Emergency Services Team: Key to base security

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wilson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The 39th Security Forces Squadron's Emergency Services Team is making its comeback after a lengthy hiatus. 

An EST is the Air Force's equivalent to a civilian special weapons and tactics team. 

"Emergency Services Teams have been around for a long time and they used to be at every Air Force base, but due to cut-backs a lot of bases now have agreements with local civilian special weapons and tactics teams in the United States," said Master Sgt. John Williams, 39th Security Forces Squadron EST noncommissioned officer in-charge. "This is why ESTs are more prevalent at overseas bases." 

While Incirlik previously had an EST, it had dwindled down to less than five Airmen in 2006. In July, Sergeant Williams was tasked to revive the team. 

"I thought it was vital we have an Emergency Services Team that is not only identified, but highly trained and exercised on a regular basis," said Capt. James Alves, 39 SFS operations officer. "This way, in the event we have to call them up, base leadership will have no hesitation in their utilization." 

From the beginning, Sergeant Williams' goal was to train the EST members to safely resolve any situation, with minimal injuries to those involved, and no injuries to the team.
Incirlik's EST trains once a month, for four consecutive days, to respond to a wide variety of incidents such as aircraft recapture, close-quarters combat, neutralizing a barricaded subject and hostage situations. 

A recent training scenario involved a simulated hostage situation in base housing. This exercise gave EST members hands-on experience with close-quarters combat, building entry, reconnaissance and other tactics. 

"Though it is hard to find time, we train for anything and everything that might happen on base," said Sergeant Williams. 

Airmen that want to join EST must adhere to high standards, and mentally and physically challenging try-outs, said Sergeant Williams. If they pass phase one of the tryouts, they proceed to phase two of the training, but ultimately the team members decides if the new recruit stays. 

Once a recruit has completed the initial tryout and is accepted, they are placed on a 90-day probation period. During this period, if a new member acquires unfavorable information or disciplinary action, he or she will be removed from the team. Even after the probation period is over, this type of information will most likely get Airmen removed from EST. 

"I got into EST because I was always interested in special weapons and tactics and this is the closest thing the Air Force has to it," said Airman 1st Class Christine Berrios, 39 SFS. "I like learning new law enforcement tactics and being part of a bigger team." 

When EST members are not participating in training, they carry out their regular jobs. Most Incirlik EST members are from the 39 SFS, however, there is currently an Airman from the 39th Maintenance Squadron who serves on the team. Regardless of what the members do on a daily basis, EST is always ready to respond when needed. 

"The security forces community stands watch twenty-four/seven," said Sergeant Williams. "No matter what incident occurs, security forces will respond and keep Incirlik safe."