Defenders train for deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katherine Holt
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
BAUMHOLDER, Germany --  More than 90 security forces members from around U.S. Air Forces in Europe participated in a 17-day course to train and prepare Airmen in the tactics and war fighting methods being used today.

Eight - 10 days of the course are spent in Baumholder, Germany, for the Creek Defender course.

"Creek Defender is a training course designed to prepare security forces members for deployment," said Master Sgt. Bradley Quam, USAFE regional training center superintendent. "The training covers skills on mounted and dismounted patrolling, immediate trauma and casualty care, expeditionary entry control points and vehicle searches."

Baumholder provides large maneuver training areas making it easy to incorporate multiple types of environments, he said.

Though the terrain of the training site may be different from the terrain in the area of responsibility, it doesn't affect the tactics they learn during the course.

"The tactics used to combat an improvised explosive device, suicide bomber or a small arms attack don't change based on the terrain," Quam said. "Basic fundamentals don't change. You just have to amend your plan to the environment you are working in. The training teaches personnel to adapt to their surroundings."

The training is made to give people a realistic view of situations they may encounter down range. The training center is equipped to handle full live fire convoy ranges and a firing range to practice marksmanship skills. The Airmen also faced 14 opposition forces members.

"I am getting ready for my first deployment," said 1st Lt. Julie Roloson, 52nd SFS training and resources officer in charge. "I am making the most out of some good training." 

People deploying as teams are also getting a chance to see how they work together.

"The great thing about this training was the opportunity to come here with my team as well as another team from Lakenheath," said Roloson. "Our team and the Lakenheath team are headed to the same region. We are learning how to work together and working out all of the kinks before actually being in the country."

Creek Defender doesn't just help out the individuals going through the training; it also relieves stress on the individual security forces units in USAFE.

"Common wartime tasks completed by personnel cover yearly training needed to stay current," said Quam. "This helps relieve pressure on individual units from conducting spin up training and meeting annual requirements."