824th BDS takes deploying Airmen under their wing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Eighty-four Airmen from six bases began pre-deployment training at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., May 14 in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan with the 824th Base Defense Squadron.

The 84 Airmen, many from the 820th Base Defense Group's sister unit, the 105th Security Forces Squadron at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., will train side by side with their 824th BDS counterparts for six weeks.

The training these Airmen receive at Moody is standardized to meet deployment requirements. The 84 Airmen would typically be sent to separate regional training centers to receive pre-deployment training. However, the 820th BDG has the resources to meet these requirements and took the opportunity to build relationships that will benefit the units down range.

"In the 820th BDG, we train all the time to meet those requirements," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Meade, 824th BDS training NCO. "To have them here to train with us is great. This way they can become part of the team."

"We are taking them under our wing to get them spun up on what we do," he added. "We show them exactly how we do things, so when we get down range, everything runs smoothly. I think it is a must to train and deploy together like this."

The training will include weapons familiarization, combatives, and tactical movement and shooting. As one group of Airmen spent hours practicing combatives in Kevlar vests and helmets, another ran through a shoot, move and communicate course using non-lethal marking ammunition.

"It is a great experience to come and train here," said Airman 1st Class David Peters, 355th Security Forces Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. "They have a different mission than us. We don't do a lot of this training, and they don't do regular law enforcement. It's great to learn and interact with them."

However, training wasn't the only thing Airmen gained while training at Moody. Airmen from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Davis-Monthan, Pope Field, N.C., Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and Stewart Air National Guard Base took the opportunity to trade deployment experiences.

"It has been a good opportunity to network," said Airman 1st Class Jake Lilieholm, 440th Security Forces Squadron Pope Field, N.C. "I have met Airmen from all around the country."

"I think this is great training that everyone should go through," he added." These guys are pretty high speed. Many of them are air assault and jump qualified."

For one of the instructors who is also deploying, training together is a key part of bringing these Airmen to train at Moody.

"These guys will deploy with us, so by training with us now, we gain continuity," said Tech. Sgt. Dustin CrossManhart, 824th BDS operations NCO. "They will be trained to the same standards as us."

"I think it is great to get everyone training together," he added. "This way everyone has the same understanding of the mission."

The 84 Airmen will train like they fight, side by side with the 824th BDS. The six weeks of training will not only certify Airmen, but also prepare them for their part in the mission down range.