Security meets diplomacy

6/12/2003 - OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (AFPN) -- Although the main objective of the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron is to protect people and resources at Ganci Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, some of the squadron airmen have also a diplomatic role in their security duties.

Tech. Sgt. Lex Goan regularly works one of the special posts patrolling a huge area outside the base perimeter that includes fields, rivers, woods and most importantly, some local villages.

Ive never had a deployment where I was doing something like this on this scale, said Goan. This is awesome. We may be the first and only Americans that a lot of the people in the villages will ever meet. Its our responsibility to make a good impression.

Shortly after a recent patrol left the base gate, it was apparent the locals knew who they were. Almost everyone waved, and most signaled for the team to stop and visit. After a conversation using an accompanying interpreter, the patrol moved on through a maze of fields and wooded trails.

Its real easy to get lost here, said Goan. Thats why we keep the same person out here.

Also, knowledge of the area is vital for noticing something out of place, he said.

As soon as the patrol stopped at the first of three villages, children raced to the vehicle, waving and shouting. When they got to the truck, they stopped and looked at the security forces in amazement with wide eyes and dropped jaws. They did not jump on the truck or ask for anything, they simply waited for the team to start the conversation.

Who wants some candy, asked Goan as he pulled a large bag from the back of the vehicle. Ill trade you for your bike, he playfully told one of the boys, who readily agreed.

While Goan handed out candy and the children asked him questions, one boy was excited to explain who the small, shy girl with him was.

My sister. My sister, the boy told them as he pointed to the girl, who was turning her head in embarrassment.

After visiting with the children, the patrol headed toward another village. The terrain was rough and only a Humvee could get through it, Goan said.

The next village was no different than the first. Children race to the Humvee and waited for the airmen to get out and talk.

The kids are always excited to see us, said Airman 1st Class David OConnor. They crowd around and we give them candy and water. Its neat to see.

During the stop, a local farmer recognized Goan and stopped his horse-drawn wagon so he and his son could talk for a bit. He explained that he was on his way to the market to sell the calf because he needed some money.

While Goan was petting the calf and talking to the farmer, one of the patrol members pulled out a camera. The children quickly gathered and begged to get their pictures taken with the airmen.

They know us, OConnor explained. If they see a new face, they ask who you are. They were real curious about the Danish cop we had with us because his uniform was different. Theyre good with recognizing faces.

OConnor said working the patrol is not possible for every security forces airman. The patrol has a special weapons requirement, and those who are qualified rotate through the post to give everyone a chance to gain some experience.

A lot of the younger (airman) we bring out here tell me they feel sorry for the people, said Goan. I tell them I dont because the people dont feel sorry for themselves. Theyre very proud, happy and family-oriented people. They may not have all the commercial goods that we have at home, but they dont know about life with those things, so they cant possible notice not having them.

The patrol spent some more time with the children and headed back into the woods toward the base. The day was another success in providing force protection and building relationships in the local area.

Primarily, we are here for force protection, said Tech. Sgt. Patrick Thompson. Were also letting the community know that were not all bad guys the way were portrayed.

Since he began working the post in early May, Goan said nothing out of the ordinary has happened on his shift.

For the most part, the people we talk to are happy to have us here, he said. I havent had any kind of conflict with anyone, and I think our presence works as a deterrent to those who might be thinking of doing the base harm.