127th Wing defenders complete field training at home

FULLY TESTED

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gehrig Mitchell, a defender with the 127th Security Forces Squadron, Michigan National Guard, patrols a simulated base perimeter on an all-terrain vehicle at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, Aug. 6, 2024. The field training exercise took place on Selfridge ANGB tactical grounds when more than 40 security forces Airmen trained in simulated enemy attack response, perimeter defense, and refreshed proficiencies in specialized vehicle operations. U.S. AIR NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO BY TECH. SGT. ANDREW SCHUMANN

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By Tech. Sgt. Andrew Schumann

127th Wing Public Affairs

Defenders from the 127th Security Forces Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, completed a field training exercise to enhance skills in airfield defense, both at home and in deployed environments.

The five-day exercise began Aug. 5, 2024, on tactical grounds located at Selfridge ANGB. More than 40 security forces personnel trained in simulated enemy attacks, perimeter defense, and refreshed skills in the use of tools and vehicles. The training was designed to replicate challenges Security Forces personnel might encounter during a deployment to an austere location, such as limited resources and unpredictable threats.

“We conducted our annual training, which consisted of a multi-day field exercise, requiring defenders to deploy and secure a forward operating site for a minimum of 48 hours,” said Master Sgt. Austin Brown, the noncommissioned officer in charge of training for the 127th Security Forces Squadron. “The intent of this exercise was to test how our unit would deploy and survive in a multi-day exercise with limited resources available.”

During the exercise, defenders worked in small teams to practice securing specific areas, performing reconnaissance and participating in simulated firefights.

The scenarios required airmen to adapt swiftly and make decisions under pressure, applying their skills in small-unit tactics, communication and surveillance.

This provided defenders with critical training for conducting agile combat employment.

Agile combat employment, the ability to generate airpower and capabilities from multiple locations, is central to the Air Force’s strategy for rapidly addressing emerging threats and sustaining operations in diverse environments. Defenders play a vital role in ACE by establishing and maintaining perimeter security around bases and forward operating locations and the protection of aircraft, personnel and equipment in contested situations.

The training prioritized speed, flexibility and adaptability, requiring defenders to be ready to secure and defend air assets and people with limited infrastructure.

“The role of security forces is shifting away from being just centered on law enforcement and security to air base ground defense,” explained 2nd Lt. Deja Brown, security forces officer, 127th Security Forces Squadron. “The job is shifting to require a lot of setting up defense positions, digging trenches, and generally being out in the tactical environment.”

These changes reflect the need for Security Forces to be more adaptable, technologically equipped and capable of operating in a wide range of environments.

In addition to the field training tactics that were practiced, the exercise also focused on leadership and teamwork, with squads being formed and tasked with the development of site defense plans.

“Our Airmen were given a budget, resource list and commander’s intent in order to get them thinking on a strategic level to employ the effects of integrated defense with limited resources and capabilities”, Master Sgt. Brown added.

Emphasizing leadership development is a crucial aspect of the Security Forces’ training approach, ensuring Airmen are not only technically skilled, but also equipped to lead in challenging situations.