RAF Croughton airmen put in extra
hours as Raven security apprentices
By Ron Jensen, U.K.
bureau
Ron Jensen / Stars and Stripes
Senior AIrman Carlos Ferreira leaps a set of tires at RAF Croughton, England. Ferreira and
others set up the obstacle course so they can train for the Raven program. |
RAF CROUGHTON, England — Few people needed the tragic events of Sept. 11 to
recognize that the world is a dangerous place. Military members understand that inherently
and train for it daily.
A handful of airmen at RAF Croughton, England, have been taking that to extremes in
recent months, rising early each day to voluntarily put themselves through a grueling
workout so they can help confront that uncertain world.
The airmen are serving as Raven apprentices in a program created four years ago by Air
Mobility Command to provide extra security for aircraft passing through countries where
the threat is either high or unknown.
Such flights might have two specially trained security forces personnel aboard who keep
watch when an aircraft is on the ground.
"It’s basically force protection on the aircraft," said Capt. Woody
Boyd, chief of security forces for the 422nd Air Base Squadron based at RAF Croughton.
The Ravens, who perform normal security duties at their home base when not flying, are
trained to identify and handle threats that might escape notice of the busy aircrew.
But with only 20 qualified Ravens and at least two required for each flight, the 786th
Security Forces Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, frequently needs an additional
body or two. That’s where the airmen at RAF Croughton enter the picture.
"These guys offered us their help," said Tech Sgt. Benjamin Delmar, Raven
coordinator with the 786th. "Since they offered, we’re more than happy to use
them."
Boyd introduced the program to his charges. While waiting for slots to open in the
training schedule at Air Warfare Center at Fort Dix, N.J., so they can become full-fledged
Ravens, five airmen are preparing themselves for the additional physical demands.
They have developed their own schedule of running and calisthenics, far beyond what
their jobs require, but one that is worth a shot at a job they all want.
"We don’t have a mobility requirement [at RAF Croughton]," said Staff
Sgt. Juan Gonzalez. "This gives us a chance to get out and see what the rest of the
Air Force is doing."
"You go to places a lot of people don’t get to go," said Staff Sgt.
Kevin Jones.
Boyd said he can spare only one person at a time and needs five days lead time for
that. But he said participation in the Raven program benefits his troops and his squadron.
"We’re getting a lot in return," he said. "Not only is there a
drive that they didn’t have before, they also bring confidence and experience back to
the fight.
"It gives them real-world experience instead of exercise experience."
He said one airman from his squadron joined a flight crew that traveled to seven
countries in four days.
"He came back 10 times more motivated than he was before," the captain said.
That airman was Senior Airman Carlos Ferreira, who saw Ghana, Uganda and Kenya on his
four-day journey. He said the trip opened his eyes to the world and to the need for the
added security.
"Some air bases don’t even have perimeter fencing," he said. "You
see people walking across the runway."
It is not a job that involves a lot of sightseeing. If the country is considered to
contain a threat to the aircraft, the Raven stays with the airplane.
"If you do stop at a country that doesn’t require a Raven, you get a chance
to go out, go to the hotel and do everything the aircrew does," said Gonzalez.
But in a country where the threat is present, the Ravens are additional sets of eyes.
They are taught how to identify a threat and handle it in a way that doesn’t set off
an international incident.
In light of the recent terrorist attacks on the United States, Gonzalez’s
description of the Ravens is even more accurate.
"You never know where the threat is coming from," he said.
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