Staff Sgt. Fred Morris, 100th Security Forces Squadron, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, left, instructs Staff Sgt. Juan Sicardo, Puerto Rico Army Air National Guard squad leader, in rifle training and defensive tactics here recently.  More than 100 Puerto Rico Army guard troops began training here March 11 as security forces augmentees. (Photo by Capt. Angela O'Connell) Click here for high-resolution image!

ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (USAFENS) -- Approximately 100 soldiers from the Puerto Rico Army National Guard began training here March 11 as security forces augmentees.

These soldiers will perform duties to include assisting with installation entry control, conducting vehicle searches, serving as patrol or response team members and assisting with perimeter patrols. The Guardsmen’s assistance allows security forces to focus on training and force protection, while relieving some strain on their already over-tasked career field.

“We need more people out there,” said Chief Master Sgt. Danny Shine, 100th Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent.“They’re here to help us go into 8 hour shifts and to allow us to conduct training.”

Since Sept. 11, the security forces career field has been strained. Provision of security for home bases, as well as deployments to provide security at forward locations, while trying to maintain proficiency and training requirements is not an easy task to accomplish. At times, this situation has caused them to rely heavily on augmentees from other career fields, creating a further problem by taking many-needed airman away from their work centers.

Army Specialist Jorge Goldilla, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Field Artillery, departed Officer Candidate School to go on this deployment.

“In Puerto Rico we do a lot of training for this. It’s a once in a lifetime chance to be here, (you) take it and drive on,” he said.

Before the soldiers arrived here, they went through training at Fort Dix, N.J., to ensure compliance with Air Force security requirements. Additionally, they are attending training locally, to learn the unique environment here.

“We have an outstanding training package,” said Shine. “I’m confident they’ll do well.”

But even with the new task at hand, the soldiers are adjusting well to their new environment.

“It’s experience for me,” said Army Spc. Sandra Rivera, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Field Artillery. “It’s different from Puerto Rico, but I like it here. The people are nice.”

The integration of the soldiers should be seamless to the base population. As they begin their duties, security forces ask base members to be patient and appreciate the added attention with possible delays at the gate.

Soldiers from the Army National Guard will provide additional security not only for Mildenhall, but also for several installations in Europe.

-- USAFENS --