SFS, EOD support UN function

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melanie Iannaggi
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 56th Security forces Squadron and 56th Civil Engineer Squadron sent teams from Luke Air Force Base to help the New York Police Department, Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies with security during the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, N.Y. Sept. 17 through 27.

The teams searched vehicles, hotel rooms and other locations where high-profile individuals would go, according to Staff Sgt. Gabriel Bravo, 56th Security forces squadron military dog trainer.

"Staff Sgt. Kyle Alltop, 56th SFS military dog handler and his K9 partner, Chrach, found two unauthorized handguns during a vehicle search at a checkpoint," Sergeant Bravo said. "The Secret Service agents immediately took control."

Every year presidents and prime ministers from countries all over the world come together for a general assembly to discuss important topics at the U.N., said Staff Sgt. Kyle Alltop, 56th SFS military dog handler.

"This was the 64th time they met and a main topic discussed was nuclear proliferation. Members discussed which countries are allowed to have nuclear materials and for what purposes they can use them," Sergeant Alltop said.

One hundred and ninety two countries were represented at the event and the teams searched vehicles of some very high-profile people, Sergeant Bravo said.

"We searched Al Gore's hybrid Tahoe," he said.

The event was so big that SFS and CES from Luke never even crossed paths, said Staff Sgt. Benjamin McGraw 56th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal craftsman.

"We were both performing the same mission but at different places," he said.

Work for both units started at 5 a.m. and ended about 13 hours later for 11 days straight, said Sergeant Benjamin.

"Although the hours were long, the experience was great and well worth it," Sergeant McGraw said.

The NYPD, port authority and other law enforcement agencies showed great support for the military helpers, Sergeant Bravo said.
"Not only did they come by regularly and give us drinks at the checkpoints, but they gave us an exclusive tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero with the dogs," he said. "We saw a lot of things most people are not allowed to see."

Sergeant Alltop and Sergeant Bravo said they visited Central Park often with the dogs so they could take a break and play.

"The dogs are treated like us," Sergeant Bravo said. "They get their own seat or row on the airplane, their own bed in the hotel room, and watched ESPN in the room when we have to do tasks without them. They work just as hard as we do, so they deserve it."