Croughton Airmen patrol base with ATVs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chris Stagner
  • 422nd Air Base Squadron Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE CROUGHTON, England (USAFENS) --  Royal Air Force Croughton is full of Romeos. Most people don’t know it, and the cops are fine with that.

On horsepower instead of horseback, they visit porches at midnight but only have good intentions in mind. They’re not going to sweep Juliet off her feet ... unless she breaks the law.

Not to worry, though, because Romeos are cops, specially trained members of security forces who patrol the perimeter on all-terrain vehicles.

The Airmen use ATVs to patrol areas on base normal patrol cars can’t reach.

“Due to their training, Romeos are the only Airmen who can use ATVs to patrol the entire perimeter,” said Master Sgt. Tim Rowe, 422nd Security Forces Squadron security forces manager. “They are dedicated to the perimeter, and they are on duty every day and night.”

Not every cop is a Romeo, but every cop can be a Romeo.

To become a Romeo, security forces Airmen take a one-day course that focuses on ATV safety and riding techniques. It’s a mix of book knowledge about the ATV and practical application, said Sergeant Rowe.

“It’s their knowledge of ATVs and how to best utilize them to protect the base that separates them from the normal patrolman,” said Sergeant Rowe.

The Perimeter Road that is common on most Air Force bases doesn’t exist here. Instead of a road, the entire perimeter is surrounded by open fields and trees. The lack of paved surfaces is what makes the added mobility of the Romeo an essential piece of protecting the base according to Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Stephens, 422nd SFS Bravo Flight chief.

“It’s good to have the Romeos patrolling the perimeter,” said Sergeant Stephens. “They can get closer to the fence lines and listening and observation posts. They can get to areas patrol cars can’t, like the back side of housing. Almost half my flight is certified and ready to go without a moment’s notice.”

Speeding through the middle of a field when the temperature was only 38 degrees, the wind and speed of the ATV combined to drop that temperature even more. It didn’t bother Tech. Sgt. Steve Martin though. A Guardsman TDY here from Cincinnati, Sergeant Martin has been a Romeo for more than a year., and he loves it regardless of the temperature or precipitation.

“I enjoy being outside and being able to go anywhere on base I want,” said Sergeant Martin. “I’m not restricted to the road like most law enforcement Airmen. There’s not a spot on this base I haven’t seen. Who else can say they get paid to ride a four-wheeler all day?”

Though everyone at security forces knows what the Romeos do, no one seems to know what Romeo stands for or if there is any significance to the word.

“It’s just the call sign they use,” said Sergeant Stephens.

“It’s what they do,” said Sergeant Rowe. “They roam the base.”