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Airman 1st Class Shasta Williams and Army Sgt. Jonathan Roberson inventory equipment before heading out on a patrol at Ali Base, Iraq, on Friday, June 16. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andrew Gates)
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Airmen train Soldiers for protection mission
Posted 6/23/2006
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by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates
407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
6/23/2006 - ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Airmen from the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here have found themselves performing a unique mission in the last month -- providing training to 164 Soldiers.
"It wasn't so much training as (it was) refreshing their skills and letting them know some specifics about protecting Ali Base and the people on it," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Morris, 407th ESFS lead trainer.
The 164 Soldiers from the 528th Quartermaster Company are assuming the Ali protection mission performed by the 407th ESFS. In July, Soldiers start patrolling in and outside the base perimeter to look for possible attacks and protect the surrounding area. This training gave the Soldiers the tools and techniques they need to perform this mission safely, Sergeant Morris said.
Soldiers started with 12 days of classroom training, developed by a team of four security forces experts. The classroom, actually various structures and open fields, connected 20 Soldiers with experts in a number of force protection areas.
"I had the training background to map out the course, and we had 12 high-quality instructors," Sergeant Morris said.
One of those instructors is a member of the Vermont Air National Guard and a teacher in his civilian life.
"This was a very welcomed opportunity," said Staff Sgt. Alexander Foryan. "I am very proud and honored to be a part of this. These elements have great squad leaders and excellent Soldiers."
The first six days of training covered basic information, Sergeant Morris said.
"We were refreshing the Soldiers' (knowledge) on challenging, entry control procedures, area searches, medevac reports and the like, while letting them know the tools and techniques that worked for us while we have been assigned to Ali," Sergeant Morris said. "For the most part, we are allowing team leaders and flight sergeants to do the training. They train themselves and we assist them by telling them Ali-specific information."
The next two days of training focused on weapons and processes that Soldiers will need on patrol. The last four days of training focused on battle drills.
"During a battle drill, we present the Soldiers with specific issues -- say an improvised explosive device or someone attempting to run the gate -- and see how they react," Sergeant Morris said.
The instruction was quite helpful, said Army Staff Sgt. Tusi Leuluai.
"This training has helped us a lot to prepare for our upcoming mission," he said. "These guys are very knowledgeable about training and are making the transition very smooth. This is the third time I have worked with Air Force security forces. They know their stuff and are always on the top of their game. It is reassuring to know that we were getting trained by them."
Sergeant Leuluai enjoyed the individual and team tactics of the training.
"That benefits both the Air Force and the Army, especially the Soldiers who are carrying on the mission," he said.
After the classroom portion, Soldiers spend two weeks getting "right-seat" rides with experienced patrols, Sergeant Morris said. When that is done, Soldiers will be ready to take over the base protection mission.
The 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and the 407th Expeditionary Communication Squadron also assisted with training.
"We got a lot of support from civil engineers," Sergeant Morris said. "They built our facilities and some training materials for us. We also got a lot of help from the communications squadron who got us our telephone and network connections."
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