Being vigilant, aware helps protect Kirtland

  • Published
  • By Taylor Lawrence
  • Kirtland Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Keeping Kirtland safe is a large task, but by being vigilant and aware, everyone can help protect the Kirtland community.

Security forces can't be everywhere at once so when something seems suspicious, it is important to call the Base Defense Operations Center at 846-7926.

"We encourage every Airman, whether they are active-duty, Guard, Reserve, civilian or dependant, to call the BDOC any time they notice something out of the ordinary. Everyone has the capability to act as a force multiplier in the defense of our base community," said Capt. William Smith, 377th Security Forces Squadron commander.

Trisa Hardin showed how beneficial staying alert can be when she noticed a suspicious looking young woman sitting in the street. She immediately called the BDOC.

"She had cuts on her face and she was very hostile," Hardin stated in her call.
Police and medics were dispatched to the location and the girl was taken by the Albuquerque ambulance service and transported downtown.

After the girl was taken in the ambulance, Tech. Sgt. Mark Bentoski, a 377th SFS flight chief, ran her information through NCIS and discovered the girl had two outstanding federal arrest warrants, for which she was later arrested for at the hospital by the Albuquerque Police Department.

"By Mrs. Hardin simply picking up the phone and notifying security forces, we were able to get medical attention for a sick and injured citizen, and remove a wanted felon from our installation," Smith said.