YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman 1st Class Bryan Hunt, 374th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, is carried to the ground by Master Sgt. David Day, 374th SFS alpha flight chief, and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Manning, 374th SFS military working dog handler, while being shocked in the back by the X26C taser during training Aug. 14. Members of the 374th SFS participated in taser training and some volunteered for live demonstrations of the non-lethal weapon. (U.S. photo by Airman 1st Class Eric Summers)

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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Jennifer Sherman, 374th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, pulls the prongs out of a volunteer for taser training with the guidance of Master Sgt. David Day, 374th SFS alpha flight chief, Aug. 14. Members from the 374th SFS unit participated in taser training and some volunteered for the live demonstration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Eric Summers)

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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Jay King, 374th Security Forces Squadron assistant flight chief, is shocked by the X26C taser during training Aug. 14. Several members from the 374th SFS unit participated in taser training and some members volunteered for a live demonstration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Eric Summers)

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374th Security Forces Squadron trains with tasers

Published Aug. 14, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Eric Summers
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Members of the 374th Security Forces Squadron participated in taser training here Aug. 14.

Several members of the unit learned how to operate the M26 and X26C tasers and other members participated in live demonstrations of the weapon by volunteering to be shocked.

"The X26C shoots out prongs that attach to the body and causes an override in all of you bodily functions causing you to lock up, while the M26 is applied directly and uses pain compliance which is extremely overwhelming," said Master Sgt. Dave Stevenson, taser training instructor.

The tasers provide security forces members with another non-lethal tool available to do their job.

"When I was hit with the X26C it felt like electricity was radiating through my body," said Master Sgt. Brett Hopkins, 374th SFS NCOIC of training. "It is scarier to me than pepper spray or a baton, but it is safer. After feeling it myself I know that it is very effective."