Total Force Defenders Beta Testing AFSFC’s New Weapons Qualification Course
By Joe Bela, AFIMSC Public Affairs, 9 September 2021
An Airman assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron fires an M4A1 carbine during beta testing of the Air Force Security Forces Centers' proposed weapons qualification course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Aug. 11, 2021. In the course, Defenders fire from various positions to simulate an active shooter incident. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alex Miller)
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – Defenders from across the Total Force are currently beta testing a new Air Force security forces weapons qualification course designed to enhance proficiency across the career field.
Developed by the Air Force Security Forces Center, a primary subordinate unit of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, the proposed course will seamlessly instruct, test and evaluate weapons training for the more than 38,000 active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and government civilian security forces members.
Twelve active-duty bases, two Air National Guard bases and one Air Force Reserve base are currently participating in the one-year beta test, which began June 1.
“The weapons qualification course is a forward-thinking effort, focused on enabling Defenders to adapt to a changing operational environment. Together, we will organize, train and equip Defenders to remain the most proficient and ready force,” said Brig. Gen. Roy Collins, director of Security Forces and deputy chief of staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection.
“This improved course of fire will allow our Defenders to focus more on weapons proficiency after initial qualification,” Collins added. “Once qualified on any weapon in our inventory, it is imperative to immediately start to build upon proficiency and repetition to create Defenders who are ready to operate in current and future environments.”
The four-block qualification course supports many of the 32 recommendations proposed by the Security Forces Defender NEXT Initiative. One aspect of the new initiative seeks to modify weapons and tactics capabilities with a focus on air base ground defense as a foundational requirement for Defenders across the Total Force.
Although a viable rifle and carbine qualification course is currently in place for security forces, “senior leaders recognized a need for enterprise-level change with an emphasis on continuous and realistic training across the career field,” said Jason Seibel, AFSFC’s chief of Air Force combat arms at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
The course, in testing, incorporates training on a quarterly basis rather than annual weapons qualification, as is currently the case for Airmen and Guardians in the security forces career field. This transition to proficiency training integrates four blocks of training:
Block 1: Carbine marksmanship fundamentals and simulator training
Block 2: Short-range combat training and shoot, move and communicate skills training
Block 3: Limited visibility engagement training and virtual reality scenario-based training
Block 4: Marksmanship qualification and live-fire proficiency training for select Defenders
“The course provides instructors with what is called a building-block instruction method,” Seibel said. “Each block of training builds on the previous block. Defenders must successfully complete Blocks 1, 2 and 3 before taking the final qualification block. In this way, we develop Airmen from the novice, who graduates basic military training, to the expert Defenders who attend our advanced course, ensuring proficiency throughout their careers.”
Tech. Sgt. George Henry III, 355th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, which is one of the test sites for the course, said it’s giving the career field a standardized way to accomplish weapons proficiency.
“This new course of fire will be used to pave the way for how Defenders qualify throughout the entire enterprise. Defenders will be shooting, moving and communicating during the entirety of the course,” he said.
Throughout the training, Defenders and combat arms instructors at each of the 15 test sites will provide data and feedback to Seibel and other combat arms training team developers at AFSFC. When beta testing ends May 31, 2022, the AFSFC team will analyze the input from the test sites and finalize the policy guidance with the goal of implementing the course by October 2022.
“This new course … benefits all Airmen who are charged with protecting our assets day and night. Today’s threats are evolving and our Defenders need to as well,” said Staff Sgt. Logan Goode, 355th SFS combat arms instructor. “Our Defenders will become more versatile and agile than ever before, allowing for better base defense and operations abroad.” (Senior Airman Alex Miller, 355th Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this story.)
Department of the Air Force announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen for 2021
By Staff Sgt. Kiana Pearson, Air Force’s Personnel Center Public Affairs, 9 July 2021
U.S. Air Force graphic by Staff Sgt. Kiana Pearson
Air Force officials have selected the service’s top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2021.
An Air Force selection board at the Air Force’s Personnel Center considered 35 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.
Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year (alphabetically, by command of assignment when selected):
SMSgt Marcus D. Banks, Pacific Air Forces
TSgt Christopher M. Bennett, Air Education and Training Command
TSgt Justin D. Bennett, USAFE-AFAFRICA, 48 SFS, Lakenheath AB, UK
TSgt Kelli A. Floyd, Air Combat Command
SSgt Valerie M. Graw, Air Force Materiel Command
SSgt Colleen F. Mitchell, Air Force District of Washington
SrA Giovanni Pacheco, Airman Support United States Space Force
SSgt Kristy L. Riley, Air Force Reserve Command
SSgt Alex M. Sandmann, Air Force Global Strike Command, 5 SFS, Minot AFB, ND
SMSgt Mark R. Schneider II, Air National Guard
SrA Jamonica M. Smith, Air Mobility Command, 87 SFS, JBMDL, NJ
MSgt Hannah E. Walters, Air Force Special Operations Command
The winners are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon with the bronze service star device on the ribbon. They are also authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.
