Osan Airmen train to fight

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Boitz
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) --  Osan Air Base Airmen train throughout the year to survive and operate in war, and members of the 51st Security Forces Squadron here ensure the base is properly defended.
 
Upon arrival to Osan AB, officer and enlisted security forces members go through a six-day combat readiness course to get Airmen adjusted to the operating procedures and duties they face on a daily basis here.

"When they come to Osan, we have to get everyone on the same page," said Staff Sgt. Michael Huh, the NCO in charge of the combat readiness course. "Our basic fundamentals when we fight wars are to shoot, move and communicate. Without one of those fundamentals, our mission will fail. So we practice those fundamentals with everyone getting online, shooting, moving and communicating."

There are three phases of the course are the get tough phase, the get tactical phase, and the gut check phase. Each phase contains a variety of challenges that the class must complete individually and as a team. These phases consist of dismounted patrolling, individual and team tactics, live-fire exercises, verbal judo, defensive tactics, pressure point control tactics, combat self-aid and buddy care, close-quarters battle, defensive fighting positions, tactical communications, operation orders, and night operations.

Also incorporated into the course is hand-to-hand combat. Each instructor is
an Army certified level-I combatives instructor.

"It's a pretty high-speed course. It's pushing my body and mind more than it
has been in past training situations," said Senior Airman Anthony Almas, a new member of the 51st SFS. "This is the most intense training I have ever had."

Each Airman possesses the tools and knowledge to complete the course; however, there are times that students make mistakes. Every mistake costs the Airman and his team push-ups and rigorous exercises. The instructors also engage in the exercises to help motivate their students.

"Mistakes are made in training, and that is where we want them to be made. We can focus on weak areas so those mistakes aren't made again," Sergeant Huh said. "The course also helps to determine what training should be emphasized on later."

The crucible portion of the course is the culmination of the training week, and is a 24-hour field-training exercise designed to evaluate the students on what they have
learned throughout the week. It consists of numerous scenarios designed to
challenge the students both mentally and physically while in a combat-stressed environment.

"We all come from different backgrounds and different locations, but we are
expected to fight as a team, no matter how small or large," Sergeant Huh said. "Teamwork is the only way we can carry out our mission." 

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