BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Of all the mission skillsets Office of Special Investigations special agents possess, arguably one of the most unique, is providing security for nuclear convoy teams.
Nuclear Convoy Support Agents from OSI Field Investigations Region 8 showcased their specialized mettle during the Air Force Global Strike Command’s Road Warrior 2021 (RW21) Exercise at Camp Guernsey, Wyo., Aug. 9-20, 2021.
Road Warrior is an annual three-week training event aimed at assessing Air Force nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missile transport security. It involves OSI teaming with Security Forces defenders, maintainers and helicopter units.
OSI teams from Detachment 805, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Det. 806, Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and Det. 813, Minot AFB, N.D., play an important role integrating into these nuclear convoy teams.
Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, defenders from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom were unable to attend this year.
On March 11, 2009, OSI assumed the Nuclear Convoy Mission from the U.S. Marshal Service. OSI has been participating in the AFGSC Road Warrior Exercise since October 2013.
However, OSI’s role in this MAJCOM exercise changed dramatically in 2021. The 8 FIR’s active involvement in the exercise planning sessions allowed for updates to previous static scenarios. These changes enabled agents to communicate with state and federal law enforcement authorities regarding field interviews, de-escalation techniques and civilian detention.
“The OSI teams performed brilliantly and adapted well to the new changes,” said Col. Seth Miller, 8 FIR Commander, during his visit to Camp Guernsey to witness RW21. “Our agents continue to be highly adaptable while executing a one-of-a-kind OSI mission.”
The ability to practice these perishable skills along with large kinetic scenarios would not have been possible without the support of a first-class facility at Camp Guernsey. The Air Force’s 90th Ground Combat Training Squadron provided access to the 78,000 acre facility, which made helicopter ingress and egress and large-scale tactical vehicle movements possible.
Lt. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, United States Strategic Command Deputy Commander, also attended this year’s exercise and lauded the work performed by the teams.
A second Road Warrior Exercise is scheduled for Oct. 23-30, 2021, at Ft. Harrison, Mont.