Warren Defenders Aid in Capture of Wanted Criminal, Missing Child
By Maj Victoria Hight, 90th Missile Wing / Published July 08, 2021
Airman Suzanne Pedro and Airman 1st Class Frank Shaw, both from the 90th Security Forces Squadron, pose with Col. Damian Schlussel (left), 90th Security Forces Group commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Charles Flanagain (right), 90 SFG chief enlisted manager, for a photo on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, July 7, 2021. The Airmen were coined by their leadership in recognition of excellence while performing their duties. Their actions in defending the base directly contributed to the capture of an individual with active arrest warrants and the recovery of a missing child. (Courtesy photo)
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --
Airman Suzanne Pedro, an Installation Entry Controller from the 90th Security Forces Squadron, was recently recognized by wing leadership for actions which led to the capture of an individual with active warrants and a missing child here June 28, 2021.
A man drove up to the base gate and handed Amn Pedro, who was assigned to defend that gate, an unusual form of identification. When the man and child in the vehicle refused to make eye contact, the Airman began to suspect something was amiss.
“I had a feeling something wasn’t right,” said Pedro. “Neither the man or the child looked at me while I scanned the ID. When it flashed red for warrants, my heart began to race.”
After quietly alerting her supervisors and wingmen on duty at the gate, Amn Pedro directed the vehicle out of the line of traffic to prevent the individual from fleeing. Airman 1st Class Frank Shaw, 90 SFS, relayed information to the base defense operations center, which verified the warrants were active and contacted local law enforcement to inform them of the situation.
“We were told of a weapon in the car, so my heart was racing, but I wasn’t nervous,” said Pedro. “My main concern was keeping the child distracted and keeping him comfortable and happy.”
Although the investigation is ongoing, the Airmen have been told the child had been missing from his biological mother since December of 2020.
Pedro and Shaw were recognized by multiple levels of leadership for their textbook actions.
“Airman Pedro exemplifies what it means to be a Defender,” said Maj Keil Luber, 90 SFS commander. “While not yet qualified on her position, she followed her instincts and training, directly contributing to the capture of a wanted criminal and the recovery of a missing child.”
While both Airmen remain humble about their actions, Pedro expressed excitement about her coming years in the military.
“I’ve wanted to be a police officer as long as I can remember,” said Pedro. “To have only been in the Air Force for 10 months and get this experience that most haven’t gotten in their whole careers – it’s been amazing. I am thankful for everyone on my flight who has helped teach me, and I’m also thankful to my parents for supporting me in my dreams.”
USAF Security Forces Museum returns to normal hours starting 6 July 2021
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We Owe Him Everything We’ve Got... and Then Some
(U.S. Air National Guard: story and photo by Staff Sgt. Mercedee Wilds)
124th Fighter Wing, Boise, ID 30 June 2021
124th Security Forces Squadron defenders went above and beyond to assist a 96-year-old World War II veteran.
Retired Capt. William Brand was a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot with the Eighth Air Force in Okinawa, Japan, during WWII. He now lives in Hailey, Idaho, but regularly travels to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho to stay at the on-base lodging on days that appointments at the Boise VA Medical Center.
On May 6, 2021, 124th SFS defenders received an emergency call to the Gowen Field Lodging Facility. As Brand was checking in for a routine stay at the Gowen Field Lodging Facility he experienced a medical emergency, which left this WWII veteran with special requirements and a limited ability to properly care for himself and coordinate his VA appointments..
124th SFS defenders took it upon themselves to organize hourly shifts to check on the well-being of Brand, which included assisting with tasks of daily-living, providing essential needs and helping to coordinate with the VA for medical attention.
The defenders took on the role of dedicated care-givers, going beyond their typical duty and surpassing their daily requirements. To this group of 124th SFS members, it was an honor to help Brand and learn about his service to our country.
“Helping a veteran isn’t in our book for normal tasks, but it’s a sense of honor to help someone like that, who not only served our country but spent time in a war that we are still benefiting from,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Finer, a 124th SFS member.
Finer and the other defenders who helped Brand felt providing help and assistance to him, a brother in arms who dedicated so much of his life to protecting our country, was the least they could do.
“It’s an honor to be able to hear the stories from the direct mouth of someone who has experienced it,” said Finer, “my personal feelings are that we owe him everything we’ve got and then some.”
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