Base defenders past and present reunite

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sandra Marrero
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Members of the 820th Base Defense Group and Veterans of its precursor, Operation Safeside came together at the biannual Safeside Reunion, held at Moody Air Force Base May 15 through 18.

The original members of this security forces unit were tasked with going outside the wire to provide base defense during the Vietnam War, just as the 820th BDG does today during Operation Enduring Freedom.

"Every time we come down here the guys treat us extremely well," said Alan Fox, a former mortar crewman during Operation Safeside. "They always ask questions. I think they appreciate us a lot and understand what we did."

The Airmen at the reunion expressed the impact that Operation Safeside had on the identity of the 820th BDG.

"I really wanted to come to the 820th back in tech school," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jeffery Camire, 823d Base Defense Squadron fireteam member. "It's just important for people to know and remember the history of Vietnam and basically where my job came from."

Just as the younger airmen expressed excitement about speaking with their counterparts, the Vietnam Veterans shared their enthusiasm.

"I like coming down here to reconnect with these guys to make sure they don't lose sight of what they're about and where they came from," said Fox.

The younger generation had the chance to demonstrate their skills and show how the Safeside legacy is being carried on. The activities included traversing a counter improvised explosive device lane, a weapons puzzle, and a shoot, move and communicate demonstration.

The veterans noted that throughout the years, there have been changes in training and the execution of the mission.

"They've taken it to a level I never thought I would see," said Daniel Gehm, a rifle gunner during Operation Safeside.

Fox said that the 820th BDG has expanded their abilities and that the training is now geared toward the desert environment to which Airmen are being deployed.

"Other than that, the basic type training...is probably pretty close," added Fox.

Since Operation Safeside's inception in the 1960s there have been some changes to the way things operate. But at the reunion, what stood out is what some would consider the common bond of all who serve.