Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Taresha Hill | Members of the Special Reaction Team, 39th Military Police Detachment, 8th MP Brigade,...... read more read more
FORT SHAFTER FLATS, Hawaii - Members from the Special Reaction Team, 39th Military Police Detachment, 8th Military Police Brigade, reacted to an active shooter response training exercise Aug. 20, on Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii.
August is the Army’s annual antiterrorism month, so the Schofield Barracks Directorate of Emergency Services teamed up with 9th Mission Support Command to help prepare and train their employees and Soldiers for a real-world training exercise.
“This helps to solidify our relationships,” said 1st Lt. Bradley Freeman, the officer in charge of the SRT, about the many emergency responders they work with during the exercise. “It’s a team effort to help eliminate the threat and resolve the situation.”
After receiving the call, the team has a two-hour recall window in which to respond to a situation, no matter where or what they may be doing.
“Once there’s a confirmed shooting we are called,” said police Sgt. David Padilla, entry team leader with the SRT. “It’s up to us; we are the last resort.”
Playing the role as the active shooter, Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Faulkner, antiterrorism and force protection noncommissioned officer with the 9th MSC, said the team performed very well and were professionals every step of the way.
“Their [verbal] commands and actions made it very clear they were in control,” he said of his interaction with the team during the exercise.
The SRT safely detained anyone they came across while they cleared offices and cubicles.
“It was very challenging. We have to make sure we cover every angle,” said Padilla about working inside the building.
The SRT is a mix of Department of Defense civilian and military police that have to train together. Being a part of the team requires its members to have sharp tactical skills to execute their various missions.
“It’s not just about being a great shot, you have to have a strong mind and great problem-solving skills,” said Padilla.
While responding to an active shooter is just one scenario the team trains for throughout the year, Padilla added that it was the experience of working inside different buildings that his team looked forward to the most.
“It was a great training exercise,” said Padilla. “I hope we can come out here and train some more.”
Padilla said that in spite of most of his team being new on the job, they handled the situation and themselves very professionally.
He said, “Overall, the mission was a success.”
| Date Taken: | 08.20.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.28.2014 19:33 |
| Story ID: | 140762 |
| Location: | FORT SHAFTER FLATS, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 161 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Special Reaction Team trains on antiterrorism, by SFC Taresha Hill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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