Security forces on alert - Airman's World - Operation Southern Watch following U.S terrorist attacks - Brief Article

Airman, Dec, 2001 by Mark Kinkade

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airman 1st Class Michael Malloy is a little tense these days. What was supposed be another routine deployment to Operation Southern Watch -- his third in his nearly three-year Air Force career -- has become anything but just another tour in the sand.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington heightened security for U.S. forces worldwide and made security forces in this part of the world realize they are standing guard on what could become the frontlines of the war on terrorism.

"We realize the threat is real," said Malloy, part of the 823rd Security Forces Squadron. "We used to think 'How can they mess with the United States?' We were confident about what the threat was. Now it's in your face. We're right in the middle of everything."

Most cops guarding U.S. aircraft have been here before. Some from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., pulled rotations of up to 120 days, returned home for three months, only to deploy again.

Deployments were once routine -- quiet. Each day was another in a mind-numbing parade of hot, sandy, fly-infested 12-hour days walking a beat, patrolling in a Humvee or standing a post.

Images of aircraft slamming into the World Trade Center and Pentagon made people realize they're vulnerable to terrorist attack, said Master Sgt. Darrell Oswald, who supervises the forces.

"I think during the [Gulf] War, there was such a buildup and everyone slowly got used to it and really understood what was going to happen," said Oswald, a Gulf War veteran who has been on five deployments in Southwest Asia. "It wasn't quite as intense as now, because now we're worrying about the terrorist threat, the bombings or something like that."

The realization this war puts U.S. forces in the area in the middle of the bullseye for terrorist attacks means increased scrutiny of what were once routine activities. The cops carefully check faces. They take their time checking identification cards. If a car breaks down on a nearby highway, the forces are on alert until the car leaves.

In the compound, bunkers are reinforced. New concertina wire covers high concrete embankments. When aircraft land, tension levels skyrocket, and the cops are on highest alert.

"There's a lot more intensity," said Senior Airman John Ackerman, from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. He's on his fourth Southern Watch deployment in six years. "We don't sit around as much as we used to. We're all much more on guard because we're right where the threat is."

The forces here are also concerned about attacks on their hometowns.

"The guys are uptight about their families," Oswald said. "In the past, we didn't think our families would be in danger. We were over here. They were safe. But the attacks make them worry about the folks at home more."

Though worried, the cops aren't wringing their hands and moaning about their woes. In fact, they're all ready for what comes next. They know any American response to the Sept. 11 attacks will increase the likelihood of terrorist activity. But they're eager to get involved in the war on terrorism. They want to see the people behind the attacks brought to justice.

"I'm all for it," said Ackerman, from Sarasota, N.Y. He has family living and working near the World Trade Center. For a while after the attacks, he worried they may have been victims.

"I take it personally. We all do. My whole family is e-mailing me, telling me to keep up the good work."