SFS shines at night

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Patrice Clarke
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  For many 39th Security Forces Squadron members 9 to 5 workdays does not apply. Their day begins around 5:30 p.m. and doesn't end until 7 a.m. the next morning. They are the members working the night shift here and though there is a slight downside to working nights, many of the members wouldn't have it any other way.

"I like the night shift," said Senior Airman Ronnie Seltun. "On the other shifts there is a lot more traffic in and out of the offices. During the night shift, there aren't that many people around and we can get the job done."

Getting the job done isn't the only objective of those working after dark. The night shift gives many of the Airmen the time to get more proficient at their craft.

"During the night shift, we usually conduct more exercises than the other shifts," said Staff Sgt. Troy Simchak, a security forces member temporarily assigned here from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. "The night shift is a perfect time to do these exercises because the many of the distractions of the day are gone."

For a married couple working the night shift together poses a different environment.

"I used to work days and wasn't seeing him that much," said Airman 1st Class Ashley Bailey. "We are now on the same shift and I see him a lot more."

"I have always worked nights and I like the setup," said Airman 1st Class Joshua Bailey. "I really wouldn't have it any other way."

It's not all sunshine, or lack there of, on the night shift. There are some setbacks working after dark.

"My days off aren't really days off," said Airman 1st Class Michael Finch. "Because we work so late, none of support functions, like the ODC, military personnel office and finance are open. I have to go to those places on my day off."

No matter the setbacks the 39th SFS night shift does what it takes to get the job done.

"This shift is made up of a lot of young Airmen," said Master Sgt. Edward Grant. "They have to juggle their personal life, along with qualification training, upgrade training, exercises and just learning their job. They do a great job of it."