Security Forces Training Focuses on Practical Moves, Safety

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennie Chamberlin
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Tech Sgt. Jason Knepper was laid out on the ground with a man sitting on his stomach. The suspect was reaching for Knepper's holstered gun, but before he could grab it Knepper flipped the suspect forward. Within seconds Knepper threw the suspect to the ground, and was able to get up and get away.

Knepper, 927th Security Forces Squadron, was working with cops during an Air Force Security Forces combatives training session at MacDill Air Force Base. The point of the training is to be ready for a real fight.

"When responding to a situation on base, it's easy to get in a wrestling match without even trying," said Captain William Beauchene, 927th SFS commander. "We've got to be able to defend ourselves, secure our weapon and take the suspect into custody without hurting ourselves or anybody else."

Based on Brazilian Jujitsu and Krav Maga, the newly-developed security forces combatives program is designed to focus on weapons retention and gaining a dominant position in the fight. Knepper, combatives course instructor, said that each move is subject to adjustments and improvements based on the input from officers in the field. This means tapping into the vast experiences of security forces members from the 927th SFS, who in addition to serving as reservists with the 927th Air Refueling Wing in Tampa, also serve in various civilian and law enforcement careers all over the country.

Armed with rubber weapons, the Airmen take turns as officer and aggressor battling one another in a struggle to gain control. Squad leaders gave pointers and tips instructing others on how to move in order to best gain an advantage in a fight. Most of all, they yelled encouragement on protecting their weapon at all cost, no matter how exhausted they were.

For these cops, the day started over four hours earlier with an early morning smoke session, an intense physical training session that included sprints, push-ups, burpees and other exercises combined with one purpose - to make everyone tired. "It's physical training to exhaustion," said Knepper. "You've got to be tired to fight."

Knepper said it's very rare to go to a fight fresh. At MacDill AFB, it's typical to engage suspects after chasing them through a mangrove or base housing, so Security Forces personnel have to be able to fight when they're already spent. Hours and hours of experience will help with that necessary conditioning. Training classes can be as long as five hours, and there will be class every Unit Training Assembly weekend, said Knepper. Security Forces squadrons will use the combatives training as part of their units' physical training program, he said.
Members say they find the new training essential.

"In the field, you never know what's going to happen with the enemy, whether they will fight or run," said Tech. Sgt. Susan Libertz, 927th SFS. "Either way, we'll be better prepared."