Courtesy Photo | Tech. Sgt. Peter Cummings engages the enemy during a support-by-fire training exercise...... read more read more
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Courtesy story by Senior Master Sgt. Nicholas Giammarco, 102nd Security Forces Squadron
As the fog lifted off the ground and temperatures began to rise, defenders from the 102nd Security Forces Squadron made their way to the objective through thick forest.
Bursts of rapid gunfire became louder as they neared their destination.
As the perimeter was secured from the wood line, opposing forces began firing on the defenders as two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters emerged over the treetops and landed in the open field, inserting a support element. Defenders proceeded to secure the landing zone by conducting a Support by Fire mission.
“End Exercise” was called out, a mission debrief was provided and the day’s instructors were introduced; drill sergeants with the United States Army Reserve 1st Battalion, 304th Regiment, 98th Training Division. These subject matter experts prepared the defenders with in-depth training iterations including Army Warrior Tasks and Drills.
Global conflict is a real and constant threat. Should hostility with another foreign power occur, this training will ensure security forces defenders have the necessary skills to work alongside the Army at forward-deployed locations.
Training began with an extremely taxing land navigation course through thick vegetation. Temperatures rose to 85 °F, heavy with humidity. Following the course completion, Airmen were provided instruction on linear danger areas, radio programming and communication, effective trauma management and the process of calling in combat injuries requiring medevac.
Squad leader Master Sgt. Michael Anderson explained, “I think it’s good that we had the opportunity to train with the Army and were able to learn their language and teach them ours. It made it so we can articulate better during an actual high-stressed scenario.”
The joint training endeavor provided valuable hands-on training to defenders. Base defense -- defending the mission and protecting the force -- is the primary mission of Security Forces. Inadequate training could result in the enemy breaching the perimeter and creating chaos to our infrastructure and national security assets.
“The training environments on Joint Base Cape Cod are perfect to work in as we transition to being more concerned about near-peer adversaries,” said 2nd Lt. Allen Nancarrow, operations officer for the 102 SFS. “We’re very thankful that the drill sergeants are willing to take their knowledge to test the skills our defenders learn throughout their careers. Many may not realize, but the tactics we adopt as defenders come directly from Army field manuals.”
Defenders entered the final event, their mission to secure a flight line. The event was broken into four simultaneous scenarios that incorporated all of the lessons learned throughout the day.
After a long, arduous day that tested the limits of their endurance, the 102nd Security Forces Squadron exited the field better equipped to defend the force.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2021 09:10 |
| Story ID: | 399042 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE CAPE COD, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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