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Training to defend

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alex Miller
  • 355th Wing Public Affairs

The 355th Wing hosted various training sessions during Exercise Bushwhacker 21-07 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. 

This training encompassed learning about use of force and other rules of engagement, the Law of Armed Conflict, as well as practicing individual movement, team movement, searching techniques and weapons handling and detention. These are critical skills for Airmen as they learn to deal with situations they may face downrange. 

“The exercise is important here at Davis-Monthan because it is helping our defenders not only refine their base defense skills, it is allowing them to learn how to work with other Air Force Specialty Code's in developing base security as a team.” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Logan Goode, 355th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor. “When we incorporate everyone into base defense, we are ensuring everyone and everything inside our bases are secured.”

The training is part of the Air Force’s ongoing Agile Combat Employment academy designed to develop multi-capable Airmen and increase operational flexibility. 

“ACE operations may require Air Force units to deploy in small, quick moving teams, where every member must be prepared to directly defend against an attack.” said U.S. Air Force Maj. John Kepple, 355th SFS commander. “This exercise prepared 355th Wing personnel to fight and communicate as a team to defend a forward operating base.”

The 355th Wing is developing Airmen to meet the needs of the ever-changing global climate of war by forging an unmatched and unprecedented state of high-end readiness. This is being sustained by multi-capable Airmen that are able to execute dynamic force employment and agile combat employment in contested and austere environments.

“These Airmen were spun up and ready to go to work, many were already helping set up fighting positions and training newer augmentees,” said Goode. “These exercises will help make our force more competitive and lethal than ever before.” 

Exercising elements of ACE enables us to operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring Airmen and aircrews are postured to deliver lethal combat power across the spectrum of military operations.

“Integrated Base Defense means everyone on a base – from the Security Forces Airmen at the gate to a spouse calling in a suspicious vehicle – is responsible for security, whether at home station or deployed,” said Kepple. “As a reminder, any suspicious activity should be reported.”

The 355th Wing is leading the way in executing the priorities of Air Force and Department of Defense senior leaders by staying ready to exercise combat airpower anytime, anywhere through constantly evolving and enhanced training.