The is nowhere to run or hide from the 52nd Security Forces Squadron

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Airman First Class Isaac Lotero and Airman First Class Britanny Chalut, 52nd Security Forces Squadron, work together to secure their team’s exit from a building during a room clearing exercise, Aug. 8, 2008. Both Airmen were part of a five-day combat skills training course that taught SFS Airmen to enter and clear buildings during special response situations. ( U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Logan Tuttle )

There is nowhere to run or hide from the 52nd Security Forces Squadron

Published Aug. 14, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Logan Tuttle
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The 52nd Security Forces Squadron recently sent several Airmen to a five-day combat skills training course. They learned building entry and clearing procedures, weapons retention and contact controls within Bitburg's former temporary living facility. Staff Sgt. Richard Straut, one of the CST instructors, said the location of the training offered them surroundings similar to what they would normally see on the job.

To ensure SFS members are ready for any unusual threats and know how to properly enter and clear a building should the need arise, these skills are being taught to the entire squadron.

"This training will be useful for any type of special response situation," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Fedak, another CST instructor who said he has previously used these techniques with emergency response teams at other bases.

Most of the skills came from the Army's Special Reaction Team training and are tailored to a variety of scenarios including hostage situations, barricaded suspects, terrorist situations, drug raids, high risk warrants or any circumstance where an active shooter is involved.

The instructors said that although each of the room clearing techniques are fairly simple, they are done constantly, in addition to practicing M9 reloading and transitioning from M4's to M9's. Great physical and mental effort is required, as well as patience to learn the skills in the course and instructors said the students gave it their all. "It takes a lot of effort and dedication to get to the level the students strive for," said Sergeant Fedak.