Airman keeps squadron mission ready

Published April 9, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Jeffers
20th Fighter Wing

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- An Airman stood in line nervously. In front of him, his wingmen were each receiving a spray in the face upon reaching the front of the line. He could taste the particles from the spray in the air which burned his tongue slightly. Stepping forward for his turn, he looked at one of his superiors before receiving a face full of pepper spray.

"It felt like my chest was on fire," remembered Senior Airman Chandler Hildebrandt, 20th Security Forces Squadron unit trainer.

His eyes burned, closed shut and refused to open despite his efforts. Hildebrandt's face "felt it had a torch to it" and there was a "searing burning pain." For many seconds, he opened his mouth, but no sound would come out and his breath was short and shallow as he started to hyperventilate which spooked him.

"I will definitely never forget that day," Hildebrandt said as he described his experience being pepper sprayed. "It wasn't very much fun, but we all have to do it to get certified so we can carry it in our gear."

After being sprayed, Hildebrandt and his fellow members of security forces had to shout commands, challenge a person and arrest them, and then use a baton to hit four dummies with three strikes each. All members of security forces must be pepper sprayed and complete those tasks to qualify to carry it while patrolling the base, guarding the gate, and protecting the flightline and its assets.

"I believe security forces is very important to Shaw's mission and the overall mission of the Air Force," said the native of Appleton, Wis. "Our job is extremely critical. On the flightline we are protecting resources that are meant to go downrange to help the war efforts. The gates are a huge deterrent for anybody trying to gain unauthorized entry onto base. We are also protecting our base populace from things like domestic incidents, people who are driving while intoxicated and active shooters."

"I like that we are there for the base. We are the ones people call when they need help. They know we will be there for them no matter what time or day it is," he added with a smile.

Members of security forces carry various types of equipment to properly perform their job to include items like handcuffs, seat belt cutters, a handheld radio, a flashlight, a whistle, a primary weapon which can be an M-4 pistol or an M-9 rifle, and a secondary weapon which can be an ASP baton, oleoresin capsicum pepper spray or a taser. Items like their primary and secondary weapons require regular training to stay certified. Hildebrandt's job is to keep the squadron mission ready by making sure they stay up-to-date with their necessary training.

"I love that I get to work with everyone in the squadron because everyone is a cop and they are going to require that training no matter what," he said.

Hildebrandt has been a unit trainer since February 2013 and during that time he has prepared and led approximately 15 different trainings including training on use of force, domestic incidents, alarm response, and how to handling an active shooter and a gate runner.

"There is nothing negative I can say about this Airman," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Ross, 20th SFS unit trainer. "He is very professional and polite. He is a go-getter and proactive and is trying to become the best unit trainer that he can become. I'm changing stations and he is going to replace me. I am confident in his ability to fulfill this role successfully."

"Not all Airmen can get up in front of their peers and teach. He has a natural ability to teach and to capture his audience. You don't (normally) see that from young Airmen. He will take the time to study the material and practice so when he delivers to the audience he does it well," Ross continued.

Along with Hildebrandt's dedication to his work, Ross was impressed by his work ethic and spoke highly of him.

"He defines 'service before self'," he praised. "A majority of the younger Airmen would complain about having to stay late because they have other things they would like to do and want to hang with their friends. Hildebrandt will stay as late as needed without one complaint."

Before becoming the unit trainer, Hildebrandt has also served in other roles for security forces which has really "opened his eyes to the big picture of what 20th SFS does and how they affect Shaw's mission."

"Security forces is very versatile," he said. "You can do so many different things in this career field like going to K-9, Combat Arms, or become an instructor at the Security Forces' tech school. It is ever changing and you are never stuck in one role if you don't want to be."

During Hildebrandt's four years in security forces, he has worked as an entry controller, a patrolman, and as flightline security in addition to assisting the 20th SFS Military Working Dogs Section with aggressor training and kennel maintenance.

When members of security forces are assigned to protect the gate or the flightline or to patrol the base, they spend more than eight hours on shift in addition to the time it takes to prepare and gear up for their shift and return their equipment afterwards.

"You arrive an hour before your shift starts and go to the armory to get your designated weapon, whether it is the M-9 pistol or M-4 rifle or both. Then you get your secondary use of force, a handheld radio and handcuffs. Afterwards your flight chief will brief you on what happened on the pervious shifts so you are well informed going out."

Things that happened on pervious shifts that they need to be aware of include traffic accidents, speed limit changes, road or gate closures and other similar updates.

While on duty, Hildebrandt and the other members of security forces enforce standards of conduct and discipline along with state, military and federal laws. They respond to medical emergencies, alert notifications and traffic accidents around base and are the first responders to any incidents.

"Enforcing laws is important because it affects the safety (of everyone)," Hildebrandt said. "If you didn't have laws, people would just do whatever they want whenever they want and the mission would be affected greatly. Injuries, fatalities and damages to government properties are going to go up. The trust, security and sense of safety we all have will go out the window."

In addition to fulfilling his responsibilities as a member of security forces, Hildebrandt also volunteers in his spare time.

Not only has he donated money to the Combined Federal Campaign and the Aids Research Foundation, he also assisted in raising $1,800 when he participated in the Tough Mudder and the proceeds will go to the Wounded Warriors Project. In addition, Hildebrandt has volunteered multiple hours at Habitat for Humanity and supported the Defenders Association by volunteering at various fundraisers, cookouts and events.

"He is a huge volunteer," Ross said. "He is also very quiet and humble and doesn't talk about himself, so you wouldn't know what he has done unless you sat down and asked him."

Training the defenders