KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. -- The 173rd Security Forces Squadron recently rolled out four new law enforcement patrol trucks which came in fully equipped and fit for service.
To strengthen an aging fleet, the 173rd SFS received four new 2017 Ford F150 trucks that came upgraded to the specifications required for security forces to perform their mission upon delivery. The vehicles also include enhanced technology features meant to increase safety and efficiency for officers.
“Typically in the past they did not come that way,” said Senior Master Sgt. Levi Clarey, 173rd SFS operations manager. “We would have to go find the money and have the all of the lights and sirens installed.”
Constant maintenance and costly repairs were needed to keep the dated vehicles mission ready for the demanding daily operations required of the trucks.
“Before the new vehicles came, security forces had five authorizations and every one of their trucks had over 100,000 miles them,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jimbo Childs, 173rd Logistics Readiness Squadron fleet management and analysis. “We have had to replace transmissions, and a couple of them were on their second and third motors. Getting these new trucks is going to take a work load off of us.”
The first three trucks arrived in December 2017 and the most recent in April 2018
“We have reliable vehicles and it raises morale,” said Clarey. “When you have something nice and new, the guys are happy and take care of it.”
“It feels good to come to work and be in a new vehicle,” said Gary McCool, 173rd SFS force protection officer.
In addition to the technology and hardware, the trucks also feature identifying graphics comparable to civilian law enforcement vehicles.
“The old ones didn’t have the police decals on them,” said McCool. “A lot of people just see us as security, but we do execute some law enforcement aspects.”
The old security forces trucks have been reassigned and utilized by various units across the wing.