SFS gets locked, loaded

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer
  • 919th Special Operations Wing
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  Speed, shock and violence of action were exercised by wing security forces during Military Operations in Urban Terrain Training at Eglin Air Force Base Aug. 5.

MOUT training involves rapid entry into hostile environments to take advantage of the element of surprise.

It's very pedal to the medal, said Tech. Sgt. William Stapp, 919th Security Forces Squadron fire team member. Speed is more important than stealth for this type of entry.

Team members practiced the fundamentals of clearing buildings in search of insurgents to ensure safe passage for members.

"Anything can happen," said Sergeant Stapp. "You need to able to react accordingly."

Second-guessing oneself can be the difference between life and death when executing such measures in combat.

"The time that you use to think could possibly cost you your life," said Senior Master Sgt. Tim Lawrence, 919th SFS fire team member.

"You have to rely on your training," he said.

The training focused on situational awareness and attention to detail.

"We're honing in on and building our second nature - our gut instincts," said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Webster, 919th SFS fire team member.

"When you're in a hostile situation, there are so many thoughts going through your head," he said. "Focus is crucial to completing the mission safely and effectively."

During training, a team member climbed into the rafters of a building to test the awareness of the group. People have the tendency to develop tunnel vision and look at their height and below, Sergeant Stapp said. This tactic trains the team to look up.

This refresher training is similar to missions performed in theater.

"We have to protect the area outside the base and anywhere the enemy can launch ground-to-air missile attacks, what we now call the SAM (surface-to-air-missile) footprint," said Sergeant Stapp.

Air Force security forces are going "outside the wire" when patrolling and clearing buildings outside the installation parameter, he said.

Along with enhancing readiness and reaction skills, the training was also a valuable trust-building exercise.

"You have to learn the abilities of the people beside you, and trust that they'll be there," said Sergeant Lawrence.

"All of our exercises involve complete and total trust in our teammates," said Sergeant Stapp. "Without it, nothing can be accomplished."

Overall the training encompasses three points that seem plain and simple, but are, in essence, key points to survival.

"We're taught to react, adapt, and overcome to reach our objective," said Sergeant Webster.