BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 460th Security Forces Squadron has grown a lot over the last couple of months. The big difference to Team Buckley is our new hours for the 6th Ave Gate (Inbound is 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Outbound is 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The difference means even more to the Defenders you see every day. We can now operate in 8-10 hour shifts versus 12-14 hours we were in before. Now our Defenders can train harder than ever and spend more time with their families!
Buckley’s gates may not seem like much, but they are the first line of defense for the Buckley mission and team. You can see this in the number of Defenders we have verifying IDs in the mornings. From our newest Airmen to our SNCOs and Officers, it is all hands on deck to ensure that we get everyone that plays a role on this base to their destination quickly and safely.
Look back to the exercise on Nov. 19, 2019. While it may have been an inconvenience, it was also an incredibly valuable training for all who play a role in Integrated Defense, not just Security Forces. After two hours of traffic back up, your Defenders processed through the traffic in less than 45 minutes from the time they were authorized. Despite the pressure and difficult situation, our Defenders took on the challenge with no complaint. Courage, dedication, and courteousness – that is what you can expect of the Defenders here at Buckley AFB.
Gen. David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, and Chief Master Sgt. Kaleth Wright, Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force, declared that 2019 was the year of the Defender, and moving into 2020 the focus is on Integrated Defense. We recognize that the 460th SFS cannot do this alone. Everyone on this base plays a role in the safety and security of our installation, and you can see that through the new Army personnel we have at our gates. The 460th SFS Training Section taught Soldiers from the 743rd Military Intelligence Battalion what they need to know for that key point of our base, and taught them when to seek help from the Defenders who serve as the subject matter experts. However, you do not have to be assigned a position to play a role in Integrated Defense! If you see something out of the ordinary that could pose a risk to the mission or personnel, please contact our Base Defense Operations Center at 847-9250.
Now, working the gate, especially with this winter we have had, could seem like the worst place to be. BUT! You must have never seen Officer West, our civilian Department of the Air Force. He is an excellent Defender who you can tell has fun and enjoys talking with people as they come through.
The next time you are coming through the gate, remember all of the thought and time that is put into Buckley’s defense. What can you do to help us? Remember we have the outbound lane changed to inbound at the Mississippi gate in the mornings, do not cut off other drivers, and have your ID ready before you reach us. Most importantly, rest assured that our Defenders will get you to your destination in the safest way possible.