Air warriors train for deployment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Griffin
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson Airmen added some valuable training to their skill sets as they prepare for upcoming worldwide deployments.

A class of about 50 participated in a three-day combat skills training course, administered by Anser Co. (whose cadres have had recent combat experiences), and were educated on topics ranging from convoy planning and unexploded ordnance recognition to self aid and buddy care.

CST aims to provide deploying Airmen with the knowledge and situational awareness they need to survive and thrive, regardless of location or duration of tour.

"Expeditionary Combat Skills Training is designed to help Airmen who do not train for combat, such as Security Forces and Combat Controllers, survive in hostile environments," said Master Sgt. Shawn Cox, 354th Security Forces Squadron.

"The most important thing I learned about during the course was convoy procedures," said Airman 1st Class Daniel Coomer, 354th Fighter Wing chaplain assistant. "You never know if you are going to need to take a convoy somewhere, and these skills are crucial for survival."

Airman Coomer wasn't alone in stressing the importance of the convoy operations portion of CST.

"My favorite part would have to be the convoy training," said Airman 1st Class Lance Egan, 354th Communications Squadron radio maintenance technician. "We were able to learn a lot and have a bigger hit of reality when it comes to what we'll be doing while deployed."

To help students understand the importance of communication during a convoy attack, the instructors gave each Airman two 10-round clips of blanks for their M-16s, and after two dry runs of proper exiting procedures and placement outside stationary Humvees, put them through a real-world convoy attack scenario.

"It teaches the Airmen tactics on how to survive ambushes and mortar attacks. It also teaches them the capabilities and characteristics of their assigned weapon, the M16A2," said Sergeant Cox.

Simulating a broken-down vehicle due to enemy fire, each group of Airmen were called on to demonstrate correct vehicle exit procedures and tactical placement using the vehicle as cover, all in the blink of an eye and with CST cadre serving as "OPFOR," short for opposing forces.

Students also learned proper procedures and techniques for challenging and searching suspicious individuals.

"Search and seizure techniques were a good thing to learn more about so that we know the proper way to approach and, if necessary, take down suspects," Airman Egan said.