Imagine being told that you need to field a unit to fly to Pakistan to deliver supplies to flood victims. In addition, you’ve learned that you’ll need force protection and have five days to get your security team ready. Despite the drawdown of expeditionary efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, there will still be a need to rapidly fly resources to the far reaches of the globe.  Whether it’s for a unit engaged in counterterrorism efforts in East Africa or for delivering humanitarian supplies to a remote location in Southeast Asia, the logistics and especially the security of a newly established airfield are critical to sustaining the endeavor. How do you orient and train available personnel who are not necessarily billeted for security in order to secure your site and its equipment?

Since 2010, ANSER, an operating unit of Analytic Services has been helping Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) meet these needs in a cost effective manner thru the Fly Away Security Training (FAST) program. The team has supported training for over 300 personnel deploying to countries ranging from Mongolia to the Philippines. Additionally, the ANSER team has reduced the original training time from three weeks to one week. Within a FAST course, ANSER’s experts provide the following:

• Classroom instruction on the Air Force’s Use of Force Policy, other legal requirements, and issuance of operational orders
• Lessons covering available U.S. embassy support, an overview of the Foreign Clearance Guide and cultural familiarization


• Hands on field training for security tactics, survival lessons, tactical communications, and mission planning

Despite being drafted in 1990, the White Paper, Global Reach - Global Power: The Evolving Air Force Contribution to National Security*, is still very relevant. Within its second revision in 1992, it states, “Part of global reach and power is employing air and space forces to accomplish national security objectives by building influence abroad.” For over 50 years, Analytic Services has harnessed its breadth of experience to help the Air Force responsibly extend its presence allowing our Nation to vigilantly confront threats and build partnerships.

*Aerospace Education Foundation 1992

Air Force Security Training

The Air Force vision of providing precise and reliable Global Vigilance, Reach and Power for our Nation relies on an ability to launch, recover and secure aircraft resources across the full range of airbase and airfield capabilities and locations.  A key enabler for achieving this vision is airbase and airfield security which has evolved over time to meet emerging threats and requirements.

In the 1980s the Air Force’s answer for enhanced airfield security was to supplement the given aircraft’s crew with special police. In the 1990s, Air Mobility Command began to consolidate security efforts through the Phoenix Raven program which supplied highly specialized force protection for expeditionary operating environments. Within the last decade, the U.S. military has been prosecuting broad counterterrorism efforts while also evolving into a first-in-class disaster relief and crisis response force. To put it simply, the Air Force didn’t have enough Ravens or special police to fulfill the security requirements for an increasing demand to operate from ad-hoc airfields. The FAST concept allows PACAF to expand its capability by training available personnel to meet security needs.