Photo By Tech. Sgt. Michael Smith | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Marc Loflin, 824th Base Defense Force, alerts his squad...... read more read more
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The mission of the 736th Security Forces Squadron is to provide a rapidly deployable integrated defense capability and prepare expeditionary Airmen to deploy worldwide. This was showcased as they participated in the first ever multinational security forces field training exercise within Cope North 2017.
The FTX brought together Moody AFB’s 824th Base Defense Squadron, U.S. Army’s 8th Military Police Brigade, Royal Australian Air Force’s No. 1 SFS and even Japan Air Self Defense Force’s Air Defense Command to participate in a multiday jungle/urban training operation against opposing forces.
“We are really excited we were able to bring these Airmen and Soldiers to Cope North 2017, integrate them side by side and allow them to understand how to operate together at the tactical level,” said Capt. Doug Dinkins, Air Force Installation & Mission Support Center, Detachment 2. “Given the ever changing environments that we operate in, the pacific theater being our focus, it’s important that we really know how other countries operate.
“The times are gone where we were pretty much deploying by ourselves and doing our own thing. We’ve got to look at new ways to solve old problems and a lot of those new ways involve a joint and combined environment effort to tackle those.”
The field training itself was based around a scenario involving militia training local villagers into become opposing forces by using guerilla warfare type tactics, mortar strikes and improvised explosive devices. To complete the operation friendly forces had to successfully respond to a variety of task in the humid jungle environment of Guam.
“We wanted to be sure we made the training as real as we could,” said Master Sgt. Kyle Altstaetter, 736th SFS Commando Warrior cadre. “It involved a lot planning, but in the end, it made up for it being able to witness the results and the bonds the Airmen created while dealing with the scenarios. It’s why we do it.”
As part of the 36th Contingency Response Group, members of the 736th SFS provide an integrated force protection element that arrives first at operating locations. This skillset allowed them to be very beneficial to the their fellow FTX participants.
“We studied the USAF and RAAF’s high standard combat capabilities that they have,” said JASDF Major Masatoshi Sugimoto, Air Defense Command security forces officer. “I feel this exercise promotes and enhances better mutual understanding and cooperation through Indo-Asia-Pacific region, and we will take the knowledge we gained to Japan.”
According to Master Sgt. William Lepionka, 736th Security Forces Squadron plans and programs superintendent, bilateral training like the FTX benefit everyone in the end; not only by strengthening bonds but by also exchanging knowledge, tactics and experiences.
“The interoperability of getting all these nations to take part is amazing,” said Lepionka. “It’s what we are looking forward to and hopefully we continue to build on that into the future.”
Lepionka had the opportunity to witness the FTX from two different sides; from a planning aspect and being imbedded in one of the squads.
“The biggest piece for this was obviously planning. From getting everyone here, all the training objectives and executing, but I think everything worked out pretty well,” said Lepionka. “We had everyone out here from active duty to reserve from California to Georgia. Getting to work with these people was a first for a lot of people, it was very beneficial.”
According to Dinkins the biggest objective was to ensure that there is a working relationship at the tactical level for any potential humanitarian aid, disaster response or contingency operation within the pacific theater; furthering the important mission of the 736th SFS.
| Date Taken: | 03.16.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.23.2017 12:53 |
| Story ID: | 227854 |
| Location: | ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GU |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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