Following the 1996 terrorist bombing of Khobar Towers, targeting, and killing US military personnel housed in the city of Khobar, Saudi Arabia, the Air Force had formed a dedicated force protection unit, the 820th Security Forces Group, capable of global deployment and containing dedicated specialties crucial to force protection under one commander. In August of 2000, LtCol John Hursey, then Deputy Commander for the 820th was assigned to the CENTAF-led planning staff.
Following the 1996 bombing of Khobar Towers, which resulted in the death of US military personnel in Saudi Arabia, the Air Force created a dedicated force protection unit, the 820th Security Forces Group, capable of global deployment and specializing in force protection under one commander. In August 2000, LtCol John Hursey, then deputy commander of the 820th, was assigned to the CENTAF planning staff.