AFTER DINNER SPEECH GIVEN BY: LT COLONEL WILLIAM H. WISE SR., USAF ON THE OCCASION OF THE DEACTIVATION OF THE 82ND CSP WING (TAC) FT CAMPBELL, KY It is not often that a man has the opportunity to eulogize an event or an era while the era is still fresh in the minds of the people who live it. The passing of time tends to make "wise" men of us all. We find time to reflect and criticize, think of better ways that things could have been done, and glorify or rationalize specific times and events that stand out in our memory. However, the era of which I speak tonight is still with us, although rapidly passing. It is an era that saw the creation and operation of the most effective local ground defense program in the history of the United States Air Force. It is also an era characterized by disappointment, frustration, disillusion, and long days and nights of hard work and, often times, of danger. It has been an era of little material reward or recognition for many of those who lived it. The era of USAF Operation SAFESIDE, as seen in the broad spectrum of Air Force history and operations, can be compared to the time of an individual's life on Earth. It is but a grain of sand in the hourglass, a millisecond in time. The impact of the individual during a normal life span cannot be accurately measured. Nevertheless, in his anonymous way, he does leave a mark on the world and on the people around him. And so it is, in my judgment, with USAF Operations SAFESIDE. It has left an impact on Air Force security operations -- an impact which may not be fully recognized, felt or appreciated for many years to come. Indeed, full recognition may never be given. But rest assured, an impact was made! An impact that may some day affect, not only our entire career field, but could well make an impression on future tactical air operations. Without a doubt, we have experienced some very tangible results and I am confident that many of us in this room will live to witness more direct influences as a result of our efforts to enhance USAF local ground defense defense capabilities and operations And so tonight, I ask you to share with me the brief life of the USAF Operations Safeside. How it was conceived by tactical necessity, born through the efforts of dedicated men, matured by experience and finally killed by economic reality. A USAF air base defense program was non-existent prior to 1950. It was conceived in fragments over the years starting with the Korean War. Since those days and during the time of the old Air Force Defense School at Parks Air Force Base, men with unusual foresight, and limited experience, continued to recognize the need for highly qualified, well-trained forces capable of conducting a variety of “infantry type” operations designed to provide for the defense of air bases located in war zones. The “Cold War” years presented little evidence that this type of unit would actually be needed. Still, many people in our career field, from staff officers to flight sergeants, continued to believe that a day would come when the Air Force and, specifically, the Air Police would be required to perform a ground combat role that they were completely unprepared to accept. Staff studies were conducted at various levels of command by interested individuals. Some of these studies recommended an expanded training program to prepare Air Policemen to accept a more active combat role. But these were the days that America set comfortably beneath its nuclear umbrella, convinced that our massive strategic deterrent would discourage any prospective enemy from attacking this nation or its treaty allies. Most of the recommendations for specifically trained Air Force ground combat units were either ignored or consigned to obscure files for future reference. Our initial involvement in Vietnam did little to change the tactical climate in favor of the proponents of active air base defense. Air Force Manual 207-1 continued to be the Bible of Air Force security operations and was employed in Vietnam in much the same manner as it was employed in the Continental United States. The so called "air base defense program" languished in this manner until a special catalyst was added to the situation: the acceptance of the major portion of the fighting war in Vietnam by the United States Armed Forces. At this point the, Viet Cong began to exploit the weaknesses inherent in our physical security program by executing carefully planned sapper raids and mortar attacks against our personnel and resources in Vietnam. These dramatic events began to give a certain inertia to a small group of officers at HQ USAF who recognized that the time was ripe to again push for an active air base defense program. The Air Police in country, at the time of the initial attacks on the RVN air bases, proved themselves to be individually courageous and tremendously resourceful. But tactical improvisation, no matter how brilliant, is no substitute for solid combat training. The Air Police were neither trained, organized, or equipped at that time to handle the combat role that they had been thrust into. With this in mind, a security survey was conduct throughout Southeast Asia in Vietnam, as well as, in Thailand in November 1965, just four short years ago this month. The survey report by this HQ USAF team was the beginning. It was at this point that our program was actually conceived in an official sense. At 2000 hours on Monday, 4 April 1966, The Chief of Staff, USAF, approved the concept and directed the formation of a special USAF project--the formation of special USAF test unit, and the selection of a group of very special USAF personnel to deal with and resolve the problems associated with the local ground defense of USAF resources located in hostile environments any-where in the world. Almost immediately, a team of three HQ USAF personnel began to collect the most important asset that this special test unit would ever possess: people! We interviewed and talked with personnel from throughout the Continental US and the Pacific area. Volunteers were also selected for initial training at the US Army Ranger School, Fort Benning, GA. From this large group of personnel, only a handful successfully completed Ranger training. Many of these personnel are here with us tonight. It will be to their everlasting credit that they found within themselves the physical and mental strength to overcome