181st SFS Airmen, deputies conduct incident response training October 20

Photo By 1st Lt. Jonathan Padish | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dustin Mahathy, a flight supervisor assigned to the 181st Security Forces Squadron, 181st Intelligence Wing, utilizes combat gauze on a medical practice aid during a field exercise at Hulman Field Air National Guard Base, Ind., Oct. 20, 2018. The exercise presented various training opportunities to enhance security readiness for first responders at the 181st Intelligence Wing. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan W. Padish)  

HULMAN FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, IN, UNITED STATES

10.20.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Padish 

181st Intelligence Wing

In howling, unseasonably cold October wind, Airmen and airfield deputies stood silently in a line. With each step forward, the first responders grabbed gear indicative of the task ahead. Eye protection. Face masks. Body armor. Weapons. Magazines loaded with simulated ammunition rounds. After one final function check, these first responders mustered to a staging area to enter the training grounds. A firearms instructor gave the command to commence the exercise, and the first responders tactically maneuvered toward their objectives.

Airmen assigned to the 181st Security Forces Squadron, 181st Intelligence Wing partnered with local law enforcement officers to conduct a field training exercise October 20 at Hulman Field Air National Guard Base, Indiana.

The exercise supported personnel readiness and familiarization with incident response procedures.

“The number one killer is complacency,” said Ted Bonomo, a Vigo County Sheriff’s Office airfield deputy assigned to Hulman Field. “We’ve got to maintain readiness.”

As part of the field training exercise, the 181st SFS Airmen and airfield deputies completed field expedient medical drills, bleeding control basic course certification, and active shooter training. The active shooter training, in particular, provided real-world challenges for the first responders to overcome.

“The weather played a factor,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. John F. Mutnansky, Jr., the commander of the 181st SFS. “It was a great training perspective. In the real world, radios fail. There’s wind. We might become physically separated. We must be cognizant of these challenges.”

Still, the organizers of the exercise recognized the first responders’ ability to overcome those challenges.

“They all did a really good job,” said Bonomo. “And, even when they didn’t succeed initially, those moments provided training opportunities. In training, if you don’t succeed, it only makes you better.”

Overall, the cooperation between Airmen and the airfield deputies promoted a valuable objective: interagency operability.

“State or Air Force, we’re out here doing the exact same job,” said Bonomo. “It’s all about maintaining security.”

At the end of the day, the Airmen and airfield deputies trained as one team to promote mission readiness and ensure security for military personnel and civilians both on base and in deployed environments.

• Date Taken: 10.20.2018
• Date Posted: 10.21.2018 16:41
• Story ID: 297174
• Location: HULMAN FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, IN, US