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MILITARYMATTERS AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION
NAVY SECURITY FORCES PROVIDE SAFE, SECURE ENVIRONMENT ONBOARD NAS PENSACOLA
BY JOSHUA COX
The Navy Security Forces (NSF) protect assets, service members and their families, civilian employees and visitors onboard NAS Pensacola and other local naval facilities.
The diverse team of law enforcement personnel here have a challenging mission that can change rapidly in response to policy changes, local force protection conditions and events on the installation.
“The unique nature of our mission at NAS Pensacola is to maintain an acceptable level of security while balancing the public access [for visitors] aboard the installation,” said NSF Deputy Security Director Ken Tillman. “NAS Pensacola is very much a part of the Pensacola community, and as someone who grew up here, I believe to an extent Pensacola residents claim a type of ownership and take great pride in the installation.”
Tillman said the NSF is responsible for NAS Pensacola, Corry Station, Saufley Field and Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area, and maintains agreements with Naval Hospital Pensacola and the Veterans Administration for police services in exigent circumstances.
“Our overall authorized end strength is approximately 160 personnel,” Tillman said. “Approximately half of those are active duty Navy, and the other half are civilian.”
Tillman said while the majority of the NSF personnel work in operations, many work in support roles such as in administration, training, investigations, armory and range operations, antiterrorism, supply, counter-unmanned aerial vehicle operations and physical security.
“The security department utilizes and maintains a vast array of equipment to perform the mission to include marked and unmarked vehicles, firearms, bullet resistant vests, radios, duty gear, night vision, and a fully operational firearms range which supports many local tenant commands and other law enforcement agencies,” he said.
The NSF continually trains to prepare for any threats to base assets and personnel.
“Our training mission remains a top priority and we have not slowed our tempo,” Tillman said.
In addition to our sustainment training such as domestic violence response, arrest and apprehension, crime scenes, search and seizure, rules of evidence, and more, we continue to have a robust exercise program including drills to prepare for potential protests, gate runners, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, and active shooter incidents, Tillman said.
COVID-19 has presented new challenges for the department, but the NSF is working to ensure daily operations continue to run efficiently during the pandemic.
“While our mission is unchanged, how we accomplish the mission has changed,” Tillman explained. “Like many of our law enforcement partners, our mission requires frequent, close contact with personnel. Many of our normal operations such as touching ID cards at the gate, or filling the waiting room at the visitor’s center have had to be adjusted. Additionally, the use of facial coverings, other personal protective equipment, and social distancing during shift briefings and training has become the new normal.” ment and proper sanitizing of vehicles, equipment and workspaces.
The NSF has been working to ensure personnel onboard NAS Pensacola are practicing smart health precautions in the wake of COVID-19. Tillman said personnel should follow guidance passed via the chain of command and medical professionals, and work on practicing social distancing in common areas.
“We have noted an increase in personnel gathering after hours in common areas of their lodging facilities and recreation areas and it has been challenging for our personnel to regulate,” Tillman said. “This practice should be halted until we get on the other side of this pandemic.”
The NSF has received several accolades in the past year, demonstrating the department’s outstanding proficiency and preparedness.
“Our most recent accomplishments are receiving the highest score on a regional inspection to ever be awarded by the Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) team in September 2019 and our K-9 kennel receiving the Kennel of the Year Award,” Tillman said.
Tillman said he is continually humbled to work with such a great group of personnel.
“They make me proud to be a part of this organization,” he said. “Whether in their performance in higher headquarters inspections and assessments, or their response to real-world events, their loyalty to their duties continually impresses me.”
Tillman said the NSF personnel work around the clock to meet a common goal.
“Whether personnel are visiting the installation or assigned here, it is our goal to provide a safe and secure environment to live, work or train,” he added.
NAS PENSACOLA PORT OPERATIONS CONTINUE AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC
BY JOSHUA COX
Many units and departments onboard NAS Pensacola safely continue operations despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The Port Operations Department has a mission to accomplish and has adapted along the way to combat the virus.
“The official mission of Port Operations is to service the craft that we have in port,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Sigarrie Nettles, NAS Pensacola Port Operations department head.
On a normal day at the pier, the Port Operations personnel welcome vessels and provide a vital service to ensure the ships can continue the mission.
“Right now we have Coast Guard Cutter Cypress, Dauntless and Decisive that are home-ported here,” Nettles said. We have more ships to come later on in the year, but we have three ships and those three ships are our priority right now, he added.
One of the missions for the department is to mitigate oil spills and ensure the water around NAS Pensacola isn’t impacted by the arrival and departures of vessels.
“We do oil spill response for the base for anything that is in the water,” Nettles explained. “The fire department usually handles everything for land, but if anything is in the water it’s our job to clean that up. We have three utility boats that we use mainly for the oil spill prevention, by putting the barriers around the ships as they come in port.”
Port Operations also maintains more than 100 exclusion buoys around the base. “If you drive down the street through the base you'll see all of the buoys that tell people to stand off — or where not to come in,” Nettles said. “We also have to periodically do maintenance on those.”
Nettles said the department has taken increased measures to combat the threat of COVID-19.
I have required everyone to wear a mask whenever they can't practice six feet social distancing, and we have one person dedicated every hour to go through and wipe down all the knobs and handrails to disinfect, Nettles said.
Nettles said he is the only active duty service member in the department, but works with two civil service personnel and about 30 contractors. “They are really enthusiastic about being here and I want to keep that feeling going,” Nettles said. Nettles said the work environment is outstanding around the port, and the team members have a commitment to excellence and their daily tasks.
“I love being here — I would stay here forever if I could,” Nettles added.
