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AFCENT "Check Six" program promotes vigilance, readiness

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Andriacco
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  SOUTHWEST ASIA - Airmen have long faced physical threats, both at home but especially in the deployed environment.

In light of these threats and to combat the complacency that can come from being comfortable in one's familiar surroundings, U.S. Air Forces Central Command force protection specialists have initiated a new program called "Check Six."

"We developed 'Check Six' to reinforce our daily responsibilities, promote vigilance, and combat complacency," said Lt. Gen. David Goldfein, U.S. AFCENT commander. "Success in this environment requires each of us to stay vigilant and be ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year."

The Check Six program derives its name from an old military phrase that means "watch your back" and because the math adds up - three plus two plus one. As such, the program emphasizes that, during an insider threat or active shooter situation, Airman warriors have three options, escape, barricade or fight back; two possible outcomes, live or die; and one chance to get it right.

To fight complacency and highlight the importance of vigilance, AFCENT facilitators are being posted throughout the theater to better train Airmen on the concepts of the program.

"The facilitators will help integrate the wing commander's local force protection measures with the AFCENT commander's Check Six program objectives," said Capt. James Taylor, AFCENT force protection/anti-terrorism officer.

Facilitators will focus on working with Airmen on effective and timely distribution of threat alerts, educational briefings, and guided battle drills, according to Taylor. AFCENT's goal is to help wings promote their existing force protection programs synchronized under a single Check Six umbrella.

While the battle drills make up the performance aspect of the program, there is a communication piece to the puzzle as well. This is where information sharing and educational briefings are vital and where, ultimately, Airmen participation is critical.

Some of the things Airmen need to be aware of are: noting unfamiliar individuals; recognizing changes in behavior among coworkers and partners; and remembering to question things out of the ordinary such as unattended packages.

Any type of attack, be it direct engagement by an enemy or indirect like an unattended bag laden with explosives, is made worse through complacency, the key negative factor that Check Six is designed to combat, Taylor said

"It is essential that every Airman accept the personal and individual responsibility to remain vigilant," said Chief Master Sgt. Robert Sealey, AFCENT command chief master sergeant. "If you're unprepared and have never considered what actions you should take in a crisis, when the crisis is happening, there is a good chance you will be a casualty."

Each base has a limited number of trained security personnel. Even in the best of circumstances, it can take minutes for them to respond and assess suspicious activities. Airmen may not have the luxury of waiting for security forces to respond and resolve a threat, so having an emergency plan is crucial.

In most cases, even trained personnel can take between three and five seconds to register a new event and react to it, Taylor said. Preparedness can shorten this time and mean the difference between life and death. If every Airman is prepared to react, their chances of achieving success and walking away from the situation unharmed are greatly increased.

"I take very seriously each commander's responsibility to protect our people, assets and missions." Goldfein said. "Over the course of Check Six's implementation and development, I will be looking to each of you to carry out this critical mission objective."