Security Forces Airmen of the Iowa Air National Guard (ANG) are at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in Michigan for their annual training.
Seventy-two members comprised of the 185th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) and 132nd Wing will undergo a two-week exercise to hone their tactical skills and prepare to protect Air Force installations and troops, according to a July 16 National Guard news release.
Security Forces Airmen are the primary base defense and law enforcement for Air Force units. Their skills are utilized on deployments nationwide and abroad.
During the first week of the two-week training course, the 72 defenders will mainly focus on executing urban operations techniques and further developing their expeditionary weapon training requirements, according to the release.
“Expeditionary skills training includes reconnaissance, combat patrols, ambushes, assaults, and area capture and recovery. They also practice close-quarters battle scenarios,” the release stated.
Air National Guard Captain Casey Ryan, Commander of the 185th Air Refueling Wing Security Forces Squadron, said being away from the unit allows the members to focus on their training.
“Bringing our unit to the CRTC allows us to be extremely efficient with our annual training. They have facilities to work train, sleep and eat all in the area,” Capt. Ryan said.
Capt. Ryan said the training center provides facilities they do not have at the home station.
“(What) we also have access to with a short drive is full distance firing range for our heavy weapons, and also the ability to take out our rifles to 300 to 400 meters which we can’t do home station,” he said.
The CRTC also features a small arms range, training classrooms, and weapons storage facilities.
“Additionally there’s a full Mount facility which is fairly comprehensive and kind of replicates an airbase, which again most guard bases don’t have,” Capt. Ryan said.
Capt. Ryan added that the Airmen must complete over 200 hours of annual training and recurring qualifications for all the weapons and equipment they use.
He also said that the training also benefits the Iowa ANG Airmen by ensuring that they are prepared for any changing threats the military faces.
Senior Master Sgt. Tony Jensen, superintendent of the 185th ARW Security Forces Operations, said that the longer annual training trips allow the servicemen to put more emphasis on cooperation and training together as a unit.
The training will culminate in a 24-hour field training exercise against simulated opposing forces at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain village.