DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled

Coalition forces train for VBIED scenarios

Courtesy Photo | SOUTHWEST ASIA -- A security forces member from the Japan Air Self Defense Force's...... read more read more

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

08.04.2006

Courtesy Story

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

by Staff Sgt. Ryan Hansen
386th AEW/PA

SOUTHWEST ASIA – The 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron hosted a coalition partner vehicle borne improvised explosive device training exercise here July 31.

Participating in the training exercise were security forces members from the Japan Air Self Defense Force and Republic of Korea Air Force.

The purpose of the event was to train and rehearse the coalition partners here in the basic skills of responding to a VBIED in case of such an attack and to help the 386th ESFS develop standard operating procedures such as staging points, communication issues and safety.

"Our strength is in our teamwork," said Lt. Col. Dave Marttala, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron commander. "We can't properly execute our security measures here without the support of our coalition partners and the host nation. So this training, as well as our future exercises, will help maximize our combat power in event of an actual security incident."

Sixteen members of the JASDF and eight members of the ROKAF took part in the exercise. After some hands-on training by the 386th ESFS, the coalition partners were taken through a typical VBIED scenario.

"The coalition forces training exercise went great," said Master Sgt. Michael Jensen, NCOIC of training for the 386th ESFS. "We had fun and it gave the coalition security forces all a chance to get out and work together in a training environment."

Each unit agreed that the training was worthwhile for their troops.

"Today was a great opportunity for us," said 1st Lt. Satoshi Watanabe, JASDF's Iraq Reconstruction Support Airlift Wing's security forces commander. "We focused on how to control the situation and how to cooperate with the (U.S. Air Force) and (Korean Air Force)."

"This was a great opportunity to learn a lot of things from our coalition partners here," said Maj. Hyun Soo Kim, ROKAF's 58th Air Lift Wing security forces commander. "In our country we do not have this type of training, so this is very valuable to us."

The VBIED exercise was the second training opportunity hosted by the 386th ESFS for the coalition forces here. The first was a classroom event where they were given a training session on searching and handcuffing.

"First we have to learn to crawl together," Colonel Marttala said. "After that we can begin to walk and ultimately run together."

Eventually the 386th ESFS and coalition partners will run themselves through a no-notice exercise to test the SOPs that were developed during this exercise and to evaluate their training procedures.

"I personally enjoyed working with both the ROKAF and JASDF and look forward to the next time," Sergeant Jensen said. "Teamwork is the foundation for making the unified coalition forces stronger and better equipped to meet whatever challenges that we face together."