New training equals better forces

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Security Forces members completed a week-long High Risk Response Training here June 25.

HRRT is a new and improved active shooter trainer course that instructs base security personnel to neutralize a high-risk threat. The course is being taught across all of Pacific Air Forces to meet the challenges now faced in today's Air Force.

HRRT uses basic tactics, movements and formations as previous active shooter training courses. However, the fundamental difference is that training no longer is done as a measure of containing the threat, and instead demonstrates the benefits of neutralizing real world threats as they occur.

The 40-hour course, offered mainly to supervisors, takes place inside and outside of the classroom. It offers SF members of PACAF a hands on experience of Special Weapons and Tactics training.

Approximately 66 percent of the course is hands on. Upon completion, Airmen have a new respect of how these tactics might be useful in a crisis.

Cris Mace, an Analytical Services Inc. instructor, is part of a three-man mobile training team that specializes in teaching HRRT. Mr. Mace along with his team helped develop and implement this particular version of the course.

"As a training team, we took the best tactics and fit what was relevant to security forces into their training," said Mace.

The move from containment to more aggressive, offensive tactics has been implemented, since containment often proves costly in terms of lives. The active shooter scenario is normally not long and drawn out, at least not naturally.

Tech. Sgt. Robert Brown, 354th Security Forces Squadron, military working dog section NCOIC, had the privilege of taking part in this week's HRRT. Of the Airmen who have completed the course, most have expressed a sense of accomplishment.

"Basically they've taught us a whole new way to approach an active shooter scenario, from the entry to neutralizing the threat to save lives," said Sergeant Brown.

HRRT is an incredible tool. Instructors who have had the opportunity to participate in this week's training, both in and out of the classroom, now have the skills necessary to train others.

Acting as standing First Sergeant during the new training, Master Sgt. Byron Braselton, 354 Security Forces Squadron, Training Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructor, has participated in other active shooter training to include exercises with local police and the Alaska State Troopers.

"It's going to give them the capability to react to the situation in a quick and timely manner without having to call additional forces or a special team that doesn't exist," said Sergeant Braselton. "We are training our people to make decisions, react in the fastest manner they can without waiting for the cavalry to come."

Security Forces are trained to do their job and do it well. Training courses like HRR give base forces the added skills to stay one step ahead of the threat, which is especially important when looking at the role of today's Air Force as an expeditionary Air Force.