Air Base Ground Defense

Air Base Ground Defense (ABGD) is the operational term used by the United States Air Force to denote ground combat operations in defense of US Air Force bases. This specialty is filled by members of the Air Force Security Forces, who serve not only as Police/Law Enforcement officers, but as ground combat troops in defense of US Air Bases around the world. In this capacity, their duties are similar to those performed by the RAF Regiment of the British Royal Air Force, namely, to conduct ground combat operations as highly-trained infantry troops, in defense of US Air Bases. Camp Bullis Texas is where all levels of Air Base Ground Defense (ABGD) are instructed, the course ranges in length from 4-6 weeks. In these weeks of training Air Force Police are taught and become highly proficient with the M-203’s, M-60’s, MK-19 and many other base defense weapons.Under the Interservice Agreement between the United States Air Force and the United States Army, the USAF is responsible for ground combat operations to defend US Air Bases. Air Force Security Forces fulfill this mission, and, as such, are trained in the whole range of infantry tactics, to include Patrolling, Close quarters battle, Defence In Depth, crew-served weapons, and other ground combat tactics. The Air Force Security Police/Forces are truly the ground fighting force for the U.S. Air Force.