OANG returns to civilian duties Published Jan. 22, 2007 By SSgt Amanda Mills Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Team Vance is invited to the 71st Security Forces Squadron's sendoff ceremony of 27 brothers-in-arms back to the civilian sector at 3:30 p.m. Monday in the auditorium. The 1120th Maintenance Company of the Oklahoma Army National Guard is demobilizing after two years of active duty service with Team Vance. "After Sept. 11 2001, the Air Force relied heavily on the Air Reserve Component to fill additional security requirements," said Capt Robert Rossi, 71st SFS commander. "In November '02, the U.S. Air Force made a deal with the Army National Guard to provide security at Air Force installations. Since then, Air Force bases around the world have benefited from ANG assistance." Although the two-year tour of duty officially ends in January, the unit is being sent to Fort Carson, Colo., this month to demobilize, Captain Rossi said. Because the members have been on active duty for two years, they will be given time to use any remaining leave accrued while activated and finish demobilizing before the mission officially ends in January '05. Captain Rossi said the unit did an incredible job during their time at Vance AFB. "The Oklahoma Army National Guard members of the 1120th Maintenance Company integrated so well that during our 2003 (Operational Readiness Inspection), the inspectors couldn't tell the difference between the Air Force and Army troops," Captain Rossi said. "What makes that even more incredible is that the 27 troops represent five different MOSs (military occupational specialties) -- the equivalent of our specialty codes -- most of which were not military police. They all trained and performed superbly as security forces members. I'm sad to see them go." Although some of the ANG members are ready to return to their normal lives, others don't want to go. "This has been a very challenging and meaningful mission, assisting with the security of the base and Team Vance personnel," said Army Sgt 1st Class Gene Brock, assistant platoon sergeant and B Flight Army NCO in charge. "It's been a great experience overall. The security forces members have taken us in as brothers, all in One Team, One Fight. They also allowed us to excel because we were able to assist them in so many of their achievements." Sergeant Brock will return to the Oklahoma military department as a full-time Guardsman. The departure of the unit does not mean security will decrease, the captain said. "We've reorganized our forces and developed new ways to do things, ensuring we maintain the highest level of security at Vance AFB," Captain Rossi said. "AETC (Air Education and Training Command) has also recently approved new contractor support which is scheduled to start in December. In addition to adding contract security, the 71st SFS has re-evaluated and realigned some of our security procedures to compensate for the loss of Army National Guard manpower. This will also help to reduce the need for READY augumentees."