Photo By Airman 1st Class Ian Carton | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Guilfoyle, base defense operations center controller...... read more read more
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JACKSONVILLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Fla. – Members of the 125th Security Forces Squadron, Florida National Guard, completed active shooter training at the on-base alert building, April 9, 2026.
The exercise simulated a real-world active shooter event involving a lone gunman, a wing member acting as the shooter’s victim, and the security forces team that responded to the incident. Security forces leadership observed the team’s reaction to the call.
The training is designed to be as realistic as possible to generate stress and create an environment that will resemble a real-world active shooter event.
“There are not many ways you can induce high stress that will be what you experience during a real-world event,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Evenson, the senior enlisted leader of the 125th Security Forces Squadron.
The exercise’s realism was enhanced by having the shooter use an air compression type weapon to replicate the sound of gunfire and a role player to act as a victim. The scenario is further intensified by using data provided by the FBI to model active shooter tactics. These effects are intended to prepare Defenders for the physiological effects of a real gunfight, such as tunnel vision and auditory exclusion.
By simulating these diverse variables, the exercise prepares service members to manage their physical and mental stress responses during a real-world crisis, said Evenson.
The core of the exercise is to sharpen the fundamental skills required to neutralize a threat quickly.
This exercise included mission partners, such as members of the base fire department who serve as part of the rescue task force.
“The integration of mission partners, it all begins well before an actual incident,” said Evenson.
Having the ability to communicate with mission partners in a training environment provides the repetitions needed to understand each group’s roles, tactics, techniques, and procedures prior to the actual event occurring.
Through repetition leadership gets to practice their command and control and their utilization of the forces available, said Evenson.
The 125th Security Forces Squadron is committed to constantly improving through professional development and tactics training. This type of exercise is rooted in the squadron’s mission to protect the base community and its service members.
“Everything that we do matters,” said Evenson. “It matters whether or not someone makes it home at the end of the day.”
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2026 15:36 |
| Story ID: | 573345 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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