SAF training reinforces Miramar safety

Photo By Cpl. Christopher Johns | Marines taking part in Security Augmentation Force training fire M1014 shotguns at targets aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., April 16. Marines are taken to the sheriff’s range in the second week of SAF training to become familiar with the 9 mm pistol and the M1014 shotgun.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, UNITED STATES

04.16.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Christopher Johns 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – “Get on the ground,” ordered a Marine as he drove his resisting suspect to the ground. As the suspect lay down, the Marine maneuvered himself to where he could kneel on the suspect’s shoulder and safely place handcuffs on his wrists.

The Marine and simulated suspect were a part of a training scenario for the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Security Augmentation Force.

SAF is a group of Marines who augment the Provost Marshal’s Office for times when threat levels rise.

“The Security Augmentation Force is a contingency force that is trained and put in place in case [the air station] goes into a higher threat condition,” said Jose Maldonado, the lead instructor for SAF training with PMO and a Houston native.

Marines are taught basic law enforcement training, knowledge on standard operating procedures for PMO, basic marksmanship with the 9 mm pistol, familiarization with the M1014 shotgun and use of force training during the training evolution.

Once the threat level for the air station rises, Marines with SAF will activate. SAF Marines become a part of PMO to perform necessary tasks to keep MCAS Miramar’s inhabitants safe from harm.

“The majority of [the Marines] are highly motivated and volunteered to be here,” said Maldonado. “They look at this as an opportunity to expand their horizons.”

During the first week of training, Marines spend time in class learning about use of force, procedures for field interviews and how to search suspects and vehicles. Marines are then taken to the field by PMO to learn how to properly use hand irons, batons, oleoresin capsicum spray and defensive tactics.

The defensive tactics themselves can be used either before other tools like the baton and OC spray, or in conjunction with both if a suspect attempts to resist.

As part of the training, each Marine is exposed to OC spray, then must fight through a gauntlet of obstacles.

“The pain the spray inflicted was almost unbearable,” said Sgt. Gregory Craig, the class leader and a Houston native. “I felt a sort of nervous excitement about the OC spray, it hurt so badly, but you had to fight through it.”

During the second week of training, Marines go to the sheriff’s range to undergo shotgun and pistol training.

“The weapons training we went through was invaluable, because when you’re out on patrol or standing guard at the gate, your primary weapon is the pistol,” said Craig.

Not only do Marines undergoing SAF training have the opportunity to qualify with a new weapon, but the training itself makes them more competitive for boards.

“Here on Miramar, mostly staff non-commissioned officers and officers are the only ones who get to qualify with the pistol unless their [military occupational specialty] requires it,” said Shannon Evans, an instructor with PMO and a Hamilton, Ohio, native. “Getting the option to qualify with the pistol is an opportunity a lot of Marines look forward to, because it gives them another tool in their belt making them more competitive against their peers.”

After five days at the range and qualifying with the pistol, the class graduated and received certificates for completing the SAF training as well as the level one OC certification the Marines fought to earn.

For 10 days, 34 Marines took part in the training necessary to successfully augment the military police.These Marines are now prepared to support PMO Marines in case of emergencies concerning the safety of the air station.

• Date Taken: 04.16.2012
• Date Posted: 05.04.2012 17:14
• Story ID: 87924
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, US
• Hometown: FORT SMITH, AR, US
• Hometown: HAMILTON, OH, US
• Hometown: HOUSTON, TX, US
• Hometown: LOMPOC, CA, US
• Hometown: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US
• Hometown: SAN DIEGO, CA, US