349th Security Forces train with OPERATION Convoy One

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Robert Wade
  • 349th Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Early Sunday morning, Sept. 8, the M-16s were prepped and ready for the coming OPERATION Convoy One training exercise.

The 349th Security Forces squadron's task was to protect and transport personnel and equipment that had just been offloaded from a C-17 to the drop-off point across base. The convoy consisted of more than 14 various vehicles from civil engineer, security forces, and the aerial port squadrons including fire suppression, cargo handling, and earth moving equipment. Security forces provided a number of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, including heavily armored versions.

"We began the planning process in May and it has grown from there," said Technical Sgt. Robert Teames, 349th SFS unit training manager.

Teames has extensive experience in convoy operations. He has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan numerous times. He was passing along, through this training exercise, his knowledge and experience to the less experienced members of the various squadron participants.

"My favorite part was being a gunner on the convoy," said Senior Airman Oscar Sanchez, a CES member. "I loved this exercise. You learned the CBT and then you were doing it. You had your supervisors and mentors helping out."

Senior Airman Adriana Pop, another CES member said, "It was fun. I was on the bus and saw what everyone in the convoy was doing. The training exercise made an impression on the players."

"I don't think anyone wants to just sit around and work on the computer," said Sanchez, "Instead of working 7-4, I'd rather work from 6-9 if it's going to be this fun. It's the most fun I've had since I've been in the Air Force," he added.