JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Geared up and ready for action, Sailors of the Auxiliary Security Force at Joint Base Charleston will work alongside Security Forces, providing aid in force protection.
These specially trained service members will be manning posts around the base as well as conducting vehicle inspections.
Members of ASF have gone through extensive training, studying various methods that will help keep the base safe from terrorists or harmful threats. They include the levels and uses of force, weapons and non-weapons training, vehicle inspection protocol and much more.
"ASF is our first line of defense for the base," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jacob Moore, security department senior enlisted advisor at Naval Support Activity on JB CHS. "These individuals will greet patrons at the gate, but will mainly be used for vehicle inspections. The members of ASF are the ones who make sure the installation is safe as a whole from any types of threats."
Due to the redrafting of contracts for security personnel and minimum manning, ASF members will be utilized to fulfill positions like that of a security guard.
"When they redefined the contract, the vehicle inspection was taken out," MA1 Moore explained. "What we are working toward is for all security members at JB CHS to work as one team, one fight, where everyone will be able to man the entry control points and be on patrol."
With the ever-changing security threats around the world, ASF has become an essential element to prepare Sailors and Airmen to defend the base against threats.
Mineman 2nd Class Stephen Bancroft at Navy Munitions Command on JB CHS, who has been with the ASF team for more than a year, is excited that the teams will finally be utilized in their entirety.
"I am looking forward to standing post," he said. "It is finally going to give the teams a real taste of what being activated is really like on a longer and larger scale vice just standing up when an event takes place."