A Special Presentation From Hahn's 50th K-9 Section!
History Of The United States Air Force's
Peace Keepers' Badge & Beret.
MP...............AP...............SP .............SF
..1947............1948............1966..........Present
Security Forces Prayer
Lord,
you have called us to be
guardians of a nation founded
on Your principles.
Whatever our tasks
as Security Force men and women,
we do them to serve You
and our nation.
We are proud
to accept the responsibility
of this high calling.
We dedicate ourselves
to our vocation, and ask
for guidance and courage in aiding
our people to live with dignity,
in safety and peace.
We know that security comes
from Your presence,
so we pray with the Psalmist:
You bless those who obey
You, Lord;
Your love protects them
like a shield. Use us, O Lord,
as shields for your people,
reflecting Your security
and peace.
Amen
History Of The Air Police Badge
In September 1947, the US Air Force was made a separate and distinct member of the Department of Armed Forces. Up to that time the air systems inventory had been known as the US Army Air Force. These aircraft were protected by guard elements of airdrome or air base squadrons. In many cases "guard" was a detail or extra duty and not a full-time job These squadrons were to be transferred to US Air Force control by December 1948, although in many cases this was preempted by the Korean War and transfer was not complete until 1953. Consequently, many Air Police or Air Base Group guard squadrons still contained many MPs.
The Air Police squadrons had brassards similar to the MPs, except neither as attractive nor well known. They were gray with blue lettering. They were difficult to keep about the elbow and often fell down around the shirt cuff. The Air Policemen and their officers did not like them and as early as 1952 began asking IG headquarters for an appropriate badge similar to civilian law enforcement agencies and the military police. But not only did USAF headquarters refuse, they adamantly opposed the idea of an Air Police badge as it seemed to give the Air Policemen authority that rightfully belonged to commanders.
But the Air Police kept up their barrage of requests, and in many cases, invented their own badges. In Japan, one squadron had badges made by a trophy shop, and in the Philippines, local vendors made Air Police badges from soda cans. Repeated prohibitions appear to have been issued by the AF/IG, indicating the amount of disagreement with the Air Force policy of the day. Late in 1954, or 1955, Air Force made a token adjustment and made the brassard "more attractive" by changing the colors to bright blue orange lettering. Meanwhile, the Air Policeman 's nightstick was his symbol of authority and the image thus conveyed helped to influence Air Force headquarters.
In May 1957, Air Force finally approved a trial issue of an Air Police badge. The tentative design was done by Mr. Thomas H. Jones, creator of many WWII awards and the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. It was a 3"x 1/2" oval of oxidized silver with a blue enameled AF Shield in the center. Instead of the conventional civilian police design, the Air Police badge was round surmounted by a spread eagle on a cloud bank. At the top were letters "Air Police" and around the inner rim appears "Dept. of the Air Force, United States of America". The spread eagle on a cloud design is very similar to the design of the Air Force Distinguished Service Cross, which Mr. Jones also worked on about that time. Later, it was used on other AF badges like that of the fire department. The tentative design was produced in 400 copies and distributed to MATS, SAC, and USAFE for testing.
Almost two years later, in1959, HQ/USAF Inspector General was finally able to approve a badge for the Air Police. Of course, there was a formal ceremony almost everywhere, but the Air Police badge was presented by General Curtis E. LeMay, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, to Brigadier General R.F. Burnham, then Air Force Provost Marshal.
Each badge had a stamped serial number. Apparently, there still existed a feeling that Air Policemen would abuse the power and privilege of a badge. Thus, the Badges were issued at the beginning and turned in at the end of each tour of duty and remained accountable unit property.
Air Police commanders accepted this, and many warnings were issued about that time. The Air Police were proud of the badge it had taken 12 years to earn.
Later, around 1960, the blue enamel was removed because it chipped easily becoming worn looking in a short period of time. Also that year, AP instructors began to wear a metal attachment indicating their current job at the Air Police training center.
By June 1962, complaints from field units and expense of issue caused new badges to be produced of silverplate instead of oxidized silver. A pin replaced the clasp.
The badge was reissued in 1966 after the career field name was changed to Security Police. This time the product was of cheaper material as the Security Police force was again expanding to meet wartime needs.
Sometime in the 70's, cloth badges became official for wear with the fatigue uniform. Still later around 1979, camouflaged badges were produced for subdued uniforms.
