Top-of-the-Line training and esprit de corps...

Photo By Staff Sgt. Roxanne Kongkiat | Airman 1st Class Emilio Masella and Master Sgt. Rick Marks complete the first obstacle, as a part of the 2017 Connecticut SWAT Challenge at the West Hartford Reservoir in West Hartford, Conn. August 24, 2017. Gas masks were required for the first few events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Roxanne Kongkiat)  

EAST GRANBY, CT, UNITED STATES

08.24.2017

Story by Tech. Sgt. Tamara Dabney 

103rd Airlift Wing, Bradley Air National Guard Base

BRADLEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Conn.According to an ancient biblical proverb, “As iron sharpens iron, one person sharpens another.” The age-old saying holds true for members of the 103rd Security Forces Squadron who sharpen their tactical skills each year by competing against law enforcement teams from across the U.S.
For the past 12 years, members of the 103rd Airlift Wing’s security forces have competed in what has come to be known as the nation’s premier tactical competition, the Connecticut SWAT Challenge. The competition is an opportunity for law enforcement teams to demonstrate their prowess in tactical movements, shooting and physical fitness. Although there are similar tactical competitions held throughout the year in other parts of the country, few of them are designed to facilitate inter-agency familiarization and esprit de corps among federal, state and local law enforcement as the Connecticut SWAT Challenge does.
“The team trains and competes side-by-side with the top military and federal, state and local law enforcement teams located throughout the U.S.,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Janusz, 103rd Security Forces squadron commander. “Our defenders are able to build bonds with our inter-agency counterparts, exchange trade secrets and learn additional tips and techniques that can be used in real-world situations that the events in the SWAT Challenge simulate.”
Competitors are challenged in a wide range of areas related to SWAT, to include long and short-range shooting, hostage rescue, active shooter response, and physical fitness—all critical job skills for Airmen in security forces.
“The SWAT Challenge tests many of the skills that our defenders must be competent in on a daily basis,” said Janusz. “This is what we train for, to ensure the resources and personnel of the 103rd Airlift Wing are protected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”
First-year competitor, Airman 1st Class Emilio Macella, recalled the first time he learned of the Connecticut SWAT Challenge and the excitement he felt after finally being able to compete and enhance his tactical skills.
“As soon as I entered security forces, I’d seen pictures of the competition on the walls,” said Macella. “It was something that interested me because it was very physical and I like being physical. I feel that the training that security forces holds prior to the competition and the whole week of the Connecticut SWAT Challenge is top-of-the-line training. I don’t think you can get that anywhere around here unless you actually go to a SWAT school.”
Beyond the excitement of being able to compete, Marcella felt that the competition brought him and his fellow security forces Airmen closer together.
“The best part about this competition is it brings each team together,” said Macella. “It’s the comradery. You come together as a family. You might work with these people every day, but when you do this you’re with them 15 hours a day, you get to know everybody, in and out.”
Out of 32 teams, the 103rd Security Forces Squadron tied for 14th place overall, and 2nd place among all military teams, out-performing two Connecticut Army National Guard teams from the 1-102nd Infantry Regiment and the 192nd Military Police Battalion. The 75th Ranger Regiment (Active-Duty Army) of Fort Benning, Georgia, placed first among military teams.
“Our Defenders trained very hard and invested many hours of their time to ensure they were at the top of their game for the events that they would be competing in,” said Janusz. “The outstanding performance of the 103rd Security Forces Squadron speaks volumes to the level of competence that our Defenders demonstrate every day at the 103rd Airlift Wing.”

• Date Taken: 08.24.2017
• Date Posted: 01.03.2018 12:11
• Story ID: 261226
• Location: EAST GRANBY, CT, US