Ohio National Guard News

New training brings new opportunity for security forces Airmen

Story and Photos by Airman Ashley Williams, 121st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Senior Airman Cody Martin, a member of the 121st Security Forces Squadron, establishes security while 121st SFS Airmen set up a forward operating base during a training exercise Aug. 17, 2015, at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich. Airmen of the 121st SFS spent three days in a simulated deployed environment at Camp Grayling as part of their annual training. READ STORY

Senior Airman Sean White establishes security after receiving contact during a training exercise.

Airmen with the 121st Security Forces Squadron inspect
their Humvees before departing.

Airmen plan routes of approach to a simulated village.

Senior Airman Nicholas Collins runs for cover during a training exercise.

Airman 1st Class Brice Edstrom and Senior Airman Jacob Boseker provide suppressive fire with an M240B machine gun.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (08/06/15) — Airmen with the 121st Security Forces Squadron deployed to Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, for their annual training Aug. 6 - 21.

“The purpose of this training is to get our Airmen ready to deploy overseas at a moment’s notice,” said Tech. Sgt. Stephen Nace, a member of the 121st SFS. “We like to instill in them skills that allow them to accomplish deployed missions in a safe manner.”

The Airmen covered a wide gamut of training evolutions to include land navigation, squad movements, reactions to contact, weapons training, mounted and dismounted operations, and other small details for safety in a deployed location, Nace said.

“We simulate real-world battle events to stress the importance of leadership and decision making,” said Capt. John Haley, with the 121st SFS. “By the time they get called to combat, it won’t be the first time they’ve seen it, and they’ll be prepared for that challenge.”

In a new twist added this year, the Airmen were sent to Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, in Grayling, Michigan, to spend three days in the field as part of a simulated deployment experience.

“The Airmen were presented with an opportunity they haven’t seen before, to get used to going into the unknown,” Haley said. “They are the best-hearted, highly-motivated people in the Air Force.”

The Airmen endured three days of constant training, applying the skills they had learned up to that point.

“Every day was like a piece of the pie and now we’re sitting here with the whole pie,” said Airman 1st Class Trey McHenry, with the 121st SFS.

Together, the Airmen established their operation order and carried out their missions with background supervision from their instructors.

“To have the opportunity to teach them is so fulfilling it’s unbelievable,” Nace said. “Our Airmen are highly-educated and driven individuals looking to take on more responsibility, gain more knowledge and make themselves a more valuable asset to the unit as a leader, an Airman and a defender.”