119th Wing Security Forces leads the way in Augmented Reality Training

Photo By Staff Sgt. Christa Anderson | Technical Sgts. Dana Brakke, Joshua Nistler, and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Brenneman Security Forces (SF) Airmen of the 119th Wing donned virtual reality headsets in preparation for InVeris training using augmented reality to clear buildings in active shooter scenarios at Hector field, Fargo N.D., on April 3, 2024. The 119th SF squadron is the first in the nation to training on the InVeris System. The system will allow SF Airmen to train in their existing buildings and use scenarios made from floor plans of other buildings to give them more realistic response experience. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christa Anderson)  

FARGO , ND, UNITED STATES

04.03.2024

Story by Senior Airman Christa Anderson 

119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard

Security Forces (SF) Airmen with the 119th Wing in Fargo, N.D. were the first unit in the Air Force to train on a new augmented reality system, that sharpened their active shooter response skills. The system installation and training took place on April 2nd through the 7th, at the 119th Wing.
“The InVeris system will allow us to use more realistic training scenarios without any sort of projectiles,” said Security Forces Staff Sargent Casey Hallwachs. “It allows us to train in our existing buildings, and it gives us the ability to recreate blueprints from buildings we do not have access to train in, which gives us practice in responding to threats without disrupting other operations.”
The InVeris system scans building layouts and builds scenarios, allowing defenders to train as if they were in the physical building. In addition, hostile and non-hostile digital avatars can be added into each scenario to enhance target discrimination. After each scenario, defenders are able to see real-time feedback of their movements through their headsets.
“Immediately after running through a scenario, you can replay it, to see where your weapon was pointed, and where your eyes were looking throughout the scenario,” said Hallwachs.
The InVeris system tracks eye and muzzle movements, allowing participants to review where they were looking and where their weapon was pointed. The system can be used effectively for active shooter training, allowing up to four defenders to train as a team anytime and in any place.
“We are the first Security Forces Squadron in the Nation to get this system, said Security Forces Squadron Commander, Major Kristopher Jacobs. “We are the first to take delivery of it, receive the training and to implement the system.”
Maj. Jacobs said they plan to use the training over their drill weekend and implement it into the entire SF squadron. The system also provides the squadron the opportunity to bring in other base populaces to train along with them.
“In the future I would like to implement this on a broader scale. Were we are bringing in other Security Forces units from across the nation to train on this system,” said Maj. Jacobs.

• Date Taken: 04.03.2024
• Date Posted: 04.23.2024 10:26
• Story ID: 468822
• Location: FARGO , ND, US