Town patrol promotes good ambassadorship

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Michael Yurco stands watch as volunteers from the 35th Communications Squadron walk by local bars during town patrol Sept 6, 2008. Squadrons around base volunteer every week to augment security forces in their town patrol duties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Araceli Alarcon)

Town patrol promotes good ambassadorship

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Arturo Maloco, 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, receives a town patrol brief from Tech. Sgt. Alberto Aleman, 35th Security Forces Squadron, Sept. 13, 2008. During the brief, Captain Maloco was given guidelines on what he should and shouldn't do and what his role is during the patrol around Misawa City. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jamal D. Sutter)

Town patrol promotes good ambassadorship

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Tech. Sgt. Alberto Aleman, 35th Security Forces Squadron, and Capt. Arturo Maloco, 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, provide a highly visible presence on the streets of Misawa City during a town patrol Sept. 13, 2008. Town patrol is conducted on Friday and Saturday nights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jamal D. Sutter)

Town patrol promotes good ambassadorship

Published Dec. 24, 2008
By Master Sgt. Allison Day
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- When Department of Defense members and their families are assigned to locations in foreign countries it becomes extremely important for them to be good ambassadors in the community in which they live. Japan is no exception.

One program which helps to ensure members of Misawa Air Base are being good ambassadors is the Commander's Town Patrol Program.

"Those assigned to town patrol are given a briefing before the start of patrol," said Master Sgt. Lance Guedry, 35th Security Forces noncommissioned officer of Police Services. "Personnel who go with us are required to wear their uniform and they act in a non-law enforcement capacity deterring misconduct by anyone under the Status of Forces Agreement off base."

Town patrol is conducted every Friday and Saturday night and any other nights deemed necessary by the wing leadership according to Sergeant Guedry.

"Each week a squadron is assigned to town patrol duty," said Sergeant Guedry. "The commander, first sergeant and senior leadership of the assigned squadron patrols the downtown area with security forces personnel."

To ensure the success of this program a yearly calendar for town patrol is approved by the 35th Fighter Wing commander and then given to the various squadrons.

"Each senior leader with the opportunity to conduct town patrol is responsible for fostering a safe environment, preventing misconduct, and ensuring good order and discipline are maintained by SOFA personnel in the Misawa City area," said Sergeant Guedry.

Although town patrol focuses on personnel with SOFA status, it also has an equally important purpose.

"We assist local Japanese authorities as requested in dealing with SOFA personnel involved in any incidents downtown," said Sergeant Guedry. "Additionally, and as equally important, we identify, report, and react to Antiterrorism/Force Protection vulnerabilities/threats as needed."