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Deadliest game in the Air Force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Daryl Knee
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  The Air Force requires all of Warren's security forces to refresh their weapons familiarization at least once every three months.

One possible method to attain that goal pits the Airmen against a mastermind skilled in the use of reason and an infinite supply of diligent enemy forces. The situations are limitless, and the attack never ends.

In short, a video game.

The firearm training simulator is one tool to not only supply that weapons familiarization but to instill a sense of confidence into the Airmen who are training, said Staff Sgt. Tim Dewitt Jr., 90th Security Support Squadron and FATs instructor.

While using training weapons within the simulator, the students practice breath control, accuracy and the ability to work through the unplanned, like weapons malfunctions.

The simulator runs off of four computers relayed into a projection system. The projectors then broadcast eh computer-generated images onto a wall in front of the Airmen.

Compressed air powers the weapons, whether an M-16 rifle or an M-9 pistol, and through a type of laser recognition, the screen pinpoints the location of a fired weapon. When a trigger is pulled, a realistic recoil takes place.

Some scenarios involve the screen following a path in a random countryside, the sergeant said. In the dimly lit room, while looking at the screen, it would appear to the students that they are actually walking the route.

Depending on what the operator of the simulation plans, it could be a full-scale attack or a person who may, or may not, become belligerent.

"We, as security forces, always take in the totality of circumstances to gauge what type of force to use," he said. "Practice as you play."