AIR BASE 201, Agadez -- The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office organized a two-day self-defense course for Airmen and joint warfighters at Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger, August 28 and September 4, 2021.
Master Sgt. Dalton Brewer, SAPR victim advocate organized the event with the help of Tech. Sgt. Hector Laureano, 409th AEG anti-terrorism officer, and Senior Airman Zhane Washington, 409th AEG security forces escort team member. The course offered basic and advanced self-defense skills for a range of ranks from Senior Airman to Senior Master Sgt.
“I really enjoyed the course,” said Staff Sgt. Lauren Steib, 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron mental health technician. “The instructors were really great at explaining the content and were super positive.”
Laureano, a certified Gracie Jui-Jitsu instructor, taught basic skills like wrist control, improvised weapons, creating distance, countering of wrist grabs, hair pull, chokes, and side-by-side control.
“I think it was a great class and all the women had a great time,” Laureano said. “I’ve been doing this for about 13 years, and every class is different in their own way. I get a sense of pride teaching women’s self-defense. It makes me feel good knowing that I’ve helped arm the ladies with possible techniques in the event they should need it. I can’t wait until the next one.”
Brewer is U.S. Air Force Africa’s first deployed full-time victim advocate. According to Maj. Minde Geiger, the sexual assault response coordinator, his presence provides critical support to Airmen deployed to the continent and has been vital to the expansion of the wing’s SAPR program.
“I hope no one ever has to use these skills that Tech. Sgt. Laureano and Senior Airman Washington are teaching,” said Brewer. “But, these are skills someone may need on their worst day, so these classes are a perfect way to help prepare our Airmen.”
If you need to report a sexual assault or have questions, please reach out to the 435 AEW SARC or SAPR VA, who have confidentiality. They can be reached via Cell/WhatsApp at +49-152-544-35007 or +227-9750-8592.