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20th SFS Airmen train for customs checks

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Security Force Squadron held a Military Customs Inspector class here, April 28.

The class, taught by customs inspectors from Columbia, South Carolina, teaches 20th SFS Airmen to perform customs checks on military members and aircraft that are coming from foreign locations.

"Unlike many bases which share a joint airport or have one in close proximity, Shaw is unique in that the closest Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol personnel are located in Columbia, S.C.," Staff Sgt. Latoya Copes, 20th SFS operations support. "With the sporadic nature of airflow, no matter what time an aircraft arrives here, certified MCI security forces personnel are always on duty and can properly clear the aircraft." 

When clearing military aircraft and personnel, security forces members are checking for any prohibited or restricted items such as alcohol, drugs, weapons, or plants that service members might have attempted to bring back.

"On average, security forces members perform customs inspections on approximately 50 inbound aircraft per year at Shaw," said Copes.

While military members returning home may be longing to be with their family, MCIs still have to perform inspections of the aircraft and personnel to ensure safety of the base.

"Security forces personnel understand that most returning Airmen and Soldiers have been gone for upwards of six months and are excited to be home," said Copes. "The MCI's are able to expedite procedures with additional manpower for processing and secondary searches, reducing customs screening from traditional airports by more than 50 percent."

The security forces members know this, and they work as fast and efficiently as they can to make it happen.

"MCI certified SFS Airmen are able to conduct the customs inspections proficiently in an expedited manner so that Airmen can go see their families," said Lt. Col. S. Nathan Puwalowski, 20th SFS commander.

Customs inspections are not always needed on Shaw, but when they are, the 20th SFS has Airmen qualified and ready to meet the mission requirements.

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20th SFS Airmen train for customs checks

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Security Force Squadron held a Military Customs Inspector class here, April 28.

The class, taught by customs inspectors from Columbia, South Carolina, teaches 20th SFS Airmen to perform customs checks on military members and aircraft that are coming from foreign locations.

"Unlike many bases which share a joint airport or have one in close proximity, Shaw is unique in that the closest Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol personnel are located in Columbia, S.C.," Staff Sgt. Latoya Copes, 20th SFS operations support. "With the sporadic nature of airflow, no matter what time an aircraft arrives here, certified MCI security forces personnel are always on duty and can properly clear the aircraft." 

When clearing military aircraft and personnel, security forces members are checking for any prohibited or restricted items such as alcohol, drugs, weapons, or plants that service members might have attempted to bring back.

"On average, security forces members perform customs inspections on approximately 50 inbound aircraft per year at Shaw," said Copes.

While military members returning home may be longing to be with their family, MCIs still have to perform inspections of the aircraft and personnel to ensure safety of the base.

"Security forces personnel understand that most returning Airmen and Soldiers have been gone for upwards of six months and are excited to be home," said Copes. "The MCI's are able to expedite procedures with additional manpower for processing and secondary searches, reducing customs screening from traditional airports by more than 50 percent."

The security forces members know this, and they work as fast and efficiently as they can to make it happen.

"MCI certified SFS Airmen are able to conduct the customs inspections proficiently in an expedited manner so that Airmen can go see their families," said Lt. Col. S. Nathan Puwalowski, 20th SFS commander.

Customs inspections are not always needed on Shaw, but when they are, the 20th SFS has Airmen qualified and ready to meet the mission requirements.