the handicap of attending one of the most difficult courses the US Armed Forces has to offer. This was accomplished completely without the required background to prepare them for what they had to face in the mountains of Georgia and the swamps of Florida. It was largely through their dedication and determination that we were able to get this program on its feet. On 1 September 1966, the 1041 USAF Security Police Squadron (TEST) was formed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and our program began to experience its first labor pains. We would not now delude ourselves into thinking that these labor pains were without complication. The formation and training of the 1041st were rife with problems, inexperience, and trial and error; but it was the truly remarkable collective personality of the unit that carried it past these rough spots. The fledgling 1041st was composed of men, students, and cadre alike, who firmly believed in the mission of the unit, and in the new concept--active defense measures to protect our air bases, personnel and resources. Men who understand that was not a gentleman's endeavor--men who also understood that you can not conduct a gentleman's training course to prepare men to wage war! Our unprecedented training program was beyond a doubt an experience of stress and risk for the individual: but we stood firm on the knowledge that we could not eliminate the elements of stress and risk in training, because we could not eliminate the elements of stress and risk in combat. Many of the students excelled in this training. Some found the adjustment extremely difficult, but not impossible. A few were unable to make the transition from Airman to Soldier in 16 short weeks. Those who successfully completed our initial training program welded themselves together into a team of single-minded purpose. Their ability as a unit was tested in many training operations in the Kahuku Mountains of Hawaii--by the way, they also conducted some extremely successful tactical operations in the more inhabited parts of the island; and so, we were the first military unit since WW II to fight its way across the broad Pacific. Our bare base test operations at Phu Cat Air Base, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, began a period of considerable frustration. Here we started the search for the labor inducing ingredient that would help give actual birth to what was to become the Combat Security Police Program. It was a time of obstruction and obstacles. During the first portion of the test, we were often unsure if the Viet Cong presented the greatest tactical threat. At times it seemed we were fighting the entire US Air Force, as well as the enemy. This frustrating period only served to confirm my strong feelings about the quality of the men and the validity of their training. Grimly determined to prove the tactics of active defense, these men continued to do their duty without wavering. I remember well the small groups of men in camouflage uniforms moving out of the base camp at dusk, dedicated to taking the night and the jungle away from the enemy. The results of the test at Phu Cat are well documented and need no further justification from me tonight. Whether the test at Phu Cat was ever fully evaluated and appreciated is purely an academic question at this stage in the life of the program. Captured enemy intelligence documents have provided the conclusive testimony, the true evaluation of our efforts. It was in Vietnam that we saw the actual birth of the active defense program, the fruition of the original conception. It was at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, that we saw our new infant program really struggle for its life. Many of us refer to this phase in the life of the unit as the "middle-of-nextmonth" phase. Further commitment and direction for the unit during this time was vague, indeed. All queries to higher headquarters on matters involving future programs, personnel, training, money, and permanent location usually resulted in the answer --"We'll know by the middle of next month"! Unfortunately, the "middle of next month" syndrome continues to plague us to this day. I have recurring nightmare that when I pass away and request entrance through the pearly gates, Saint Peter will say, "I'll let you know by the middle of next month"!! Ironically, it was the concentrated efforts of the enemy during the Tet Offensive of 1968 that injected new life into our program. I know that many of you here remember well the hectic move, TDY once again, to Hawaii. The sudden phenomenal growth of the program from an infant to a full-grown adolescent required a hurried transfusion of people. Once again we found ourselves most fortunate. Many of the people who joined the newly activated 82nd Combat Security Police Wing, the USAF Combat Security Police Training School at Schofield, did so under conditions of personal hardship. In spite of this handicap, they contributed to the mission in a manner that made them invaluable to us. Tonight I see many of those same faces in this room. The fact that you are here tonight serves as testimony of your outstanding contribution to this unit and its mission. However, it wasn't until we came here to Fort Campbell that our fast growing program began to reach maturity. After being rushed from pillar to post for two years or more, this unit finally had the opportunity to settle into a more or less semi-permanent location. Among our first goals upon arriving here was to begin work standardizing the Combat Security Police Training program. Unquestionably, each of you have played a vital role in this endeavor and you have give a great deal of "yourselves" toward the accomplishment of this important goal. Our instructors and the supporting staffs of the USAF Combat Security Police Training School, and each and every man assigned to the Wing Staff, without whose direction and support the training mission could not have been accomplished, have spent an uncommon number of weekends, holidays, and late evening hours working together toward the common goals. While it is not always prudent to single out one specific group of men, I nevertheless feel I would be remiss if I didn't mention the absolutely superior work and constant dedication to duty of our instructor staff. Long hours in the field, under all types of adverse weather conditions, constant revisions to