MESD 13 Sailors train for security mission

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stan Coleman
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Navy Reserve unit at Whiteman Air Force Base is land locked and loving it. What is a naval unit doing at a military base that is more than 800 miles from the ocean? 

"Members of the Navy are located all over the United States," said Master at Arms 1st Class Jabir Hazziez, and NCOIC of training with Maritime Expeditionary Security Division 13, Detachment 131 located at the Fireman Second Class Ike Skelton building at Whiteman. A second unit assigned to MESD 13 is Detachment 132, located in Tulsa, Okla. 

"The Maritime Expeditionary Security Division 13 operations mission is both seaward and landward, said MA1 Hazziez. "We have a world-wide mission of force protection under the umbrella organization of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. 

"Our mission includes providing a layered defense in an integrated coastal and landward security environment," he said. "We may be called upon to operate in any number of security scenarios-- including convoy security, anti-piracy operations, and aircraft security missions under the Phoenix Raven program." 

The Phoenix Raven program, implemented in 1997 by the Air Mobility Command, provides specially trained security forces personnel who provide close-in security for aircraft transiting airfields where security is unknown or additional security is needed to counter local threats. 

MESD 13 personnel consist of Expeditionary Sailors with a variety of Navy ratings. A Navy rating is defined as an occupation that consists of specific skills and abilities. You'll find Sailors rated as Boatswain's Mate, Master at Arms, Storekeeper, Yeoman and Information Systems Technician to name just a few. All of these Sailors train to perform the Maritime Expeditionary Security mission. 

Unit level training is conducted by subject matter experts who are members of the Command Training Team. Additional training is conducted at schools operated by all four branches of the U.S. military. 

"All of them are subject matter experts due to their experience and specialty training," said MA1 Hazziez. "It's motivating to see a new Sailor grasp the expeditionary mindset--no matter whether the sailor is prior active duty or brand-new to the Navy and this is their first assignment. We train them to exceed the standard and condition them to be the best caliber of sailor there is. 

"As specialists in security, they are trained to do what they have to do without thinking about it," he said. "Our Sailors have to be physically fit and team players. Also, I emphasize that our Sailors focus and excel on their individual training to benefit themselves and the team." 

Evidence of the team concept is demonstrated in the security scenarios practiced by MESD 13. A security member stands ready to respond while his team mate conducts a personnel or vehicle search. Also, MESD 13 Sailors monitoring the shores provide protection to Sailors monitoring ships arriving and departing the seaports. 

"It doesn't matter what branch of the military you're in or what law enforcement agency you serve in," said Master at Arms 1st Class Timothy Perry, member of the Combat Training Team. "When you're serving in law enforcement or security you develop a cop mentality. You learn to react with quick thinking and action. You don't have much time to evaluate the results in all situations. And you're always multi-tasking." 

MA1 Perry is the Leading Petty Officer for the unit which is similar to a first sergeant assignment in the Air Force. 

"The most difficult aspect of our training is the short learning curve," said Hull Technician 2nd Class Daryn Sanders. "Our training is fast paced and mission-oriented. You have to be on your toes or get left behind." 

"It takes the Navy's best to train here and be prepared to do the mission," he added.