Security forces train for real world events

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  Members of the 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron participated in a simulated convoy attack Aug. 28 at an abandoned launch facility in Wyoming. 

These exercises are implemented every quarter and are designed to test the skills and tactics used by security forces to confront threats to the United States. 

"During these exercises, instead of just hearing what our mission and weapon capabilities are, we can see them in action," said Staff Sgt. Casey Adams, 90th Security Support Squadron. "It really puts our training to the test." 

Members from the 790th MSFS are assigned sides. Some play the part of American Airmen on a mission and others act as the enemy. 

We have different scenarios, Sergeant Adams said. Sometimes the scenario is to try evacuating people, other times it's escorting sensitive material. It all depends on what aspect of the job the security forces members need to be trained on. 

This exercise tested the Airmen escorting a resource vehicle in a convoy. Once attacked, the real training began. 

"This type of exercise really does prepare the Airmen in order to fight in a real-world environment," said Staff Sgt. Jon Becker, 90th Security Forces Group. "They have to know what procedures to take, and then execute them." 

Evaluators were on site to offer information on how certain procedures could be done more efficiently. The evaluators also shadowed the Airmen, confirming kills. Any Airman that was 'shot' had to play dead until the next exercise began. 

To make the process seem more realistic, the Airmen were fitted with multiple integrated laser engagement system gear. The gear is designed to detect when the blanks shot from weapons would have actually hit their target. The gear beeps when bullets whiz near the Airman and projects a steady tone, not unlike a flat line, when the target has been killed. 

"The objective is to make these exercises as real as possible," Sergeant Adams said. "We want the Airmen to believe that everything they do is as important as it can be and realize that we train for a reason."