Royal Air Force, U.S. Air Force Airmen train for real world as one

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Olivia Bumpers
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Moody's security forces and No. 1 Royal Air Force Regiment allies learned tactics, techniques and procedures from one another during the Global Eagle exercise Oct. 7-18 here.

Approximately 40 members of the RAF regiment spent the first week learning how 822nd Base Defense Squadron Airmen conduct military operations including land navigations, counter-improvised explosive device procedures, tactical combat casualty care and combatives. During the second week of training, both units conducted live-fire training and concluded the week with a 72-hour culmination exercise with scenarios mimicking situations that have happened while deployed.

"The RAF regiment performs missions that are very similar to what we do when deployed," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Sean Gray, 822d BDS NCO in charge of standards and evaluations. "It's pretty amazing to work with other nations and see how they handle the same situations we come across."

Gray also mentioned that the training was meant to be as realistic as possible.

"We send out multiple teams of both BDS and regiment forces to the military operations in urban terrain village, to fight off opposing forces," Gray said. "We also have simulated attacks at the Forward Operating Base Defender and send each squad on missions in the wood lines throughout base."

Each year, defenders from the 820th Base Defense Group take turns with the regiment to travel between Moody and the United Kingdom to conduct the training, allowing each unit to integrate and use tactics in a slightly different environment.

"Not only do we take turns training and deploying with each other, it gives us a chance to build bonds with the U.S. and the U.K. forces," said Flying Officer Mark Bateman, 1 Squadron RAF Regiment officer commander of C flight. "It's a great opportunity for us to exchange tactics and take what we learn from here and try to incorporate it into our training at home."

Bateman also mentioned the hours of training allowed each squadron to develop positive work relationships and have a better understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"It allows our young Airmen and squad leaders to experience and attack challenges in a different light because of the information being thrown at them during the training," said Staff Sgt. Lee Lanthorn, 822nd BDS NCO in charge of training.

"It's a blast to work with someone who basically does the same mission but is not necessarily under the same chain of command," he added.

Next year, the regiment will host the 820th BDG to train with them in the U.K. to continue exchanging techniques as well as allowing the opportunity to develop skills used in a deployed environment.