Luke Airmen train for combat

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Ryan DeCamp
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) --  Twelve Airmen from various career fields began a three-week military combative training course taught by Marine Corps instructors April 1 here.

The training is designed to teach Airmen skills used in combat, for self defense and work on physical training.

Some of the training includes learning hand-to-hand combat skills, pugil stick fighting, and rifle maneuvers, all of which can be used in combat. The trainees also run to and from each event in Airman Battle Uniforms, helmets and body armor, while carrying some of the equipment that will be used in other events.

"So far it's going great and they're learning a lot of stuff they never knew existed," said Pernell Stoney, the 56th Force Support Squadron Fitness Center director. "It's some really good training in that it builds up stamina and teaches the basic hand-to-hand movements. Many of the movements can also be used with a rifle in the event they're in a war zone and run out of bullets."

"We're definitely getting our butts kicked, and I think every day gets a little harder, but we just get used to it," said Airman 1st Class Eric Gentry, a 56th Component Maintenance Squadron avionics apprentice. "Single events alone don't break you down, but when you do them one after another at a fast pace it becomes really hard."

Each day starts at 6 a.m., ends at about 11:30 a.m. and is scheduled to conclude April 23. The trainees wrapped up testing for their tan-belts April 1, and will earn a green-belt by the time they finish the course. The intent is for Airmen to learn from the Marines stationed at Luke Air Force Base, and then teach these techniques in their units beginning in May.

Airmen Gentry joined the Air Force less than two years ago and said another benefit of the course is the leadership experience he has gained.

"We were all standing there at the end of the first day and the instructor looks around, points at me and says, 'You're the class leader,'" Airman Gentry said. "I have a feeling it's because I was the lowest ranking. This is a very new experience leadership wise, because it's demanding mentally and physically."

Mr. Stoney said the goal of the program is to train Airmen on base so they can teach Airmen from their units what they learned. He plans on having another formal training session like this one in the near future.

"The training brings the whole warrior concept into full focus," Airman Gentry said. "I wish more of the Air Force could do this. It brings people together. We've been together for three days and I feel closer to some of these guys than I do with even some in my shop. Physical activity brings people together and I think that really helps with the whole concept of being Airmen, or Marines in their case."