of Umm Qasr, houses Iraqi detainees who have been deemed a security threat. There have been several escape attempts at the facility, some of which were defeated with the help of the 1st SFS members.
“During our stay we found three tunnels,” Airman Keller said. “Some detainees tried to get out. They made it to the wire, but we brought them in.”
Senior Airman Alicia Mathews, 1st SFS entry controller, acted as a mobile patrol, driving around the facility in a Humvee. She said the deployment changed her for the better.
“I believe it’s definitely changed my thinking about the Iraqi culture and how I think in general,” she said. “I had a chance to go to Umm Qasr and hand out school supplies our families and friends donated. I realized they’re just like us. They all have different ways of thinking and living.”
“I didn’t think I’d be in a position to get to know them a bit better,” she added.
There were also frightening moments as well.
“Once there was a rocket and mortar attack,” Airman Keller said. “A lot of guys said they were laying in bed and could hear the rockets whistling over.”
“But we all made it back safe,” he said with relief.