SFS and local police strengthen bonds with first-time training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nora Anton
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Members of the 354th Security Forces Squadron trained with local civilian law enforcement to cultivate and sharpen their driving skills April 27 on the Sierra Loop of the flightline.

"This is the first time Eielson Security Forces has participated in drivers training with local law enforcement agencies," said Master Sgt. Shawn Cox, 354th SFS NCOIC flight operations. "We're already coordinating the next joint training sessions for later this summer."

The multi-agency evasive vehicle training consisted of the police departments of Eielson, Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, North Pole, and the Alaska State troopers.

Members of the agencies lined in their police vehicles to race through an evasive vehicle operations course littered with orange cones, sharp turns and more, set up by the Fairbanks Police Department EVOC instructors Officer Jeromey Lindhag and Lt. Douglas Whorton.

This basic course is to test the driver's observation, reflex and decision-making skills.

"The trainees learn to avoid front-wheel skid, learn about centrifugal force, and learn emergency lane changes and to anticipate surprises like a child running for a ball out into the street," said Officer Lindhag.

Although Fairbanks Police officers are required to have annual EVOC training, this is something security forces members aren't normally exposed to, said Sergeant Cox.

"This course is awesome for our Airmen. We are always looking for training opportunities; there are lessons to be learned and those lessons and skills could potentially save lives," he said.

To get the most out of EVOC, room is essential and while Fairbanks Police Department supplied the instructors, Eielson supplied the much-needed space.

"The military's assets are definitely beneficial to local law enforcement agencies," said Officer Lindhag. "We have been limited by lack of a location to do this kind of training, so it was great for us to come out and use Eielson's wide-open area."

The new-found inter-operability between agencies brought nothing but positive attitudes with an even more positive outlook for the future.

"You learn a lot--you might not have to use this everyday being a military cop," said Airman 1st Class Randy Hickey, 354th SFS patrolman, "but they bring us experience we don't necessarily have, which can be beneficial in real-world situations."

Airman Hickey said the learning works both ways.

"We are teaching them things they might not use and vice-versa."

It seems opinions on the benefits to training together worked both ways as well.

"Hopefully this will open doors to provide additional training between civilian and military law enforcement," said Officer Lindhag. "We can learn a great deal from each other."