An inside look at the Mountain Home Air Force Base security

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — If you’ve driven past Mountain Home, you’re probably familiar with the Mountain Home Air Force Base out there.

Before anyone can enter the Mountain Home Air Force Base, they have to first get past the gate. Here Air Force security check IDs to make sure the proper people are allowed on base. This includes current and former military, but also those being escorted by a qualified person. But Technical Sergeant Jordan Ragan said they also screen for other things.

“They are looking for any known weaponry, intoxication, screening personnel for any known or potential hostile acts,” Technical Sgt. Ragan said.

These security forces are always alert, having a command center that functions as their very own 911 call center, ready to respond to any incidents on or around the base.

Staff Sergeant Kacie McCann, who runs the armory, said they make sure they get the proper training so they properly use their equipment for any situation.

“There is training with our combat arms section that they go to get qualified on our different weapon systems. It’s a rigorous course of firing that kinda covers everything that they need to know to utilize the weapon, safety of the weapon and how to properly shoot the weapon,” Staff Sgt. McCann said.

The training they receive is versatile, allowing them use the skills both on the base, but also on deployment.

“Everybody is trained so if a situation happens, everybody knows the same thing that needs to be done and completed and there will be no questions if you know different training happens,” Sgt. McCann said.

Another important element of security at the base is their K9 unit.

“We do detection training which is them searching out different substances that they are trained to find,” Sergeant Roland Garcia said.

They train them to find drugs, bombs, but also help restrain suspects. Sgt. Garcia added they also train the handlers how to work with the dogs in combat situations. This mostly involves them trying to stay calm under pressure.

Sgt. Garcia said they also work with local and federal law enforcement K-9 units. This allows them to share advice and training tips amongst each other, benefitting both parties.

“There’s some continuity, we know each other, so if we have to respond on base we know the people that we are working along with and we can develop a plan to best execute whatever the situation may be,” Sgt. Garcia said.

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