153rd Security Force Squadron conducts intense field training exercise

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class James McGuire | Staff Sgt. Ryan Rodekohr, Cheyenne, applies self-aid and buddy care to wounded squad member Tech. Sgt Kenneth Paul, of Cheyenne, as Master Sgt. John Erickson, of Winter Park, Colo., pulls security during a firefight.  

CAMP GUERNSEY, WY, UNITED STATES

10.20.2014

Story by Sgt. 1st Class James McGuire 

Joint Force Headquarters - Wyoming National Guard

CAMP GUERNSEY, Wyo. - Twenty airmen from the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Security Force Squadron got three days of high intensity field training at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center.

Among the key events at the fictitious CONEX village of Al-Harita, Iraq at the camp’s north training area, SFS troops, after being inserted by Wyoming Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, encountered many peaceful locals while patrolling the village. However, some were enemy insurgents who blended in seamlessly with the local population.

Winning hearts and minds in the simulated environment was challenged routinely throughout the weekend by opposing forces from the fictional Al-Sadi Martyrs Brigade, played by the 90th Missile Wing’s SFS from F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne.

While the guardsmen tried to react calmly to crowds of locals hawking cigarettes and Fritos, and to be polite while being touched and chided, it wouldn’t be good training if situations didn’t get out of hand.

“We call it choosing your own adventure,” said Tech. Sgt. Greg Wardle, who was among a handful of cadre from the 153rd SFS, directing the flow of the field training exercise. “Their actions would dictate how the OPFOR (enemy forces) would react. OPFOR touched them sometimes, and they’re not supposed to let them, but sometimes you have to let them. If we would have been rude or pushed them out of the way, things could’ve gone bad.”

The SFS troops also had to know where they were going and how to get back during day and night reconnaissance missions, receiving appropriate refresher training in land navigation. Self and buddy care was necessary for casualties in the area of operations, and sleep deprivation made the battles more real for the guardsmen.

“This exercise is the most interesting thing we’ve done so far,” said Airman 1st Class Briteney Bartz, a University of Wyoming student who joined the unit in November 2012. “We’re combining all the things we learned in tech school and some of the close quarters stuff we learned on F.E. Warren and bringing it all together.

Capt. Sean DeVeau, commander of the 153rd SFS said it was a great opportunity to incorporate all of the tasks his troops are required to know and give them an opportunity to hone the skills.

“Our airmen saw the value, in say, trying to take a hill in the morning and getting their ass kicked. Then to try it again in the afternoon, and not get their ass kicked. They really stepped up to the plate.”

DeVeau hopes this is just the beginning of more joint cooperation with Army and Air Guard units, and even hinted that he’d like to see a force on force training exercise in the future.

• Date Taken: 10.20.2014
• Date Posted: 10.20.2014 13:38
• Story ID: 145501
• Location: CAMP GUERNSEY, WY, US