SJ cops in first solo AF ground base defense attack since Vietnam

Published Dec. 17, 2010
By Lori B. Alves
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs volunteer

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB, N.C. -- For the first time since the Vietnam War, Air Force Security Forces members on the ground solely defended a base from attack in May of 2010. Fourteen of those Airmen were members of the 4th Security Forces Squadron, just recently back from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan.

"I was driving the bus en route to the fight and I couldn't control the adrenaline in my body," said Staff Sergeant Jonathan Waddell, of Rosemount, Minn. "My hands were shaking and my leg was bouncing off the clutch. The adrenaline just takes over."

At dawn May 19 ¬-- one month into their deployment -- Sergeant Waddell was transporting his flight from the dorms to the perimeter area of Bagram Air Base after hearing the 50-caliber weapon go off from one of the perimeter towers. The Airmen quickly learned the base had been breached by 23 Taliban members dressed in U.S. Army uniforms.

"We had been hit with mortars earlier in the morning ... I didn't think too much about it," said Senior Airman Michael Marez, of Riverside, Calif., who said the base was routinely hit with indirect fire attacks during his six months. "But when they light up the 50-caliber, you know something is wrong."

The attack was the largest mounted against an air base since the Vietnam War when during the Tet Offensive, battalions of North Vietnamese Army soldiers, tried to breach the perimeter of bases such as Tan Son Nhut. At that time, Air Force Security Forces relied heavily on Army support for base defense, according to Security Forces doctrines.

The May 19 defense of Bagram Air Base marks the first time the Air Force ground forces were able to repeal a ground assault without the help of Army ground forces. With support from Army and Air Force air assets, the defenders repelled the Taliban assault, saving hundreds of lives. The three-hour fight resulted in 19 Taliban killed and four captured.

"There was so much going on in that three-hour period," Sergeant Waddell said. "Our staff sergeants came together, took control and made decisions. It was really a time that our staff sergeants and senior airmen shined, and were able to do what we are trained to do."

The Airmen, who trained together for 45 days prior to their deployment, used that knowledge to get through the attack. The Taliban breached the perimeter between two towers after killing an American civilian contractor and stealing his truck. The Taliban attacked using small-arm weapons, hand grenades and most had on suicide bomb vests in hopes to inflict mass casualties on coalition forces. One security forces defender was injured in the attack by shrapnel from a grenade. His friends said he was back on the job two weeks later.

Senior Airman Jacob Simmons, of Roanoke, Va., was posted in one of the towers armed with an M4-carbine when the attack occurred.

"It was scary. Where I was posted, I'm watching this firefight and my weapon was useless, I couldn't engage," he said. "The M4 isn't accurate enough to shoot within the parameters to avoid friendly fire, and I couldn't leave my post. Then we hear that (our friend) was down, and you assume that he didn't make it. It's unnerving."

Airman Simmons in turn focused his watch on the outside of the base, knowing that his weapon could deter more enemies from encroachment. These towers were key to securing the base for the Airmen involved in the ground defense.

"We were able to get on higher ground by going up into one of the towers on the perimeter," said Staff Sergeant Matthew Lack, of Modesto, Calif. "It gave us a little advantage. Ultimately, the training definitely kicked in. There's no apprehension -- you just do it."

All 14 of the Seymour Johnson Airmen had deployed down range before; however, this type of combat was a first for all of them. Half of the Seymour Johnson crew were assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron; in charge of security of the base perimeter, collecting intelligence outside the base, and armed with M24s and M107s. The other half was assigned to the Tactical Security Element; transporting office of special investigation agents and others outside the wire in up-armored vehicles loaded with heavy machine guns such as the 50-caliber. The men and women are truly a team; more often than not, they finish each other's thoughts and sentences.

"None of us expected this," said Sergeant Lack. "The mortars were routine, but we had no intel at the time that foresaw this."

"Now we know that when there's no Intel; something's going to happen," said Staff Sergeant Mark Price, of Shirleysburg, Penn.

Immediately following the attack, the Airmen received medical evaluations at the clinic, and while some returned to their post, others slept before their next shift. From that day on, their deployment was high-impact; Airmen and Soldiers unsure if a breach would occur again.

"It was the most stressful deployment I've been on," Sergeant Waddell said. "There were so many Airmen dealing with combat stress."

"I was never so happy to come back," said Senior Airman Rafael Figueroa, of Racine, Wis. "I appreciated everything when I came back here--my friends, my family, the States. Just everything."

The Airmen returned to Seymour Johnson in October to new leadership within their squadron. They all said it was an adjustment but the most important thing they received was understanding and the mandatory leave.

Chief Master Sergeant Jennifer Kersey, of the 4th Security Forces Squadron, said Daniel Sitterly, the Air Force's Director of Force Development, says it best, "The Warrior Airman of Character is well prepared to be successful in battle and in maintaining the USAF as best in the world."

"That is what the 4th SFS Defenders did that night," Chief Kersey said. "Their courage and character was well defined as combat leaders before they were challenged in battle ... and that defined their success. I am very proud to be part of their team."

All of the Airmen said they received proper briefings and counseling opportunities once they left down range--some completed Reintegration Counseling at Ramstien Air Base in Germany. Many of the Airmen said they spoke to their families, particularly their fathers, about the fight and try to find humor in the tales.

"Things happen. We find the humor in it. We laugh," Sergeant Price said. "You have to. You can't live on the edge and be paranoid during the entire deployment. You have to keep the morale up. All we have out there is each other. You have to find the humor because at some point we're all going to go back."

"And if I have to go back, I want to deploy with these guys," Airman Marez said.

"It's the only way really ... you know these guys strengths and weaknesses," Sergeant Lack said. "That's how you succeed in a mission."