Equipping the field

Airman 1st Class David Svendsen, 791st Missile Security Forces dispatcher, inspects a radio on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Sept. 29, 2014. Aside from ensuring that the equipment is in good working condition when it’s returned from the field, dispatchers also verify that the serial numbers match and the trip boxes are fully equipped. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Sahara L. Fales)

Equipping the field

Airman 1st Class David Svendsen, 791st Missile Security Forces dispatcher, answers the phone on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Sept. 29, 2014. Throughout the day, dispatchers are responsible for creating the necessary paperwork to log security forces members’ departure and keep track of their location while they are in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Sahara L. Fales)

Equipping the field

A collection of fully equipped trip boxes are prepared for dispatchers to give to security forces members before they leave for the missile complex on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Sept. 29, 2014. Trip boxes contain mission essential equipment such as binoculars, a range finder, checklists, a personal alarm system, night vision goggles with magnifiers, and a booklet with guidelines for the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Sahara L. Fales)

Equipping the field

Published Oct. 7, 2014
By : Airman 1st Class Sahara L. Fales
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The day begins at 4:45 a.m. as security forces Airmen report to the armory to check out their weaponry and then continue to the dispatch office. This is where they receive their paperwork and any other additional equipment before leaving for the missile complex.

The dispatch office supplies the team with a "trip box," which contains mission-essential equipment such as a booklet with guidelines for the field, checklists, binoculars, night vision goggles with magnifiers, a range finder and a personal alarm system that serves as a way to indicate to maintenance teams below ground that something is happening top-side.

"The security forces team leader will familiarize their team with the equipment supplied in their trip box and also brief them on the expectations for their mission that day," said Senior Airman Samuel Tankersley, 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron dispatcher.

Year round, dispatchers are on call 24/7 to ensure security forces teams in the field have access to any equipment that they may need. In order to maintain mission readiness, each day dispatchers assemble approximately 15-20 trip boxes.

"It's the dispatcher's duty to make sure that security forces has everything they need to do their job," said Senior Airman Colton Peterson, 791st MSFS dispatcher. "We also act as a liaison between security forces and missile maintenance."

At any time a security forces Airman may need to leave for the missile complex to respond to alarms. The dispatch office creates the necessary paperwork to log their departure and keeps track of their location while they are gone.
"We are responsible for knowing what the trip is for, who is on it and where it is going to take place," said Tankersley. "We maintain constant contact with flight security controllers to keep track of movements at all times."

When security forces members arrive back to the dispatch office, they unload and turn in their equipment. Aside from ensuring that it is in good working condition when it's returned from the field, dispatchers also verify that the serial numbers match and the trip boxes are fully equipped for the next shift.