MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- To assist with ongoing force protection measures, the Provost Marshal's Office requires the help of specially-trained service members from units aboard the Station.
Marines and Sailors assigned to the Auxiliary Security Force are temporarily relieved from their everyday jobs, given proper training and assigned to various posts around the Station.
"Auxiliary Security Force Marines are vital to Station security," said Staff Sgt. David Besancon, PMO watch commander. "Without them we would not have enough man power to guard the Station effectively."
Before taking on the task of guarding the Station, ASF Marines must complete a three-day training regimen, which includes classes on deadly force, Marine Corps martial arts and security awareness. To wrap up the training, the Marines qualify with their staple weapon - the Joint Services Combat Shotgun.
"The training builds a sense that you can handle anything that happens," said Lance Cpl. John McGarity, a combat photographer with Combat Visual Information Center currently assigned to ASF.
Along with the job of protecting the Station comes the daily tasks of checking identification cards of people entering the Station, assisting PMO in the search of vehicles and performing perimeter checks.
"We are here to assist PMO in any way necessary to keep this Station secure," said McGarity. "It's a lot of work, but it is well worth it knowing that the Station is protected."
Pfc. Stephen Pappalardo, military policeman, noted that the duties ASF Marines perform are greatly appreciated by PMO.
"They make our job a lot easier," he said. "I don't know where we would be without them."