Security forces: 100% security 100% of the time Published June 14, 2006 By 2nd Lt. Adam Yates 436th AW Mission Support Squadron DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Within minutes of Team Dover's first-ever C-5 mishap April 3, the 436th Security Forces Squadron began providing around-the-clock coverage to secure the mishap site. When Tech Sgt. Gregory Pendleton, 436th SFS flight chief, arrived at the scene, he immediately took charge of the situation. "When I arrived on scene, I met up with the fire chief and set up a cordon," said Sergeant Pendleton. "While doing so, two people from the downed plane approached me and I rendered first aid until medical personnel arrived." Sergeant Pendleton then helped coordinate recovery efforts, which included emergency teams from throughout Kent County. "I coordinated with local medical staff to ensure they had a site to land a helicopter and transport victims," he said. "I also contacted off-base fire chiefs and let them know when they could bring in water trucks, heavy equipment and vehicles." Meanwhile, Sergeant Pendleton's team established an entry control point, initiated a perimeter check and coordinated security procedures for 24-hour operations on site. Sergeant Pendleton said he never witnessed a better team effort than the one he witnessed the morning of the mishap. "In my opinion, I felt all agencies (on and off base) did a phenomenal job in responding and assisting at the site," he said. "I feel a great sense of pride in my job and in what we all do as first responders. It made my job a lot easier and my thanks go out to all who assisted in this incident." After the mishap, victims were transported to local hospitals and various response agencies began to leave the site; however, the role of Dover Air Force Base's security forces at the site continued. Day and night, the security forces on the ground protected the aircraft from unauthorized access for security and safety reasons. "For some members of the night shift, staring out into the dark watching for intruders could be a very discouraging task, but my troops have done an outstanding job," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Zapata, 436th SFS patrolman and night shift team leader for the mishap site. "Each night they (showed) up ready to work. They know their job, and they do it because protecting that aircraft is their number one priority." During crisis and normal operations, it's the security forces' mission to provide 100 percent security, 100 percent of the time.