By Cpl. Brenda Gullen, Wing Photo Journalist
May 29, 2009

17 WING WINNIPEG, Man. – Virtually everyone thinks Military Police (MP's) when it comes to security on the Wing. However, they are not alone in this task! Supporting the MP's are the Corps of Commissionaires who, as integral members of the Wing Security Force, are responsible for access control security to the Wing and its many buildings and facilities.
 
“It is not an open Base and a lot of people think it is!” says Commissionaire (Cmre) Al Fullerton.
 
The duties performed by the Commissionaires, although seemingly mundane to most, are important due to the fact that there is concern for not only the overall security of the Wing but also for the security of 1 Canadian Air Division/North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) headquarters and the Winnipeg International Airport; which is adjacent to 17 Wing.
 
“We are the MP’s eyes and they rely on the Commissionaires a lot,” says Cmre Fullerton.
 
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Barrie Woods is responsible for 45 Commissionaires on the Wing, and that does not include escorts for people needing temporary access to special areas.
 
For more information about 17 Wing, click here

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