Photo By Paul Evans | Retired Col. Lawrence "Rocky" Lane, Raven #1, former Air Mobility Command security...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Senior Airman William Newman Jr. stepped across the stage of Grace Peterson Hall in the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here Sept. 22 earning the Raven number designation of "2,000" in the process.
Newman, from the 811th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Md., is a graduate of Air Mobility Command's Phoenix Raven program taught by the USAF EC's 421st Combat Training Squadron .
Implemented in 1997, Phoenix Raven consists of teams of specially-trained security forces personnel "dedicated to providing security for Air Mobility Command aircraft transiting high terrorist and criminal threat areas," according to the AMC fact sheet for the Raven program. "The Phoenix Raven program ensures an acceptable level of close-in security for aircraft transiting airfields where security is unknown or additional security is needed to counter local threats."
The number of Raven graduates now stands at 2,005, according to 421st CTS officials. The program was started by then-AMC commander, Gen. Walter Cross, to better protect military aircraft in an expeditionary environment. It was implemented under the direction of former AMC security forces director, retired Col. Lawrence "Rocky" Lane.
"The success of the mission of the Raven program is that it speaks for itself," said Lane during the 10th anniversary of the program in 2007. Lane, who was the guest speaker for the graduation, was the first Raven student to graduate the course achieving Raven patch No. 1 -- a patch he is proud to own.
What Lane said in 2007 still holds true through to this day.
"Of all the thousands of missions that have been flown by AMC and other commands throughout the world that have had Ravens with it, we haven't lost a single aircraft," Lane said. "We also haven't had a single aircrew member killed or wounded or anything that's been in the care and protection of a Raven or a Raven team."
The Phoenix Raven training course is an "intensive two-week, 12-hour-a-day course" that covers such subjects as cross-cultural awareness, legal considerations, embassy operations, airfield survey techniques, explosive ordnance awareness, aircraft searches and unarmed self-defense techniques, according to the course description. Students are exposed to dozens of use-of-force scenarios where stress is simulated through the use of role players.
Raven candidates are also instructed on anti-hijacking duty in cooperation with the Federal Air Marshal program, the fact sheet states. Training is designed to provide security forces members with the skills required for their unique mission and builds on the basic security force skills taught at the Security Forces Academy at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
Other past and present Ravens also attended the graduation. Among them was retired Master Sgt. Andrew Smith, who holds Raven No. 73.
"According to [Colonel] Lane, this is the longest-running security forces program," said Smith, who also served with the 421st CTS as an instructor and first sergeant. "Standards have not dropped. Ravens are a group of security forces, not elite, but equipped with a new skill set and ready to take on new challenges. They are future leaders because their mettle was tested. Since 1997, only 2,000 have met the challenge."
The chief of security forces at Headquarters AMC/A7F is the focal point for all Phoenix Raven operations supporting AMC airlift operations. At that focal point, a Raven program manager serves within the staff as the interface between the headquarters and units. In addition to the program manager, the AMC/A7F contingency branch coordinates with other major commands and Air Reserve Component security forces to ensure Raven-trained personnel are available at overseas en route locations to support AMC missions unexpectedly diverted.
Raven graduates have come from not only active duty Air Force, but also the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. Additionally, members of other services have also completed the program to include 177 Sailors from the U.S. Navy.
"You could feel the pride and esprit d 'corps in the room at the graduation today," Smith said. "The Raven program lives on."
The commander of the squadron responsible for the training said surpassing 2,000 graduates is the continuation of the storied legacy of the Raven program.
"Phoenix Raven is a physically and mentally demanding training course," said Lt. Col. Rhett Boldenow, 421st CTS commander. "For the airmen and DOD partners who graduate, the skills they learn help them make the level-headed decisions that are vital to the security of mobility aircraft worldwide in austere environments, under intense pressure. From Raven No. 1 in 1997 to Raven No. 2005 in 2011, airmen have and will continue to operate around the globe so that AMC can continue to provide global reach to the Air Force."
(Tech. Sgt. Zach Wilson, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs, contributed to this article.)
| Date Taken: | 09.27.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2011 13:16 |
| Story ID: | 77643 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 526 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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