KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Wolf Pack Security Forces members and augmentees work together during base-wide exercises throughout the year to sharpen their ability to ‘Fight Tonight’ and defend the base.
“During augmentee training, Airmen are taught everything from basic Law Enforcement to Air Base defense,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Woodhouse, 8th Security Forces Squadron augmentee trainer.
Fifty to 80 Airmen are called from 12 units across the 8th Fighter Wing to train alongside 8th SFS to supplement base defense in the event of a contingency.
“The augmentees are very important to the Wolf Pack mission, we can't win without them, I feel that the augmentee program truly embodies the Wolf Pack mindset,” stated Woodhouse.
The job of defending the base mainly falls on the wing’s 8 SFS, however if there is a big enough threat to the base’s security, they might need extra personnel from other units to form a more robust force.
“The augmentees typically do very well during the exercises especially coming from other career fields,” said Master Sgt. Christopher Wright, 8 SFS, Wing Inspection Team member. “Working with other career fields assigned here gives our younger Airmen an understanding of the Wolf Pack’s mission and what those career fields do to ensure mission accomplishment”
The training is not unique to the 8th Fighter Wing; other Air Force units also train augmentees for base defense duty.
This training is known as the augmentee and selarm program, and 8th Security Forces Squadron members hold a training session each month at the base, Woodhouse said.
“I thought the training was easy as long as I applied myself and understood the importance of the training,” said Senior Airman Stacey McRobbie 8 Maintenance Squadron Non-Destructive Inspection tech inspector. “I had really good instructors who cared about the subject.”
The augmentees learned how to detain and handcuff prisoners, use tactical radios and briefed on Air Force policies on the use of force. They were taught rules of engagement, proper treatment of enemy prisoners of war and combat skills such as moving under fire individually or by teams.
“Being an augmentee is important because everybody should be able to defend the base,” McRobbie said. “It’s always a good experience working with SFS and getting to know their job as well as working with other people and learning about their career fields.”
“Augmentees bring a lot of reinforcement and manpower to Kunsan that we can’t cover every day,” said Staff Sgt. Tia Garland 8 SFS Base Defense Operations Center controller. “We learn a lot from each other during our shifts. The skills and experience augmentees bring to the table not only help us protect Kunsan, but also makes us aware to the different careers the Air Force has.