AIRBASE SECURITY IN IRAQ

Working in unison at Australia’s main air operating base in the Middle East, Airfield Defence Guards, Air Force Security, Air Force Police and Airbase Protection personnel make up the Security Detachment (SECDET) of the Combat Support Unit (CSU).

The 45-person flight is responsible for the provision of ground-based security in support of the Air Task Group’s mission to disrupt and degrade Daesh. Flying Officer Zacari Smit was the SECDET Commander for CSU Rotation 13 (CSU-13), which recently returned to Australia. He said during their deployment SECDET implemented an integrated security plan with United States Air Force (USAF) Security Forces to provide a unified approach to security at the base.

“We worked alongside USAF Security Forces to maintain active and passive defence measures 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said. “This included undertaking mounted and dismounted patrols, conducting key point protection, operating entry control points and providing emergency response teams.”

Integrating with the USAF Security Forces also provided training and development opportunities for SECDET personnel at individual and collective levels. Training was designed to ensure mission readiness, common understanding of standard operating procedures and to assist in the cross-pollination of tactics.

Activities included scenario based training, theoretical lessons, rehearsals and physical training. SECDET military working dog handlers also provided support to USAF Security Forces canine training, ensuring the security workforce remained ready to respond to threats and incidents accordingly.

“Working alongside Coalition partners allowed members of SECDET to observe the similarities between the various Security Forces whilst developing great espirit de corps.” The personnel of the CSU-13 SECDET forged a strong, adaptable and resilient team, ensuring the safety and security of Australian personnel, aircraft, assets and facilities were met.

CSU-13 SECDET has handed over duties to CSU-14 Security Flight who will continue to build on those robust relationships.