KEEPING PEACE ON BASE FORCES DO MORE THAN WAVE CARS IN.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - Often the only glimpse the public has of the 95th Security Forces is the camouflage-clad airmen guarding Edwards Air Force Base's gates, but the unit does more than just check out incoming vehicles.

The unit provides security for buildings within the base; conducts law enforcement much in the same way as civilian police departments; and performs anti-terrorism work.

``A lot of the base perception and the local perception is that all we do is wave people through the gates,'' said Staff Sgt. Zachary Tyler, one of the base's security police. ``We want to let people know we do more than that.''

On Friday, the unit set up displays and conducted demonstrations of some of its work in front of the base exchange, Edwards' shopping center. The exhibits include a showcase of the technology used in the work, police dog demonstrations and a display of items people have tried to get through the base gates.

The display of confiscated items includes a variety of drugs and drug paraphernalia, knives, brass knuckles and a picture of a Uzi.

The most unusual thing someone tried to smuggle through the gates was a person. Someone tried to smuggle a friend onto the base inside a vehicle's trunk, but security forces were tipped off by someone who watched the man climbing into the space, said Tech. Sgt. James Morgan, one of the criminal investigators at the base.

There are roughly 275 security police personnel, counting reservists, National Guard members and civilians. At any given time, as many as 100 personnel will be deployed overseas, augmenting troops in such hot spots as Iraq and Afghanistan, or in meeting other overseas commitments.

Last February, about 100 National Guard personnel from the 1st Battalion/144th Field Artillery in Burbank came to Edwards to augment the security forces because of overseas deployments. Those troops were part of an agreement between the National Guard and the Air Force to provide about 8,000 soldiers to replace airmen being deployed overseas.

Because of the Army's own deployment requirements are growing, the National Guard troops are expected to leave Edwards in November.

The Air Force has requested reservists to volunteer to come back to active duty to help out. The Air Force is also considering bringing in contractor personnel to augment security forces.

One of the Air Force reservists who volunteered to help out is Tech. Sgt. Milan Morgan, a Santa Clarita resident. Originally part of a two-year call-up of troops by the president, Morgan recently volunteered for a 139-day active duty extension.

He decided to extend his service for financial reasons. His company, which sold advertising on ATMs, folded shortly after 9-11, and he is now looking for work in civilian law enforcement or with a security company.

``Hopefully I'll have something to go home to,'' Morgan said.

In the meantime, Morgan is working in the investigations unit at Edwards.

``We have everything from fraud, assaults, gang activity, drugs - you name it, we've got it at some level,'' Morgan said. ``Granted, we're not as busy as a civilian PD (police department) is going to be and the extent of the drug or gang problems is less than (with) civilians by a great measure.''

To assist with efforts to maintain base security, Edwards recently acquired some high-tech gear, including a device called RadarVision, which can detect motion through walls.

``It can X-ray through walls so security police know what they will encounter in making entry,'' said Sgt. Jason Cave. ``It gives the entry team an idea what's inside or what's in store when they enter.''

The base also recently acquired an explosives and narcotics detector.

``These types of technologies weren't available a few years ago,'' said 2nd Lt. Wilson Sagendorph, Edwards' anti-terrorism officer. ``This is going to provide a little security for us, the base, and the people here.''

The base's three-person anti-terrorism office assists with determining the placement of security barriers, makes sure proper security measures in place around Edwards, and assists with intelligence efforts and threats against the base.

``We want organizations to randomize their efforts so we're not so predictable,'' said Staff Sgt. Amanda Morgan, wife of James Morgan. ``It makes us more of a hard target.''

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Eddy, a 3-year-old German shepherd, top, is trained to attack. Above, Staff Sgt. Stacey Harrington uses the dog to look for simulated explosives.

(3) Staff Sgt. Zachary Tyler shows weapons and drug paraphernalia confiscated by the base's security forces.

(4) Officers stand by an M-240 B mounted on a vehicle at Edwards Air Force Base.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer