Four 20th SFS teams deploy Published Aug. 31, 2006 By Tarsha Storey 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Monday and Tuesday, 45 members of the 20th Security Forces Squadron deployed in four teams to various locations to support operations in the Central Command Area of Responsibility in Southwest Asia. Most of the deployed members will be conducting the typical security forces mission -- base security and flightline security -- while others will be doing jobs not normally identified with security forces, such as convoy security and detainee operations, said Maj. Mark Swaitek, 20th SFS commander. "Security forces members are versatile; we're a combination of police officers, security guards, soldiers, jailers, corrections officers -- you name it, we do it. We can handle whatever they send our way," said Maj. Swaitek. Some of the members are excited about the deployment, while others just want to get the job done. For most, this is not their first deployment. Staff Sgt. DeMario Simmons, 20th SFS unit deployment manager, said a lot of the members deploy for six months, sometimes eight. Some have a year between deployments, some have six months between deployments. "This is my third deployment in four years. My team is going to a prison to do convoy security. I've done security details on previous missions. This one scares me a little because I've never done anything like this before," said Senior Aiman Jessica Flanders, 20th SFS member. Airman 1st Class Dan Beasley, 20th SFS member, said the convoy security mission will be his first deployment. The majority of the teams will be doing the standard security missions while deployed, said Maj. Swaitek. For Tech. Sgts. Joseph Parker and Timothy Vaughn, 20th SFS deployment team leaders, their teams are heading to a base that has been established for awhile and has more comfortable living arrangements. "The location we're going to will show them the better side of what we do. While nothing can take away the pain of being away from their families, at least this time should be a little better for them," said Sgt. Parker. To offset the number of deployed members, Maj. Swaitek said the 20th SFS receives support from Reserve members, Guard members, augmentees, contractors and civilian employees. While these deployments are projected to last for 179 days, there are a few members set to deploy individually in the upcoming months for 365 days to support the training of the Iraqi Security Forces, said Maj. Swaitek. The deployments are not easy, but the missions are essential, said Maj. Swaitek. "We're developing into the strongest Air Force there's ever been. I'd like to come back after I retire and see the Airmen who are currently here in leadership roles. (They are) going to be outstanding," said Maj. Swaitek.