After many years of competing with OSI and repeated prohibitions against trying to investigate crimes when Security Police should have been preparing for combat, a badge holder was authorized in 1980 for use when SP investigators wear plain clothes performing official duties. Between 1975 and 1980, SP participation in "professional" law enforcement became acceptable and was palatable to Air Force officials.
Another change came in the 1980's, when the use of the miniature badge for women's uniforms came into effect.
The first use of leather name tags with the embossed shield was during the Gulf War, "Operation Desert Shield / Storm" in 1991 - 1992.
 The AFSPA's Security Forces MemorialStatue At The USAF Museum, 2001
Keepers Of The Peace!
I've embraced the cold mounds of earth, walked unyielding concrete, and crawled the muddy entrenchments of two major conflicts.
Skyward I've looked and joined fire team members praying for deliverance. Endured the eternity of past time, personal inconveniences, exhaustion, and a frequently critical society.
I've had too much time; peacetime, wartime, work time, zulu time, and protected time. Time directs me, restricts me, eludes me and heals me. Time is my mentor.
Standing alone, I've chased shadows, reacted to mind, feared death, nurtured the unknown, and recounted last sunsets.
On and ever forward, I've patrolled with rifle in hand and radio so cold. Forgotten by time and praying for the opportunity to grow old.
I've survived personal equipment additives, metamorphic standards, innocuous experts, intolerant sensor systems, and family seperations.
I've shared a silent farewell and an unwelcome tear as I folded a falling star into a field of blue on a remote cemetary mall.
I've maintained a solitary vigil. My comfort in rain, snow and heat is the sight of our aircraft climbing into the heavens, the U.S. Flag waving proudly, and the ability to convey a "Sierra Hotel" to the sentinel assuming my position as the "keeper of the peace" who never sleeps.
I am a security policeman.
Author Unknown
History Of The Security Police Beret
The beret is a symbol of achievement and recognition. Many elite groups within other branches of military service have adopted the beret for this same reason. No matter what the color or insignia, the beret has been the trademark that identifies a particular group as being special and apart from the average military soldier, sailor, or airman.
The roots of the Security Police beret arc often traced back to the 1041st Security Police Squadron (Test) and "Operation Safeside" during 1965-67. The mission of the Air Police was changing, and this specially trained Task Force adopted a light blue beret with a Falcon patch as their symbol. It can only be speculated as to whether the idea came from the Army Ranger beret, since the initial cadre of the 10415' SPS received it* initial training at the Army Ranger School. The 1041st SPS evolved into the 82nd Combat Security Police Wing, but was deactivated in December 1968, thus bringing an end to the light blue beret with the falcon emblem.
Although the beret was not an authorized uniform item for Security Police work, several local commanders authorized a dark blue beret for their units even though the official Security Police cover remained the white service cap. In the early 70's, Military Working Dog handlers assigned to the 6280th SPS, Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, wore a dark blue beret with no insignia. The other members of the unit wore fatigue caps and the "jungle bonny" style hat. Again, the beret was distinguishing a specific group of specialized personnel. Other Units adopted a version of the beret to distinguish their elite guards.
When Brigadier General (Major General select) Thomas Sadler was appointed Air Force Chief of Security Police and the two symbol AF/SP office was created in 1975, the Security Police had arrived. The General 's task was to bring the Security Police into the mainstream of the Air Force and one of the tools for doing that was recognition—recognition of deeds as well as members of a distinctive and highly recognizable career field. The beret was one of the proposed uniform changes that had been being considered. Although there was significant opposition to the beret initially from senior colonels and MAJCOM Chiefs, the troops loved the idea, and that's what is was all about. Several months later the uniform board approved the proposal, and the beret was officially being worn world-wide in 1976.
The dark blue beret of 1976 was worn with the AL4JCOM crest of the appropriate major command the unit was assigned to. It continued this way for twenty years until the forming of the Security Forces in early 1997. In March 1997, the 82nd CSPW was reactivated and redesigned the 820th Security Forces Group. It provides worldwide first in force protection for Air Force contingencies. The 820th SFG also adopted the heraldry of the 82nd CSPW, thus explaining the falcon's revival as the emblem for the Security Forces, with the addition of the motto "Defensor Fortis" on the scroll.
SiteBuilder's Note: Dark blue berets were first worn within the Air Force, by SAC's Luper's Troopers security units, in the early fifties; these units were trained at the Army's Ranger School, at Camp Carson and were based upon the RAF's WW-II Infantry Regiments. Authorized only by SAC.
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