927 SFS answer the call

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing/Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Dozens of family members, friends and well-wishers, gathered here early Sunday morning to say their goodbyes to the first wave of deploying 927th Security Forces Squadron members.

"It's going to be tough, I'm going to miss her, but I know she will be ok, she is well trained and she'll have the rest of her friends with her," said Daniel Rumfelt, husband to Senior Airman Cammie Rumfelt, 927 SFS.
 
Rumfelt is correct, for the first time since 9/11 the 927 SFS is deploying as a squadron. More than 80 percent of the squadron has or will ship out within the next week or so.

"It's a good thing for us, team continuity, they are familiar with the leadership, their familiar with working with each other, it's just going to be a much more fluid deployment for them, Said Master Sgt. Christopher Cassabon, 927 SFS anti-terrorism officer. " It's hard on the unit to get that many members out the door, but its worth it, the base will be much better defended because of it, we'll have higher morale because of it, and we will be much more efficient because of it."

Prior to arriving at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, the defenders will first travel to the Fort Bliss, Texas, to complete two weeks of required training.

"Not only is it general security forces training, air base defense, force protection and anti-terrorism but it is also going to be specifically tailored to the installation that they are going to," said Cassabon.
  
While deployed the defenders will primarily be performing air base security, but could be called upon to perform other anti-terrorist duties.

"I have the utmost confidence in our troops downrange, we've got good dedicated people that are raring to go, they can't wait to get their boots on the ground out there," Said Staff Sgt. Philip Stephens, 927th SFS deployment chalk leader.