Security Forces team completes tactics training in field

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Hess
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (USAFENS) --  The training begins. The Airmen move up the desolate road in a fashion reminiscent of Vietnam . Out of the silence rings the sound of gun fire. The first of the smoke grenades casts a yellow haze onto the road and field as the 13-man patrol instinctively takes cover and moves toward their assailants.

The sound of automatic weapons drown out hostile gunfire. A high-pitch squeal slices the air as warriors brace for the imminent flash and explosion.

To hone their skills, Airmen from the 48th Security Forces Squadron train in field tactics at Royal Army Stanta firing range each time they deploy. The field tactics these Airmen practice help to save lives wherever they are sent in the global war on terrorism.

The two-week combat training course goes back to the basics of weapons and team-tactics training. Most of the time is spent in the classroom with field manuals, but the teams in training then test the tactics in a field exercise.

The Airmen practice team tactics in combat patrols, defending and fighting against 48th SFS instructors who play aggressors. The aggressors play out scenarios similar to those the Airmen may encounter.

“We have to always remember use-of-force rules. Someone can be walking around with AK-47s firing them into the air,” said Senior Airman Thomas Myers, 48th SFS leader, holding his hand upright to demonstrate with an imaginary weapon. “As soon as they point the weapon at us, then we have to do something about it.”

He demonstrated this by bringing the gun to his side, pointing the imaginary muzzle toward his wingman.

They work through a scenario similar to this during training. An instructor walks from the woods with M-16 A2 in-hand and begins to talk with the combat patrol. After an exchange of words, the “friendly” turns hostile. It’s the point where the Airmen must react.

“Shoot, move, communicate. It’s as simple as that,” said Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rushford, 48th SFS training instructor. “The last thing you want to do while engaged (in combat) is try to remember complicated instructions.”

The instructions are simple, but implementation isn’t quite as easy, when staring at an aggressor, in training or real world.

“It’s part of the job,” said Airman Bobby Bunch, 48th SFS member. “You know you have the training, it just kicks in.”

That’s how the training saves lives.

“It’s a specialized, conditioned response to an event … you just do it,” said Sergeant Rushford.

While the Airmen work with assorted heavy weapons, smoke grenades and ground tactics, the course reiterates a concept deeply instilled from basic military training -- the wingman concept.

“Always have someone with you,” said Airman 1st Class Uriah Funches, 48th SFS member. “You protect him and he will protect you.”

The training gives these Airmen the know-how and practice to deal with a real-world situation while downrange. Most Airmen, if they are lucky, will never have to use these tactics. But if they do, they will be ready, said Sergeant Rushford.