MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. —
As global tensions rise, the need to equip, train, and prepare Airmen is more crucial than ever.
In an effort to meet these mission requirements, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. select Brian Filler, Director of Security Forces, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, visited MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, to see firsthand the status of the force.
“We are facing a pivotal time in the Air Force,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Clements, 6th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) commander. “The changes we’re looking at as an organization are more important than ever. That’s why it’s critical that we get the opportunity to hear our senior leaders speak to those changes and their impact on the mission.”
Filler’s tour included stops at the 6th Air Refueling Wing’s key defense activities, such as a boat patrol along the installation’s coastline led by the 6th SFS Marine Patrolmen, an unmanned aerial systems demonstration by OWT Global, an industry partner contracted through the Air Force Research Laboratory, and an aerial tour aboard a U.S. Army Reserve, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, UH-60 Black Hawk.
“The battlespace is ever changing, and the force must continue to evolve with it,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Min Kang, 6th SFS Operations Officer. “This visit not only provided the opportunity to hear our senior leader’s thoughts on how Security Forces is changing to ensure the force is properly organized, trained, and equipped to combat the future fight, but also showcase how the 6th Security Forces Squadron is evolving to meet the threat.”
The tour concluded with a Security Forces All Call where Filler outlined his priorities as the Air Force’s newest Director of Security Forces.
Filler’s first priority, and above all others, is to take care of Defenders. According to Filler, supporting the human weapon system is how the Department of Defense will win the future fight.
“We don’t do anything in this career field without the human weapon system,” said Filler. “There is a lot we need to do to ensure you all are fit to fight. Whether that is supporting your physical or mental health, it is something we need to get after as an entire defender team.”
The Director’s second priority is to sustain current operations and fulfill the U.S. Air Force’s commitments. Much like Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin’s introductory memorandum in November 2023, Filler believes the force needs to take time to follow through on their initiatives, evaluating successes and risks as they are implemented.
“We as a force have a lot of good ideas,” said Filler. “Right now, we need to take the ideas we’ve worked on and see how they perform in an operational capacity. I’m a big fan of specializations. That means we work with our team members’ individual strengths and get the certifications that enhance that knowledge. From there, we can assess where we’re allowing risk and how we can eliminate it as we go forward.”
The Director’s final priority is to prepare for future operations. While Filler understands and seeks to address issues with funding and manning across the career field, he also recognizes the potential for development – modernizing force structure and focusing on the Great Power Competition.
“We need to focus on building experts and specializing in our strengths,” said Filler. “We need to build, leverage, and instill them because if we have a fight coming, we need to be ready for it.”
The soon-to-be brigadier general left the visit with one key concept: wherever there is a vulnerability, 6th SFS Airmen are stationed and ready. From the installation’s sandy coastline to the front gates, Defenders are actively working to protect and defend the homefront 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“We’re embarking on some pretty amazing journeys in the Air Force,” concludes Filler. “That is going to affect how we do business as a security force and what we deliver to the Air Force and the joint force. What I’ve seen here has been truly impressive. You all are pressing the bounds of security and I’m excited for what’s in store for the future.”
