USAF Security Forces deployed to Southwest Asia find themselves going beyond the typical Air Force blue SF work of protecting an air base. They are taking over some area security missions normally performed by US Army soldiers. At Camp Bucca, Iraq, for instance, USAF security forces are going outside the base to search for insurgents and to clear deadly improvised explosive devices. And, they are taking on traditional Army civil affairs tasks, such as meeting with Iraqi police forces and citizens.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.