lesson plans, and in many instances direct opposition to the program philosophy by student personnel are but a few examples of the frustrations connected with their duties. In spite of this, these men performed in the same sustained outstanding manner. The instructors represent the "guts" of the training program and it is amazing to me how so few were able to get so much accomplished. And now, we seem to have come full circle with "SAFESIDE". From its initial conception, its birth, growing pains, and final maturity. Tonight we are witnesses to a program that has almost reached its terminal stage in life. It is regrettable, indeed, that this program really began to experience its first wide acceptance within the Air Force at this stage of the game. Our people in Vietnam have clearly established a reputation for expertise in matters of local ground defense of Air Force installations. Their advice is constantly being sought in an attempt to improve the techniques, tactics, organization, and equipment involved in Southeast Asia security operations. Even foreign governments have indicated an interest in having their air base defense personnel trained by our school. Finally, the Tactical Air Control Systems personnel have been lavish in their praise of the training received here at Fort Campbell. I do not believe that it would be incorrect to say that the program has never been stronger from a training capability standpoint. However, it is an unfortunate fact of life that it takes money to operate any program and money has been the life blood of "SAFESIDE" as well. The elimination of this program for financial reasons is hardly unprecedented. Historically speaking, air base defense forces have often been among the first to feel the keen cutting edge of the sword of economy. Timing has always been our enemy--Unfavorable political climate or foe. We can only hope that there will be a day when the Air Force will recognize the real importance of sustaining a capability for local ground defense units for use with our tactical air capability in the hostile areas of the world. Throughout the course of my talk tonight, I have mentioned our "people" are our greatest asset. Sometimes during the course of an operation such as "SAFESIDE," with all the pressures of "selling a new product," we tend to overlook "all" of the people who have actively contributed to our mission accomplishment. In this regard I speak of all the wonderful wives, mothers, sweethearts, and yes, even children of the men of this organization. It is significant to note that most of our personnel are married, just as it was in the original unit. Many of your wives have been without your husbands for 19 months out of 24, especially those of you who have been in the program since the early days of September 1966. The overwhelming support you have rendered your husbands, our organization, and this program has always been a source of pride and inspiration to me, and I am sure to all the men of this unit. You have endured separations, panic moves, and privatizations far beyond that normally experienced by Air Force wives, and yet you continue to support all of us in this vitally important endeavor. You shall always have my deepest respect. Continuing to speak in terms of people, we must now stop to consider what benefits you as individuals have really accrued from your association with operation "SAFESIDE," Not material benefits nor the everlasting friends we have all developed over the past several years, but something much more complicated in terms of human values. You have met the challenge of combat training, the physical and mental stress of combat, and you have fought to see this program become successful to the bitter end. Soon you will depart with a gift of self-confidence and self-discipline that only a few men are fortunate to possess. I am sure you will recall that one of the more controversial aspects of our program has been the rigorous nature of the training that we have provided our squadrons. Our detractors have at times referred to the training as "brutal" and "degrading." But those of you who have successfully completed this same training and have trained others in the same manner, know that this training breeds self-confidence and discipline within the inner man. To meet the challenges of rugged individual combat training, to overcome physical, mental, and emotional stress to subordinate yourself for mission, to sacrifice comfort for conflict: These things are the noblest goals of any true soldier--In this regard you can truly be called "A damn fine soldier and you have proven yourself worthy of the name on many occasions. These are some of the confidence building attributes of the "professional soldier" and you will take these things with you when you leave this unit. I know the future is uncertain for most of you. I would be less than frank if I did not say that you will have a difficult period of readjustment ahead of you. You must turn your thoughts away from those things that could have been, and concentrate in things as they are. You must face reality. Most of you that are Security Policemen will return to normal Security Police duties and let me assure you that in spite of how you may feel at this moment, there are important missions waiting your support and enthusiastic participation. I have no doubt that you will excel in your future assignments--but you will do so because of the self-discipline I mentioned earlier. You will carry to these new duties an expertise and self-confidence that will make the job easier than it has ever been in the past. You have the ability and the experience; use it wisely, I urge you to put that ability to work for, not only the good of our career field and its many faceted missions, but for the good of yourselves and all of us who support and believe in you. And now, in closing, if I may be allowed--A personal note! Some day perhaps the Air Force will once again find itself unprepared to protect its people and resources in a hostile environment. There may be another crash program to organize, train, equip, and deploy a unit such as "SAFESIDE." In spite of all I've said here tonight, the frustration, the complications, the separations and the hard "in-fighting" it takes to make such a program succeed, given the same group of men, I would be compelled to do it all again. Thank you and God bless each of you.