Minnesota ANG Airmen train with 628th SFS

by Staff Sgt. Anthony Hyatt
Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

2/21/2013 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C -- An Air National Guard unit from Minnesota recently wrapped up a training exercise here at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

Sixteen Airmen from the 133rd Security Forces Squadron, stationed at Minneapolis - Saint Paul, Minn., completed a two-week deployed for training, or DFT, from Feb. 2 - 16, 2013 working with Airmen from the 628th Security Forces Squadron.

"Our main mission coming to Joint Base Charleston was to shadow the active-duty service members of the 628th Security Forces Squadron," said Master Sgt. James Kenison, 133rd SFS team lead. "I brought along a lot of younger Airmen and noncommissioned officers that didn't have much active-duty experience."

During their training, the Airmen from the 133rd SFS melded right in with the 628th SFS personnel.

"The partnership between the two squadrons worked so well - my guys blended in great with the active duty," said Kenison. "While stationed here, we performed patrol duty, gate guards, resource protection, combat arms training and maintenance and pass and identification."

The group from Minnesota was also able to conduct a few procedures that they don't perform as often at their home station.

"We actually got to fill out paper work on damage reports and a medical emergency, which we don't typically do at our base," Kenison said. "We also got to observe how the vehicle scanner works."

Another benefit the 133rd SFS Airmen received from this training was the opportunity to work at a larger base.

"Joint Base Charleston is a much larger base than what we are used to in Minneapolis," said Kenison. "Our guys were able to see the day-to-day operations of a joint base and to operate on a base with more than 50 C-17s, compared to a with base single digit aircraft."

"We were thrilled to have them [133rd SFS Airmen]," said Senior Master Sgt. Jacob Blake, 628th SFS Operations superintendent. "From their team leader, Master Sgt. Kenison, on down, every member of the 133rd Security Forces Squadron that worked with us was committed, professional and exceptionally capable."

The 133rd SFS were accompanied on this training mission by personnel from the 133rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, who were training with the 437th Aerial Port Squadron.

The 133rd SFS is responsible for the protection of aerospace both at home station and deployed locations. This unit also works with air base defense, law enforcement, security, combat arms training and maintenance and the Phoenix Ravens.

The ANG has units in every state and territory of the United States.

The Air National Guard accomplishes three missions: to support the Air Force in its national security objectives, to protect life and property, and to preserve peace, order and public safety, and to participate in local, state and national programs, according to the Air National Guard website.

As a member of the ANG, members are required to attend one drill per month and one period of annual training per year. A drill consists of two days of training per month.