Air Force innovator leaves legacy Published Sept. 20, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Jacob Morgan 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- In 10 years as an Air Force Security Forces member, Staff Sgt. Brandon Chapelo has served on such assignments as; a base closure team in Saudi Arabia, a tactical security element mine resistance ambush protection vehicle driver for the AF Office of Special Investigations and the NCO in charge of vehicle control for Dover Air Force Base, Del. However, one of his duties while overseas in 2009 was something a security forces member had never done before - electronic warfare technician. Chapelo, the first SF member to ever be trained in Counter Radio Controlled Roadside Bomb Electronic Warfare, or CREW for short, has learned how to effectively employ and utilize equipment, which prevents radio communication systems from reaching improvised explosive devices. Not only has he learned the duty, he is teaching it. Chapelo has written both standard operating procedures and operating instructions for training SF members on CREW. Typically in the AF, electronic warfare specialists are either aircraft maintainers or flying members. According to Chapelo, the AF didn't have ground electronic warfare training available until late 2009 in Iraq and early 2010 in Afghanistan. "The Air Force recognized the deficiency," said Chapelo. "What was recognized as a communications job is now an extra duty for security forces members overseas." For a long time in both countries, Air Force convoys had systems known as the 'magical green box.' The systems sent out signals to block detonation of roadside bombs, but if they broke down, no member of the convoy knew how to fix them, leaving the convoy potentially defenseless. The new AF training allows one member from each SF team going outside the wire to have the knowledge of the systems and how to maintain them. This member will be known as the CREW specialist. During his last deployment Chapelo was asked to extend for six-months to a year so he could help streamline both the systems the AF works with and train other members of SF. "The Air Force didn't have anyone trained to my level at the time of my rotation," said Chapelo. "I understood the serious need for proper training and utilization of the systems and I was proud to stay for an additional six months." His deployment was very eye-opening, said Chapelo. He had a lot of fun, and spending a year doing electronic warfare is what allowed him to continue his career in that direction. Unfortunately, the AF doesn't offer a ground electronic warfare specialty. However, the Army has recently created a specialty and that is exactly what Chapelo was looking for. "In December, I will be going to Warrant Officer Candidate School to become a 290-A, an electronic warfare technician," said Chapelo. "Potentially, I will be mixing a little bit of my SF background with the electronic warfare training I receive." He will undergo seven weeks of initial warrant officer training and then 16 weeks in his specialty. His job will be a more in-depth version of what he has already done on previous deployments as an electronic warfare trained SF member. "Joining at 17, I grew up in the AF," said Chapelo. "Security forces gave me structure and discipline, it's something I'll continue to expand on and use throught my career."