News>‘Less than lethal’: How defenders prefer to protect
Photos
Airman 1st Class Christopher Padilla, right, attacks fellow 8th Security Forces Squadron member Senior Airman Tyson Embley during expandable baton training at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 17, 2012. Each student fought against “Red Man” to practice their newly-acquired “less than lethal” skills for 90 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Airman 1st Class Edward Carter, 8th Security Forces Squadron member, follows through a strike with an expandable baton during training at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 17, 2012. Carter joined the security forces career field to help protect people. Using “less than lethal” methods is one way he may accomplish this throughout his career. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Senior Airman Travis Spears, right, charges at fellow 8th Security Forces Squadron member Airman 1st Class Warren Malcolm during expandable baton training at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 17, 2012. Although Security Forces members are prepared to use deadly force to protect and defend, they prefer to use “less than lethal” methods to match the threat of certain situations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Airman 1st Class Christopher Padilla, 8th Security Forces Squadron member, takes a deep breath before resuming his attack on a fellow 8th SFS Airman during expandable baton training at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 17, 2012. Other “less than lethal” methods security forces members train to use for controlling aggressive situations include Tasers and rifle butt strokes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Staff Sgt. Frank Simpson, center, 8th Security Forces Squadron security forces trainer, demonstrates how to fend off multiple attackers with an expandable baton during training at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 17, 2012. Kunsan security forces members also use other “less than lethal” techniques including Tasers and rifle butt strokes to control aggressive but non-lethal situations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Airman 1st Class Christopher Padilla, right, attacks fellow 8th Security Forces Squadron member Senior Airman Tyson Embley during expandable baton training at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 17, 2012. Each student fought against “Red Man” to practice their newly-acquired “less than lethal” skills for 90 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Airman 1st Class Patrick Donaldson, left, 8th Security Forces Squadron member, charges into a fellow defender during expandable baton training at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 17, 2012. In addition to this charging technique, the members also learned how to properly use their baton against single and multiple attackers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
by Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
8/22/2012 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- At only 20 years old, Airman 1st Class Edward Carter is responsible for protecting the lives of thousands of Airmen stationed at Kunsan Air Base, dozens of F-16 Fighting Falcons and countless other assets here.
He and hundreds of other 8th Security Forces Squadron Airmen stand ready, around the clock, to respond to any danger. Although prepared to use deadly force to protect and defend, they instead aim to control situations through "less than lethal" methods.
Several of these patrolmen underwent training Aug. 17 to learn proper use of the expandable baton, one of several techniques that don't have a fatal outcome.
"This type of pain compliance gives our defenders just another tool to use to resolve problems," said Staff Sgt. Frank Simpson, 8th SFS security forces trainer. "Batons increase our ability to defend ourselves and others; they are used when the subject has become assaultive, but their actions are not perceived by the officer or sentry to cause serious physical injury or death."
He added that batons are one of the last resorts before lethal force, but he has yet to see a situation escalate to either level in his nine years working Security Forces.
The annual expandable baton training covers various proper striking techniques and taking on single and multiple attackers. Security forces Airmen must give loud and clear vocal commands when dealing with subjects to give them the chance to comply.
"During our initial technical training, we're taught to be assertive," said Simpson, "but being loud and aggressive comes more easily after dealing with different situations on the job."
After learning the proper techniques, each student fought against a fellow student dressed as "Red Man" for 90 seconds. This padded suit allows for a realistic training scenario since the 8th SFS Airmen can practice their newly-acquired skills without holding back. When Red Man fought back or resisted, they had to apply more pressure.
"This training is spot-on because it lets us experience how much force is necessary to detain a subject," said Carter. "It changes according to their behavior. Batons quickly let them know they need to back off and comply. It takes getting into a mindset that, 'Hey, I might not want to apply this much force, but I will do what I have to in order to keep everyone safe."
Before making the decision to use the baton in aggressive situations, security forces Airmen try other less than lethal methods such as Tasers and butt strokes with their rifles.
After completing a 13-week training course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, security forces Airmen are entrusted to guard the gates and patrol U.S. Air Force bases and assets around the world. This type of continual training ensures they are prepared to protect and defend at a moment's notice.
