Initial Defense: Inside the Elite Air Force Global Response Force

Warrior Maven Video Above: Why Advanced Stealth is Still “Very Hard to Hit”

By Bennie J. Davis III,Airman Magazine

In an austere location on the other side of globe, unrest breaks out between rival factions and the situation quickly becomes hostile. The U.S. Air Force and its Global Response Force squadrons are called into action.

In less than 96 hours, more than 40 uniquely trained Airmen parachute into the location establishing initial perimeter security and communications. Hours behind them are the capabilities to establish a fully functioning bare base equipped with a tactical operations center for command and control, armored transportation, weapons, ammunition, medical supplies, meals, ground communications and shelter.

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The 820th Base Defense Group is the Air Force’s sole unit organized, trained and equipped to conduct integrated base defense in high-threat areas. The mission of the group is to provide high-risk force protection and integrated base defense for expeditionary air forces.

This scenario is tailor-made to showcase the capabilities and skills of Airmen assigned to the 820th Base Defense Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

“Establishing that perimeter security is what allows us to go ahead and establish that footprint from which we can go ahead and expand,” said Tech. Sgt. Geovanii Pacheco, Combat Operations Squadron tactical training NCO. “From there, we keep expanding those base operations, maintaining communications, until we can actually open up a large enough airfield to get more Air Force assets on the ground and continue on the mission in an austere environment.”