63rd Security Police Sq. Norton AFB

• Strategic Role: The 63rd Security Police Squadron (SPS) was the primary law enforcement and security unit responsible for the protection of Norton Air Force Base (AFB), located in San Bernardino, California. • Cold War Era: The squadron played a critical role during the Cold War, safeguarding vital airlift operations and nuclear weapons-related assets assigned to the base. • Vietnam War Support: Members of the 63rd SPS provided security for C-141 Starlifter aircraft and aircrews deploying to and from Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. • K-9 Units: The squadron maintained a highly trained K-9 (military working dog) section, which conducted patrols, explosives detection, and demonstrations for the community. • Humanitarian Missions: The 63rd SPS protected aircraft and cargo involved in major humanitarian airlift missions, including disaster relief operations in the United States and abroad. • Base Closure: Norton AFB and the 63rd SPS were inactivated in 1994 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program, ending over 50 years of active service. • Women in Security Police: The 63rd SPS was among the early Air Force units to integrate female Security Police officers and airmen into its ranks in the 1970s and 1980s. • Special Weapons Security: The squadron was tasked with the protection and quick deployment of special weapons (nuclear and conventional) stored at Norton AFB during its operational years. • Community Engagement: 63rd SPS members frequently participated in base open houses, local parades, and school safety programs, strengthening ties with the San Bernardino community. • Legacy and Honors: Although inactivated, the squadron’s legacy continues through former members’ associations, reunions, and contributions to military police heritage within the Air Force Security Forces.