News>Training center uses combat lessons to evolve
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BAUMHOLDER, Germany (AFPN) -- Tech. Sgt. Greg Marchand radios his squad members while under a simulated attack during a Creek Defender training drill. The security force specialist is with the 52nd Security Forces Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John E. Lasky)
BAUMHOLDER, Germany (AFPN) -- Staff Sgt. Brandon Tillman and Allan rest after searching for improvised explosive devices during foot patrol training. They are with the 52nd Security Forces Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and participated in Creek Defender in southwestern Germany earlier this month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John E. Lasky)
BAUMHOLDER, Germany (AFPN) -- Airman 1st Class Robert Spears provides cover for his squad during foot patrol training. Airman Spears is a security force specialist with the 52nd Security Forces Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. He participated in Creek Defender in southwestern Germany earlier this month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John E. Lasky)
BAUMHOLDER, Germany (AFPN) -- Tech. Sgt. Gregory Marchand points out targets to Staff Sgt. Timothy Ogan during Creek Defender in southwestern Germany earlier this month. The Airmen are security force specialists with the 52nd Security Forces Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John E. Lasky)
2/23/2006 - SEMBACH AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) -- Security forces in Europe are preparing for deployment to war zones with an up-to-date curriculum.
The mission of the 786th Security Forces Squadron’s regional training center, otherwise known as "Creek Defender," is to provide predeployment integrated base defense training for U.S. Air Forces in Europe security forces.
The training also prepares command security forces for missions throughout the European Command’s area of operations and other combatant commands worldwide.
When previous training became outdated, the staff prepared a concept of operations in October that remedied that situation, said Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Herdman, the center superintendent.
Instructors created more than 40 lesson plans incorporating training objectives to counteract insurgent threats in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. The bulk of the plans were constructed with direct feedback from security forces deployed to war zones.
“We queried previous Creek Defender students currently deployed -- and the Army and Marine Corps sources -- to ensure we profited from their experiences and integrated tactical lessons learned,” Sergeant Herdman said.
The program concept was founded on the need to change from a purely instruction-based curriculum to one focused on tactics to defeat adversaries. Instructors focused on threat, capabilities and vulnerabilities to maximize the United States’ performance.
Additionally, Master Sgt. Tamala Hartz, noncommissioned officer in charge of operations, visited several U.S. Central Command bases as part of a training assessment sponsored by the Air Force Security Forces Center. She interviewed security forces Airmen who verified the proposed training plan was on target.
After completing the new course under the revised curriculum in December, students with deployed experience provided resounding feedback, Sergeant Herdman said.
Senior Master Sgt. Glynn Davis, operations superintendent for the 569th SFS at Vogelweh Air Station, Germany, is a veteran of four previous contingency deployments.
“The training was spot on. This course gave us training to succeed and survive in the desert,” he said.
Tech. Sgt. Gregory Marchand, flight chief from the 52nd SFS at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, said training made him “feel much more at ease."
“That easy feeling I have has also eased some of the anxiety my family has been feeling,” Sergeant Marchand said. “And that alone makes this the most valuable training I have received.”
Sergeant Herdman said the training cadre’s ultimate goal is to ensure their training is relevant, credible and flexible.
“It’s personal,” he said. “We want to ensure the personnel who attend Creek Defender are the best trained and most respected combat professionals, able to meet, defeat or overcome any challenge.”
