Flashing red and blue lights signify the start of a traffic stop on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lewis Main.

Instead of a Military Police Soldier, an Air Force Staff Sergeant from the 62nd Security Forces, steps out of the cruiser, ticket book in hand. After all, the emblem on the patrol car reads Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Army Military Police and Air Force Security Forces initiated a program swapping personnel and working side-by-side on Feb. 1.

62nd Security Forces Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Kersey said the program is a natural evolution of joint basing.

"Our duties are almost synonymous," Kersey said.

The cooperative effort has been in the works for nearly three years, she said.

"It's a phase-in concept," Kersey said. "We want to set them up for success."

Kersey said that both Airmen and Soldiers seemed excited for the opportunity to take part in the exchange.

"We're working really well together," Kersey said. "The transition has been seamless this far."

From crime scene security to traffic patrols, from here on out Army green and Air Force blue can be seen working together, she said.

"These guys are paving the way for the future," Kersey said. "People should get used to seeing Air Force over there and Army over here."

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Olearnek said success of the program hinges on the cooperation between the services.

"Failure is not really an option," Olearnek said.

Working alongside the Army has been a smooth transition, he said.

"They've been pretty courteous," Olearnek said. "It's been great, actually."

The rollout of JBLM naturally means more Air Force and Army cooperation.

The two services already work together closely downrange.

"Law enforcement is pretty much law enforcement no matter where you do it," Olearnek said. "It's really not different at all."

Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Corneau, who has been working with traffic patrols on JBLM Lewis Main, said his Army counterparts have been very receptive to working alongside Airmen.

However, the reaction from people who are pulled over for possible infractions varies, he said.

"Some people (say), ‘Oh, you're Air Force,' or they ask what's going on," Corneau said.

The biggest adjustment comes from learning what similar things are called on the Army side of the house, he said.

"The verbiage is different," Corneau said.

Army Sgt. Brian Lane said the similarities between Air Force and Army military police operations greatly outweigh the differences.

"The program is really well done and really well thought out," Lane said.

Lane participated in a recertification course with the Air Force and said it matches up well with Army standards and procedures.

42nd Military Police Brigade Maj. Lawrence Grant said that a smooth rollout was a critical step in joint Security Forces/Military Police cooperation.

"We were already coordinating with the Security Forces 18 months ago on implementation," Grant said.

Working out kinks like synchronizing training and certifications for both Air Force and Army personnel has been a key part of developing the program, he said.

"So far, it's going very well," Grant said.

For the first exchanges, NCOs swapped places to learn leadership and management practices, he said.

"We are working very hard to make sure the same level of service offered won't be affected," Grant said.

The program continues to evolve best practices to ensure the highest quality of service and protection, he said.