Security Forces Personnel Prepare For Deployment Published Feb. 1, 2007 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- For the first time since being called up in response to the devastating attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, the 910th Security Forces Squadron has received the call to duty in support of the Global War on Terror. Nine members of the 910th SFS were activated January 9 for a six-month deployment to Kirkuk AB, Iraq for a variety of security related duties. The Airmen are required to attend formal training prior to deploying into this dangerous region of Iraq. Patriot Defender is an AFRC sustainment training exercise located at Camp Swift near Bastrop, Texas, according to Lieutenant Nathan List, 910th Security Forces Squadron Operations officer. The Ground Combat Skills exercise will hone and refresh the deploying Airmen's skills needed in today's expeditionary force. A combination of classroom, practical applications, and military operations urban training culminates in a realistic three-day field training exercise. One deploying member, Staff Sgt. Miguel Mercado, recently returned from volunteering for a six-month assignment at Eskan Village outside Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of a personnel security detail. Some of his duties included guarding VIPs and providing escort for trips to the medical center. "I was at least able to see my family for a few weeks over the holidays before going back to the desert. I originally though I'd be activated for a year and my wife was relieved to know that it's for six months," he said. Staff Sgt. McLean, a former U.S. Marine infantryman, is the team leader for deployment. "Most of us have already had some form of desert warfare training through Silver Flag and other courses. I expect Patriot Defender will include more extensive training focusing on convoy security," he said. According to Staff Sgt. McLean, the nine Airmen will train using platoon level weapons such as the M240B light machine gun and M249 squad automatic weapon. Upon returning home from Patriot Defense, the Airmen will get one final dose of realistic IED training. "The full time security forces ARTs and AGRs here are planning on training our guys on detecting IEDs and VBIEs (car bombs)," said Staff Sgt. Everett Radcliffe, an Air Reserve Technician with the 910th Security Forces Squadron. We'll hide mock explosives in vehicles, have wires hanging and many other things to prepare them with as much realistic training as possible before they leave," he concluded. According to Staff Sgt. McLean, several in his group are willing to patrol off base as needed while deployed to Kirkuk AB.