Air Force Security Forces

Stored: Air Force Security Forces

Air Force Security Forces
Type:	Military Law Enforcement and Security Force
Parent organization:	Air Force
Top organization:	Department of the Air Force
Employees:	38000
Executive:	Director of Security Forces
Budget:
Address:	1340 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1340
Website:	https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104536/security-forces/
Creation Legislation:	National Security Act of 1947
Wikipedia:	Air Force Security Forces

Air Force Security Forces

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Mission
To protect, defend, and fight by securing Air Force installations, aircraft, nuclear weapons, and personnel worldwide, ensuring combat readiness and mission success through integrated defense and law enforcement operations.

Services
Base Security; Nuclear Security; Law Enforcement; Combat Arms Training; Force Protection

Regulations
Air Force Instruction 31-101

United States Air Force Security Forces (AFSF) is the military police and security arm of the U.S. Air Force, with approximately 38,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel, responsible for safeguarding bases, aircraft, nuclear assets, and Airmen across 175 installations worldwide.

Official Site

Mission

The Air Force Security Forces aim to ensure the Air Force can fly, fight, and win by providing integrated defense against threats, securing critical assets like nuclear weapons and aircraft, enforcing law and order on installations, and training Airmen in combat arms skills. They operate in both peacetime and combat environments, protecting over 1.5 million personnel and billions in infrastructure.

Parent organization

The AFSF operates under the United States Air Force, within the Department of the Air Force, reporting through the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection (AF/A4S) for policy and oversight.

Legislation

The AFSF was established as part of the U.S. Air Force under the National Security Act of 1947, signed September 18, 1947, evolving from the Army Air Forces’ Military Police into a distinct security force by January 1, 1948.

Partners

Air National Guard Security Forces for reserve support
Department of Defense agencies (e.g., DIA) for joint security
Local law enforcement for off-base coordination

Number of employees

The AFSF comprises approximately 38,000 personnel as of 2025, including 25,000 active-duty Defenders, plus Air National Guard, Reserve, and civilian augmentees, per Air Force estimates, spread across global installations.

Organization structure

The AFSF is structured under Air Force headquarters with operational units:

Leader

The Security Forces are overseen by the Director of Security Forces, currently Brigadier General Roy W. Collins as of 2025, within AF/A4S at the Pentagon.

Divisions

The structure includes:

Base Security Squadrons for installation defense (175 units).
Nuclear Security Units for missile and bomber protection.
Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) for weapons training.

List of programs

Integrated Defense Program
Nuclear Security Operations
Law Enforcement and Corrections Services

Last total enacted budget

The AFSF’s specific budget is not isolated; it’s funded within the Air Force’s FY 2024 budget of $185.1 billion, supporting personnel, equipment (e.g., M4 carbines, JLTVs), and training, though exact allocations are not publicly detailed.

Staff

The 38,000-strong AFSF includes Defenders (active-duty AFSC 3P0X1), Guardsmen, Reservists, and civilians, trained at Lackland AFB’s Security Forces Academy in skills like firearms (M9, M4), tactics, and law enforcement, with specialists in nuclear security and K9 units.

Funding

Since 1948, the AFSF has been funded through Air Force appropriations under Title 10 U.S.C., with FY 2024’s $185.1 billion budget supporting its operations, equipment upgrades (e.g., Joint Light Tactical Vehicles in 2025), and training programs.

Services provided

The AFSF secures 175 bases, protects nuclear assets (e.g., Minuteman III ICBMs), conducts law enforcement (e.g., traffic, crime response), trains over 250,000 Airmen annually in weapons use, and deploys combat-ready Defenders to support missions like Operation Inherent Resolve.

Regulations overseen

The AFSF operates under Air Force Instruction 31-101 (Integrated Defense), governing security operations, nuclear protection, and law enforcement standards across installations.

Headquarters address

1340 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1340

History

Originating as Military Police under the Army Air Forces, the AFSF was formalized on January 1, 1948, post-National Security Act of 1947, transitioning to “Air Police” (1948-1966), then “Security Police” (1966-1997), and renamed Security Forces in 1997 to reflect its expanded combat role. Key milestones include nuclear security post-Cold War and post-9/11 base defense enhancements.

External links

References