BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Staff Sgt. Xavier Drake, a .50-caliber machine gun gunner and driver with the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, recently deployed from the 97th SFS, Altus Air Force Base, Okla.

Drake, a Washington D.C. native, deployed to work with an elite group of security forces airmen with the 455th ESFS, a quick reaction team known as the “Reapers.”

Several times a week, Drake and members of his team travel outside the wire to deter terrorist activity and build working relationships with the local populace.

“Our mission is to defend the airfield outside the wire through early detection, deterrence, response, reconnaissance and counter insurgency,” said Master Sgt. Troy Taylor, NCO in charge for the Reapers. “To complete these missions, Reaper teams are comprised of dismounted patrol members, counter sniper teams and surveillance teams that have access to unmanned air assets.”

As a gunner, it’s Drake’s responsibility to man a .50-caliber machine gun and stay vigilant as his team travels through dangerous environments and dismounts in local villages.

As a Reaper, airmen on the team have many responsibilities, but certain parts of their mission are what really make them enjoy their job everyday.

“I’m fairly new to the mission, but from what I’ve seen the Reapers have helped push insurgents away from the base,” said Drake. “I really like that we get to go off base and try to make that difference. Our mission as Reapers is a lot different from a normal security forces deployment; I’m excited that we get to actually see the fruits of our labor first hand.”

This is Drake’s fifth deployment and he has been serving in the U.S. Air Force for nine years.

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