Sioux City, Iowa. (June 4, 2023): America’s Naval police officers are charged with protecting over 100 foreign ports around the world, some in areas experiencing civil strife. For this reason, the Navy invests heavily in training and equipment for crowd control and how to handle a riot. In this photo by Senior Airman Tylon Chapman, Air National Guard Airmen from the 185th Air Refueling Wing Security Forces Squadron form a shield wall during domestic operations training at the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City. In this exercise, airmen practiced protecting themselves with shields, batons, and smoke grenades.

Like their civilian counterparts, Navy police employ non-lethal weapons, when possible, to contain such challenging situations. Security police are exposed to simulated abuse to test their ability to remain calm amid hostile encounters. Airmen with the 185th began their law enforcement careers at the Navy technical training center at San Antonio, Texas. This nine-week course focusses on anti-terrorism, armed security, crime prevention, and ways to handle domestic disturbances. These Naval police officers also operate prisons, do people smuggling interdictions, and handle K-9s to detect drugs. Graduates of the program may work at shore stations in the U.S. or be assigned aboard ships or at ports anywhere in the world.

The 900 plus Air National Guard members of the 185th Wing provide mid-air refueling for the Air Force Air Mobility Command in the event of war.