Photo By Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado | A U.S. security forces Airman assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing clears his...... read more read more
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HURLBURT FIELD, Fla.— In the dense brush covering the Florida forest landscape, Security Forces Airmen navigate their way through challenges and obstacles, every step a testament to their readiness.
Through rigorous Field Training Exercises, or FTX, these Airmen confront realistic threats that test their endurance, hone their skills and fortify their preparation for actual combat situations.
“We put them in the middle of a field under realistic conditions, which gives them real-world applications,” said the security forces training NCOIC assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing. “It puts them in that warrior ethos mindset to keep their heads on a swivel and stay prepared for anything that could happen.”
The FTX is an essential part of the unit’s ongoing efforts to strengthen combat-ready forces. Airmen immerse themselves in realistic scenarios that build their warrior ethos and sharpen their skills for success at home and in deployed operations.
This quarter focused on land navigation, open-area crossings, key leader engagements and securing high-value targets.
One participant described the exercises as physically and mentally demanding, requiring participants to understand each team member’s role, apply rules of engagement and make quick decisions under pressure.
“Staying on the same page is crucial,” said the FTX participant. “We have to keep the squad together and ensure everyone knows what’s happening.”
The training NCOIC said the curriculum is constantly refined based on after-action reports, lessons learned from past events and real-world incidents.
“We adjust based on what’s happening in modern-day operations to keep our Airmen as prepared as possible,” the NCOIC said.
The consistent training leads to better performance and more comprehensive skill development than occasional exercises, the NCOIC added.
"This training reinforced my confidence, especially since I’ll be deploying in the near future,” said the FTX participant. “When I get downrange, if I’m called upon to do anything, I have complete confidence in myself that I can get the job done."
These ongoing exercises play a vital role in Hurlburt Field’s commitment to mission readiness, strengthening the 1st SOW’s ability to deter adversaries.
“I’ve seen vast improvement in both the younger Airmen and even some of the noncommissioned officers and senior NCOs,” said the training NCOIC.
| Date Taken: | 02.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2025 15:25 |
| Story ID: | 491146 |
| Location: | FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Beyond the base: Security Forces preps for emerging threats, by A1C Raul Mercado, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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