188th Security Forces balances daily defense with combat readiness

188th Wing:

"EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. — Protecting an installation requires more than a visible security presence. It takes constant preparation, coordination, and the ability to respond when conditions change. For the 188th Security Forces Squadron, those responsibilities continue around the clock, even as the Wing prepares for its upcoming Combat Readiness Exercise.

“Most people see a Defender standing post, checking IDs, or out on patrol,” said Maj. Nathan Sosebee, the 188th Security Forces Squadron commander. “What they don’t see is the significant amount of preparation required before that Defender ever assumes duty. Every shift involves personnel accountability, weapons and equipment inspections, intelligence and threat briefings, post assignments, communication checks, and coordination of security requirements.”

Security Forces protects personnel, critical resources, and the installation's ability to generate combat power. The mission continues 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of holidays, weather, or competing Wing requirements. Defenders must be prepared to transition from routine access control to a potentially life-threatening incident without hesitation.

That readiness extends beyond the Security Forces Squadron itself. By maintaining a constant security presence, Defenders allow other units to concentrate on their responsibilities and support the Wing's overall mission. “My work supports the other missions on base by providing constant security so that everyone else is able to focus on the work they need to get done for overall mission success,” said Staff Sgt. Alexander Gregory, a Security Forces Defender and marksmanship team coordinator.

As the 188th Wing prepares for the Combat Readiness Exercise in January, the squadron is shifting its training focus toward validating its ability to defend the installation in a simulated contested environment. However, that shift does not lessen its responsibility to maintain everyday security.

“During normal operations, our Defenders maintain a constant security posture while responding to emerging incidents,” said Sosebee. “During the CRE, we will be challenged to demonstrate our ability to operate under increased threats, compressed decision timelines, and potentially degraded operating conditions. Importantly, the exercise does not replace our real-world mission.”

While individual proficiency is important, Sosebee said the squadron's preparation also emphasizes how Defenders operate together under pressure. Training focuses on weapons handling, tactical movement, communications, threat identification, use-of-force decision-making, and immediate actions. The squadron is reviewing tactics, techniques, and procedures; validating individual and team proficiency; conducting battle drills; and ensuring Defenders understand their roles within the installation defense structure.

“Security Forces cannot accomplish the installation defense mission independently,” said Sosebee. “Ultimately, installation defense is a Wing responsibility. Security Forces provides a critical component of that defense, but success requires a coordinated effort across the entire organization.”

Sosebee said successful performance during the CRE would demonstrate Defenders ability to operate as a cohesive team, protecting critical resources, responding to simulated threats, and supporting the Wing's objectives. That means disciplined execution, effective communication, sound tactical decisions, and junior leaders exercising initiative as conditions change.

“An exercise that reveals deficiencies is not necessarily an unsuccessful exercise,” he said. “Those findings provide opportunities to improve readiness before we encounter similar challenges in a real-world contingency. Ultimately, success is not measured solely by how well we perform during the exercise. It is measured by how much more capable and prepared our squadron becomes because of it.”