SILVER FLAG ALPHA, Nev. -- Ninety-five security forces Airmen from around the country, included 512th
Airlift Wing Reservists, attended the 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron's
last Base Security Operations course at the Silver Flag Alpha Range Complex
outside of Las Vegas Dec. 6-20, 2014.
The Airmen not only received
critical pre-deployment skills during their course, but they unknowingly became
part of history, bringing closure to a long line of defenders who came before
them, and signaling the end of an era as the 99th GCTS prepares to close its
doors in early 2015.
Since its first class in 1983, the primary mission
of the 99th GCTS has been to prepare Security Forces Airmen for combat by
instructing tactical courses aimed at providing Airmen with mission-specific
skills to defend airbases around the globe. On average, the 99th GCTS conducts
10 to 12 courses per year, training approximately 3,000 students
annually.
"We continuously update our training to include the newest
tactics, techniques, and procedures for different theaters," said Tech. Sgt.
Markus Mindoro, 99th Ground Combat Training integrated base defense flight
chief. "This environment is perfect for teaching defenders what they need to
know for missions they will face downrange."
The range complex where
training takes place, known as Silver Flag Alpha, consists of 12 ranges capable
of supporting all small arms fire in the Air Force inventory, a Military
Operations in Urban Terrain village, a bare base tent city, and a maneuver
area.
The last students to attend the 17-day BSO course here were Airmen
from the 512th Security Forces Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, the
403rd SFS at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, and the 434th SFS at Grissom Air Reserve
Base, Indiana. They learned 23 core security forces tasks as part of their
pre-deployment training.
Among these tasks were base operations, land
navigation, dismounted tactics and patrolling, vehicle convoys and mounted
operations, urban operations, static defense, entry control point operations,
and basic medical techniques they may be called to use as first
responders.
"I've had a blast doing this training so far," said Senior
Airman Luis Reyes, Base Security Operations course student. "The instructors
make the information fun so that we are actively engaged. The training seems so
real with all the simulated explosions and fire fights, which really
helps."
Currently, the 99th GCTS is one of eight Security Forces Regional
Training Centers that conduct a variety of courses designed to ensure SF Airmen
accomplish their mission and training requirements both at home station and
while deployed.
"Nothing can replace the job satisfaction you get when
you see students return from a deployment, to include hearing from our
leadership that our students used what we taught them downrange," Mindoro says.
"This is my second time at an RTC, and the satisfaction I get is the same [as
the first time]."
In preparing for the 99th GCTS closure, Air Force
officials partnered with the U.S. Army, specifically the 1st Armored Division at
Fort Bliss, Texas, to create a center that would help align common security
tactics, techniques and procedures used by all U.S. armed forces.
For
Mindoro, the expected closure strikes close to home.
"I've taught at
Silver Flag for three and a half years, and I love it," he says. "I will miss
the esprit de corps that my team has built. We have a tight-knit and diverse
group of cadre here."
Once the 99th GCTS and the other RTCs shut down,
BSO training will be conducted at the new Desert Defender Ground Combat
Readiness Training Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. The facility will be one of
three RTCs dedicated to training all Air Force security forces Airmen, to
include Air Reserve Command or Air National Guard members.
Although the
location will change, Mindoro says the training students receive will still be
the best the Air Force has to offer.
"I feel that our students have
learned a lot and have shown they're able to apply [their knowledge] in the last
17 days at Silver Flag Alpha," he said. "Every class we've taught, including
the last class, has been a significant part of what we've done here."
For
Mindoro, the closing of Silver Flag Alpha not only signals an end to a 31-year
era but also that of his cadre status. He is expecting to move to a new
assignment in early 2015.