Auxiliary Security Force adds new members at Dahlgren

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Auxiliary Security Force adds new members at Dahlgren

E-Mail This Article

Print This Story

By Jeron Hayes

A new class of Auxiliary Security Force members graduated on Friday at NSF Dahlgren.

A graduation ceremony was held Friday at the Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren police department for 14 graduates of the Auxiliary Security Force (ASF) Academy.

The two-week course provided attendees with training in several areas, including watch standing procedures, search and seizure, vehicle inspections, tactical team movements, crowd control, traffic control and weapons courses.

The ASF members will be called on in heightened threat conditions to augment various security functions. Members also currently stand obligated duty requirements twice a month and attend training sessions monthly.

‘‘I’m pleased to see my brothers and sisters at arms here today, and I appreciate your service,” said Capt. Catie Hanft, Commanding Officer, Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP). ‘‘We certainly can’t do this without you. It’s a team effort, and we look forward to keeping your training current and even advanced,” said Hanft.

‘‘Please go back to your commands and thank them for contributing to this critical function,” said Dave Fredrickson, N3I Operations Director for NSASP. ‘‘We couldn’t do this without their cooperation.” The ASF currently has members from Aegis Training and Readiness Center (ATRC), Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC), Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) and NSASP.

After lauding the graduates on their success, Fredrickson added, ‘‘Your training doesn’t stop here. This is the nuts and bolts of it, but we’ll continue to provide training and you’ll be working with our police officers as well and you’ll become more proficient,” said Fredrickson. ASF members receive continuous training on law enforcement techniques and emergency vehicle operation.

Capt. Brian Flanagan, NSASP police training coordinator, added that, ‘‘We also have a few individuals that were students in this academy who are assigned permanently to the security force at NSASP (both Dahlgren and Indian Head). Those folks include various Navy rates to include Culinary Specialists, Builders and a civilian police officer.”

Frederickson commended Master at Arms Second Class Reginald Edlow as well as Flanagan and Capt. Stephen Mullen for coordinating the course and supervising training. “Flanagan, Edlow and Mullen did an outstanding job. These are good police officers and you should look forward to working with them,“ Fredrickson told the class.

Flanagan added, ‘‘A special thanks to Sgt. Melvin Johnson and Cpl. James Phimmasone from the Dahlgren police department for their assistance with the academy. These officers volunteered to come in and instruct several classes,” said Flanagan.

An outstanding sharpshooter award was given to Fire Controlman Second Class Chris Standridge. Academic achievement awards went to Fire Controlman First Class David Mason and Fire Controlman Second Class Phillip Wiggins.

Auxiliary Security Force Academy graduates: