820th Security Forces Group
Encyclopedia
The 820th Base Defense Group is a force protection
unit of the United States Air Force
currently based at Moody Air Force Base
, Georgia
. The group was activated in 1997 as an exceptionally trained force protection unit of 12 Air Force Specialty Code
s with an airborne
capability. At a moment's notice, the group provides the expeditionary Air Force's only worldwide deployable, "first-in", fully integrated, multidisciplined, highly qualified, self-sustaining force protection capability.
The Group has the following subordinate units:
820 BDG is composed of the 822, 823, 824 BDS. The 820th is different from other Security Forces Groups in that it is not on a rotational schedule also known as Air Expeditionary Force (AEF). The concept of the 820th BDG is to have a high operations tempo and be ready to deploy to any location at a moment's notice for extended periods of time. Falling under the 820th is the combat
operations squadron. Medics, engineers, and communication specialists all fall under the 820th COS.
There are many different Army and non-Army schools 820th airmen may attend, to include: Airborne, Pathfinder, Special Reaction Team, the Close Precision Engagement Course (CPEC), Ranger, Air Assault, Raven, Raven B UAV, Army Sniper, and EMT. Since its activation in 1997, the 820 BDG has deployed in support of Operations Desert Safeside, Southern Watch
, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Bright Star
. It has deployed to locations such as Iraq, Djibouti, Cairo
, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Hurricane Katrina (New Orleans), Haiti, and Pakistan.
It was a subordinate unit of the 23d Wing
, but in January 2008, the 820 BDG moved under the 93d Air Ground Operations Wing when the latter activated on 29 January 2008.
In August 2009 it was announced that Airmen from the New York Air National Guard
's 105th Security Forces Squadron from Stewart Air National Guard Base
will support the 820th with manpower for their deployments. Since then, Airmen from the 105th SFS have integrated with the 820th BDG for training and deployments.http://www.105aw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123171466
The 820th was redesignated from the 820th Security Forces Group to the 820th Base Defense Group in October 2010.
Force protection
Force protection or FP is a term used by the US military to describe preventive measures taken to mitigate hostile actions in specific areas or against a specific populous, usually Department of Defense personnel , resources, facilities, and critical information.-See also:*Pentagon Force Protection...
unit of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
currently based at Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Lowndes County and Lanier County, about northeast of Valdosta, Georgia, United States.Moody Air Force Base is home to the 23d Wing...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The group was activated in 1997 as an exceptionally trained force protection unit of 12 Air Force Specialty Code
Air Force Specialty Code
The Air Force Specialty Code is an alphanumeric code used by the United States Air Force to identify an Air Force Specialty . Officer AFSCs consist of four characters and enlisted AFSCs consist of five characters. A letter prefix or suffix may be used with an AFSC when more specific identification...
s with an airborne
Airborne
- Music :* Airbourne , an Australian hard rock band* Airborne , a jazz band based in Connecticut* Airborne * Airborne * Airborne...
capability. At a moment's notice, the group provides the expeditionary Air Force's only worldwide deployable, "first-in", fully integrated, multidisciplined, highly qualified, self-sustaining force protection capability.
The Group has the following subordinate units:
- 820th Combat Operations Squadronhttp://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Heraldry/AirForce/AirForceUnit.aspx?u=6196
- 822d Base Defense Squadronhttp://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Heraldry/AirForce/AirForceUnit.aspx?u=7137
- 823d Base Defense Squadronhttp://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Heraldry/AirForce/AirForceUnit.aspx?u=7144
- 824th Base Defense Squadronhttp://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Heraldry/AirForce/AirForceUnit.aspx?u=7145
820 BDG is composed of the 822, 823, 824 BDS. The 820th is different from other Security Forces Groups in that it is not on a rotational schedule also known as Air Expeditionary Force (AEF). The concept of the 820th BDG is to have a high operations tempo and be ready to deploy to any location at a moment's notice for extended periods of time. Falling under the 820th is the combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
operations squadron. Medics, engineers, and communication specialists all fall under the 820th COS.
There are many different Army and non-Army schools 820th airmen may attend, to include: Airborne, Pathfinder, Special Reaction Team, the Close Precision Engagement Course (CPEC), Ranger, Air Assault, Raven, Raven B UAV, Army Sniper, and EMT. Since its activation in 1997, the 820 BDG has deployed in support of Operations Desert Safeside, Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Bright Star
Operation Bright Star
Operation Bright Star is a series of biennial combined and joint training exercises led by American and Egyptian forces in Egypt. These exercises began in 1980. They are designed to strengthen ties between the Egyptian and American militaries and demonstrate and enhance the ability of the Americans...
. It has deployed to locations such as Iraq, Djibouti, Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Hurricane Katrina (New Orleans), Haiti, and Pakistan.
It was a subordinate unit of the 23d Wing
23d Wing
The 23d Wing is a front-line United States Air Force Air Combat Command wing currently assigned to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.-Mission:The mission of the 23d Wing is to organize, train and employ combat-ready A-10, HC-130 and HH-60, as well as pararescuemen and force protection assets...
, but in January 2008, the 820 BDG moved under the 93d Air Ground Operations Wing when the latter activated on 29 January 2008.
In August 2009 it was announced that Airmen from the New York Air National Guard
New York Air National Guard
The New York Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of New York. It is, along with the New York Army National Guard, an element of the New York National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as its state mission...
's 105th Security Forces Squadron from Stewart Air National Guard Base
Stewart Air National Guard Base
Stewart Air National Guard Base is the home of the 105th Airlift Wing , an Air Mobility Command -gained unit of the New York Air National Guard and "host" wing for the installation...
will support the 820th with manpower for their deployments. Since then, Airmen from the 105th SFS have integrated with the 820th BDG for training and deployments.http://www.105aw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123171466
The 820th was redesignated from the 820th Security Forces Group to the 820th Base Defense Group in October 2010.