# News

## U.S. Air Force LogoUnited States Air Force

# First female joins TRF in three years 

              - Published  Oct. 31, 2022
              -                             By Airman 1st Class Sarah Post                                                     
              - 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

**F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. (AFNS)  --  **

Staff Sgt. Kristen Witherspoon, 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron Tactical Response Force candidate, moves through the shoot house on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Oct. 5, 2022. Witherspoon is the second female to tryout and finish the TRF selection course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Landon Gunsauls) 
Photo Details /                Download Hi-Res**F.E. Warren Air Force Base** is tasked with defending America with the world’s premier combat-ready intercontinental ballistic missile force. A mission that requires Airmen and defenders in the field every day, providing air and ground support and security.Staff Sgt. Kristen Witherspoon, a member of the 890th Missile Security Operations Squadron, is one of these defenders.Witherspoon wanted to take her commitment of defending the 90th Missile Wing’s assets to the next level, so she made the commitment and tried out for the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron’s Tactical Response Force. TRF is a rapid-deployed, specialized security forces team on alert 24/7. TRF trains extensively on small unit tactics, urban combat, assaulting sites from helicopters and close quarters combat. Defenders who are a part of TRF provide a quick reaction force for convoys and base emergencies and regularly preform armed air patrols over the 9,600 square-mile missile field.“It means a lot to me to be able to defend the mission here,” Witherspoon said. “Now that I am a part of TRF, I will be able to physically defend the missiles with people I train with all the time, and that makes me proud.” 

Staff Sgt. Kristen Witherspoon, 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron Tactical Response Force candidate, clears a room of simulated hostiles on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Oct. 5, 2022. Witherspoon is the second female to tryout and finish the TRF selection course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Landon Gunsauls) 
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Staff Sgt. Witherspoon poses with her certificate and patch after Tactical Response Force graduation, Oct. 27, 2022, on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. Witherspoon went through four weeks of training to make it onto the rapid-deployed, specialized security forces TRF team. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st class Sarah Post) 
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LRUSAFAFAir ForceF.E. Warren Air Force BaseICBMAirmendefenders890th Missile Security Operations Squadron90th Missile Security Operations Squadrontactical response force