MacDill Air Force Base -- MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – “Incoming! Incoming! Incoming! Take cover! Take cover!” Warnings rang out over the airwaves. Seconds later, shockwaves could be felt throughout the forward operating base, and the smell of smoke and jet propulsion fuel filled the air. “Contact! Contact! The ECP has been breached! I repeat, the ECP has been breached!”
This is just one of the many scenarios that Citizen Airmen from the 927th Security Forces Squadron at MacDill faced during a weeklong training exercise at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center in Starke, Florida, Jan. 9-13.
The 73,000-acre Camp Blanding JTC has a robust history dating back to 1939 and has been well established as one of the nation’s leading combat training centers. During WWII more than 800,000 soldiers received training at Camp Blanding prior to being forward deployed.
“The facilities here are as realistic as you can get,” said Maj. David Lydon, 927th SFS commander. “This week’s training scenario simulated a FOB with a small landing strip that was located in enemy territory.”
Upon arriving at the FOB, security forces members, also known as “Defenders,” immediately secured the area and set up defensive positions strategically located in and around the FOB. Throughout the week, the threats were not stop; within minutes of the defenders arrival, opposing forces launched their first of many attacks.
“The intent was to keep these guys on their toes, hitting them numerous times throughout the day with a variety of different scenarios,” said Chief Master Sgt. James Zuehlke, 927th SFS, chief. “This not only tests their skills but it also instills confidence in their ability to respond to a threat.”
Base defense is just one of the many tasks the defenders must master before becoming deployment ready. Defenders must also be knowledgeable on troop and supply movements, self-aid buddy care, rules of engagement, and prisoner of war/detainee procedures.
“Security forces isn’t just checking IDs at the gate; our job is to defend,” said Senior Airman Justin Ryan, 927th SFS defender. “I have deployed eight times, and this is very realistic on what we could encounter downrange.”
The defenders training also included time at Camp Blanding JTC POW Camp that simulated a realistic confinement installation that includes watchtowers, multi-level security perimeters and holding cells for enemy combatants.
“It’s very possible that we find ourselves in a situation where we capture and detain a prisoner. It’s also not uncommon to be deployed to guard a prison,” said Zuehlke. “This training area allows us to accomplish much of our required training in a single location.”
The 927th SFS is part of the 927th Air Refueling Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command associate wing located at MacDill.