Aircraft fleet gets special protection

By LACW Simone Liebelt

Leading Aircraftman Andrew Hathaway, an ADG on attachment to No. 34 Squadron, on security duty in front of a BBJ jet at Fairbairn.

Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

A TEAM of Airfield Defence Guards (ADGs) and Security Police (SECPOL) from across Australia have joined forces to provide around-theclock protection to the Air Force’s special-purpose fleet.

Consisting of eight Reservist ADGs from Nos 1 and 3 Airfield Defence Squadrons and six permanent SECPOL personnel from various bases, the security team combines skills in ground defence, military dog handling and investigations to provide 24-hour protection to 34SQN personnel and assets.

Attached to the Squadron in December, the team of 14 will continue to be rotated through on a monthly basis until permanent positions are established midyear.

While ADGs and SECPOL regularly work together in a force protection role in exercises and operational areas, this attachment is an example of the two disciplines incorporating their skills into a single security role within a normal working environment.

Their regular duties include 24hr patrols, surveillance of assets, incident response, law enforcement and discipline, investigations, emergency response and fly-away security, which involves the protection of 34SQN aircraft and crew on domestic or international flight tasks.

On his second rotation to 34SQN, Leading Aircraftman Andrew Hathaway, of 1AFDS, said the security role was different to what he was used to but found it valuable training.

He was looking forward to his first fly-away tasking. Flight Sergeant Andrew Floor, 34SQN Security Officer, said the new members were an important addition to the Squadron.

“I believe our future is in force protection and this is a great example of how incorporating all the different skills of the security areas can be a real asset to our organisation,” he said.

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