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HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. - Security Forces members are the Air Force’s first line of defense of our Airmen and their families worldwide. Known as Defenders, Security Forces Airmen train, sweet and bleed preparing themselves and their fire teams to defend the base. For the past 32 years, the Silver Flag alpha course at Creech Air force Base, Nevada, has provided the pre-deployment training for all Air Force Security Forces members. That mission came to a close Dec 20, 2014, when the course officially transferred to Fort Bliss, Texas.
The final class to graduate the 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron’s Base Security Operations course was led by the Tech. Sgt. Eric Hilton, 49th Wing Security Forces, who completed a nine month temporary duty assignment leading the transition from Indian Springs, Nevada to El Paso, Texas.
Hilton, who was in charge of coordinating and managing the headquarters element training, which consisted of preparing squad leaders and Defense Force Commanders for future deployments.
“With the growing mission pushing us farther than just doing flight line security and base defense, we focused on outside the wire, mounted, and dismounted missions.” said Hilton. “We work hard to make the training as realistic as possible.”
The facilities and equipment used throughout Silver Flag Alpha being carefully inventoried and packed up for transport to Fort Bliss. Once complete, this will consolidate all of the pre-deployment training for Air Force Security forces.
“Having one centralized location for pre-deployment training will instill great continuity within the ranks,” said Hilton, “and once established, will save the Air Force money and our Airmen time away from their families.”
The 12 Sliver Flag Alpha training ranges could support all security forces weapons training, a military operation in urban terrain village, a expeditionary base tent city and a unit maneuver area.
The final 95 defenders to graduate came from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, reserve unit, and Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, reserve unit.
“With the growing mission pushing us farther than just doing flight line security and base defense, we focused on outside the wire, mounted, and dismounted missions.” said Hilton. “We work hard to make the training as realistic as possible.”
The training covered tasks such as entry control point operations, basic medical techniques and dismounted tactics and patrolling. Every core task taught has been designed from lessons learned from Security Forces units downrange in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Before the 99th GCTS’s inactivation, it was one of eight Security Forces Regional Training Centers that conducted the variety of courses designed to ensure security forces Airmen accomplished their mission and training requirements both at home and while deployed.
“I have been through other training centers as a student, and was a prior Security Forces Instructor at our 7 level and Combat Leaders Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas,” said Hilton. “I was also an instructor at for Silver Flag Alpha in 2008 when we trained defenders to go over to Balad Air Base, Iraq, to take full control of Security Operations from the Army.”
The First Silver Flag Alpha course took place in 1983, and has been a continuous part of the security forces regiment since then. However, like many of the Air Force programs, it is now making changes in an effort to streamline Air Force capabilities and create a smoother running system. The new system will be more aligned with training completed by the other forces and will help Air Force Security Forces aid in making this, the world’s greatest air force.
“I’ve had a humbling career as a defender so far, and words can’t express the gratitude I have for all the cadre that came before us defenders that teach today,” said Hilton. “They paved the way on how we operate with professionalism and respect for one another. I am honored to be called up and asked to join a team of men and women that take complete pride in everything they do on a daily basis. It has been an honor to work alongside the cadre of the 99th GCTS.”
| Date Taken: | 01.13.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.13.2015 18:44 |
| Story ID: | 151922 |
| Location: | HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 180 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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