Air commandos learn martial arts from Marines

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kevin Owen
  • 16th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) --  Beaten, bloodied and loving it. It’s the best way to describe the 20 battlefield Airmen who went toe-to-toe in hand-to-hand combat here, Oct. 17-28.

Air commandos from Air Force Special Operations Command units around the world gathered at the 720th Special Tactics Group here to learn from three of the Marines’ best martial arts instructors.

The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program combines 10 separate forms of martial arts into a four-fighting discipline to sharpen the mind and body: unarmed combat, edged weapons, weapons opportunity, and rifle and bayonet.

The Marines have implemented a belt system for progression in martial arts aptitude ranging from tan, gray, green, brown and black. Marines wear these belts as part of their utility uniform.

Upon completion, 19 of the 20 air commandos qualified for green belt, a rank reserved for staff sergeants and above. The green belt rank also qualifies the air commandos to be close-combat instructors.

The graduating class included combat controllers, special operations weathermen, combat aviation advisors and special tactics officers. They will now be able to instruct other Airmen in close-combat tactics and techniques.

“These techniques can save lives.” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Shane Franklin, the program's lead instructor. “I also can assure any commanding officers that their units will benefit from its members completing this course. They will be more capable in any combat situation and more disciplined in their daily activities.”

The program blends disciplines including judo, karate, jujitsu, and bayonet and knife-fighting techniques. The course enhances the physical conditioning and self-defense tactics of participants potentially saving their lives when deployed.

“The fighting styles these Airmen are learning today give them more options than the use of deadly force,” said Col. (Dr.) James Wright, 720th STG group surgeon. “In many situations, we are dealing with individuals who are not the enemy, per se, but circumstances have created a confrontational situation.”

A lieutenant with a special operations weather team echoed Colonel Wright’s sentiment.
“I have put more tools in the box that might just keep my team and I safe,” he said.

The Marine Corps implemented MCMAP across the corps in 2000.

The goal was to improve warfighting capabilities, enhance self-confidence and esprit de corps, and further instill a warrior ethos.

(Capt. Tom Montgomery, AFSOC public affairs, contributed to this article)