New training brings new opportunity for Security Forces Airmen

U.S. Airmen with the 121st Security Forces Squadron inspect their vehicles before departing for Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich. Aug. 17, 2015. The Airmen spent three days at Camp Grayling in a simulated deployed environment as a part of their annual training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Ashley Williams/Released)

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New training brings new opportunity for Security Forces Airmen

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cody Martin, with the 121st Security Forces Squadron, establishes security while 121st SFS Airmen set-up a Forward Operating Base during a training exercise Aug. 17, 2015 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich. The Airmen spent three days in a simulated deployed environment as a part of their annual training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Ashley Williams/Released)

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New training brings new opportunity for Security Forces Airmen

U.S. Airmen with the 121st Security Forces Squadron plan routes of approach to the village during a training exercise Aug. 17, 2015 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich. The 121st SFS Airmen spent three days at Camp Grayling in a simulated deployed environment as a part of their annual training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Ashley Williams/Released)

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New training brings new opportunity for Security Forces Airmen

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Sean White, with the 121st Security Forces Squadron, establishes security after receiving contact during a training exercise Aug. 18, 2015 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich. The 121st SFS Airmen spent three days at Camp Grayling in a simulated deployed environment as a part of their annual training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Ashley Williams/Released)

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New training brings new opportunity for Security Forces Airmen

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brice Edstrom and Senior Airman Jacob Boseker, with the 121st Security Forces Squadron, provide suppressive fire with an M240B machine gun during a training exercise Aug. 19, 2015 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich. The 121st SFS Airmen spent three days at Camp Grayling in a simulated deployed environment as a part of their annual training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Ashley Williams/Released)

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New training brings new opportunity for Security Forces Airmen

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Collins, with the 121st Security Forces Squadron, runs for cover during a training exercise Aug. 19, 2015 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich. Airmen with the 121st SFS spent three days in a simulated deployed environment at Camp Grayling as a part of their annual training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Ashley Williams/Released)

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New training brings new opportunity for Security Forces Airmen

Published Aug. 28, 2015
By Airman Ashley Williams
121st Air Refueling Wing

RICKENBACKER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ohio -- Airmen with the 121st Security Forces Squadron deployed to Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich. for their annual training Aug.6 through Aug. 21, 2015.

"The purpose of this training is to get our Airmen ready to deploy overseas at a moment's notice," said Tech. Sgt. Stephen Nace, an AT instructor with the 121st SFS. "We like to instill in them skills that allow them to accomplish deployed missions in a safe manner.'"

The Airmen covered a wide gamut of training evolutions to include land navigation, squad movements, reactions to contact, weapons training, mounted and dismounted operations, and other small details for safety in a deployed location, said Nace.

"We simulate real world battle events to stress the importance of leadership and decision making," said Capt. John Haley, with the 121st SFS. "By the time they get called to combat, it won't be the first time they've seen it, and they'll be prepared for that challenge."

In a new twist added this year, the Airmen were sent to Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich. to spend three days in the field as part of a simulated deployment experience.

"The Airmen were presented with an opportunity they haven't seen before, to get used to going into the unknown," said Haley. "They are the best-hearted, highly motivated people in the Air Force."

The Airmen endured three days of constant training, applying the skills they've learned up until that point.

"Every day was like a piece of the pie and now we're sitting here with the whole pie," said Airman 1st Class Trey McHenry, with the 121st SFS.

Together, they established their operation order and carried out their missions with background supervision from their instructors.

"To have the opportunity to teach them is so fulfilling it's unbelievable," said Nace. "Our Airmen are highly educated and driven individuals looking to take on more responsibility, gain more knowledge and make themselves a more valuable asset to the unit as a leader, an Airman and a defender."