Kadena begins selective arming program

Airmen 1st Class Johnathan Meyer (left) and Gilbert Hardy challenge Senior Airman Charles Johnson during a base exercise Aug. 24 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Both Airmen took the selective arming course, which enables them to protect base members and assets. The base conducted a three-day exercise to demonstrate its ability to deploy and generate aircraft. All three Airmen are assigned to the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Darnell T. Cannady)

Kadena begins selective arming program

Airman 1st Class Tyler McCollom changes the force protection signs while Senior Airman Mary Osterman provides security during a base exercise Aug. 23 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Both Airmen took the selective arming course, which enables them to protect base members and assets. The base conducted a three-day exercise to demonstrate its ability to deploy and generate aircraft. Airman McCollom is a network application technician with the 18th Communications Squadron and Airman Osterman is an airfield systems technician with the 18th CS. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Darnell T. Cannady)

Kadena begins selective arming program

Published Sept. 4, 2007
By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) -- Kadena Air Base Airmen not assigned to security forces are now redefining the meaning of force protection by taking up weapons and the training that goes along with it to protect base resources.

A few units have already completed training with members of the 18th Security Forces Squadron through the selective arming program, which gives them the ability to respond immediately to an enemy threat.

"The SELARM program allows units to provide their own protection in a wartime scenario," said Capt. Sarah Bragg, an 18th SFS operations officer. "This program is very different from the augmentee program where folks come to work for us for a couple of months. SELARM allows units to keep their people at work until a situation arises where they're called to defend their squadron's resources."

Members of the 18th Communications Squadron, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 18th Maintenance Operations Squadron underwent specialized training in reporting attacks, setting up entry control points and protecting themselves, their squadron's members and resources to achieve their mission goals in a hostile environment.

"During the two-day training course, we taught SELARM personnel how to react to gunfire and move tactically around buildings," said Tech. Sgt. Raymond Marsh, the 18th SFS NCO in charge of training. "Members also learned security reporting procedures, fire control measures and air base defense."

The four squadrons had the opportunity to demonstrate their skills during a recent exercise.

"We ran some scenarios during the exercise to test the things our folks learned in training," said Capt. David Castor, the 18th Communications Squadron deputy commander. "The scenarios helped us identify the areas where we needed more training."

Since the program is still in its trial and error period, 18th SFS members are working closely with SELARM Airmen to work out any bugs in the system.

"The program will be wing-wide eventually," Captain Bragg said. "The greatest part about this program is Airmen stay at their squadrons and defend the critical facilities they are familiar with."

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Kadena begins selective arming program

Kadena begins selective arming program

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