SCOTIA, N.Y. - New York Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Anton Konev normally sits behind a computer, tracking the personnel records of the 109th Airlift Wing’s Airmen.
Konev and nine other 109th Airmen have a new qualification: augmentees to the 109th Security Forces Squadron.
The 10 Airmen took part in a special class Sept. 16-20 2024 that honed their marksmanship skills and taught them the roles for use of force.
It was training and a qualification he was happy to get, Konev said.
“Usually, I am sitting at a computer for my job. This gives me a different perspective and the ability to be more well-rounded as an Airman,” he said.
The new skills will also allow him to pull more duty time and enhance his Guard pay, said Konev, a personalist in the wing’s Force Support Squadron.
Security Forces Airmen assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, conducted the week-long course to train augmentees to equip them with the tools to operate effectively alongside full-time security forces personnel.
The course is a wing-driven program developed by the security forces squadron to backfill when needed.
Master Sgt. Jeremy Morey, the security forces day shift supervisor, said Airmen can volunteer to be part of the augmented force. The volunteers can be on call to support the unit during critical staffing shortages, ensuring mission readiness when it matters most.
“We are trying to build a backup defense force in case we (Security Forces) get called to larger operations,“ Morey said. “With the augmentee force, if we do have additional defenders pulled, the wing and these augmented defenders can cover down on day-to-day operations at the installation.”
During the five-day course, Airmen spend two days qualifying on the M18 and M4 rifles and three days focusing on use of force and day-to-day duties, including managing the front entrance gate and responding to emergencies on base.
Capt. Matt Begin, security forces officer, said the augmentee force is a one-year program with a required annual refresher.
Once certified, Airmen can volunteer for as much as they like.
Begin said there are short-term full-time employment opportunities or single annual training days available when additional staffing is needed.
“We are always looking for help and base defense is always our No. 1 priority when it comes to security forces. We are here to defend the resources and our assets to include our personnel,” Begin said.