Marines train reservists in ground combat

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Scotty Sweatt
  • 916 SFS
Seymour Johnson AFB, NC --  by
916th SFS UPAR
On a normal day, most people wouldn’t think of U.S. Marines and U.S. Air Force personnel treading the same dirt together. However, these are anything but normal days. During the March Unit Training Assembly, the United States Marine Corps provided the benefit of their wealth of experience and expertise in ground combat skills to security forces members from the 916th Security Forces Squadron by conducting some very intense training at Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

This training reflects the direction in which US Air Force Security Forces personnel have been moving in response to the threats placed upon their current mission. To address this shift in operational concepts, personnel in the 916th SFS Operations element identified a need to enhance ground combat skills and provide practical and intense training for their defenders. 

Instructors from the Reserve Support Battalion at Camp Lejeune specialize in meeting the training needs of reserve military units, no matter the requirement.
“Whatever the requesting unit identifies as an area they need to train in, we make it happen,” said Sgt. Jody Mizell of the instructor cadre. Sergeant Mizell added that if the training need is not within their normal abilities, they will help facilitate requests with the appropriate organization. He said that they provide training for reserve units in all branches of the Armed Forces in preparation for deployments throughout the world.
Sergeant Mizell along with Sergeants Eric Barnhill and. Jeremy Tarrant conducted training with security forces members aimed at exercising and refreshing ground combat skills. The courses of study during these two days included land navigation and combat patrols. Combat patrols are conducted by small groups of security forces, or fire teams, and are used to move through unsecured and possibly hostile areas while conducting a mission. 

Capt. Jason Westmeyer, 916th SFS operations officer, said that the security forces mission is no longer “simply holding static positions within base perimeters”. Capt. Westmeyer said that this transformation has brought about a “need to be prepared for the missions we are tasked to carry out, many of which are outside the wire patrolling into hostile territory.” 

During this training, fire team members organized into patrol units and conducted operations through the swamps and woodlands of this eastern North Carolina base. The day was hot and humid and the hours were long, but the training was well received. Instructors utilized scenarios which allowed the patrols to be harassed by opposing forces and required the fire teams to navigate their way to specific objectives. Along the way, members were faced with situations in which they employed tactics that they had learned at the Security Forces Academy, and have since honed during real world operations, drill weekends and advanced training. 

“It was hot and we were really tired,” said Senior Airman Kara Stein. “But the training was fun.” Senior Airman Michael Smith said that he “learned a lot of new things and had a chance to practice things that I have never done before.” 

Staff Sgt. Kevin Brock said that he particularly enjoyed training on the “Australian Peel,” a maneuver used to break contact with larger, more heavily armed enemy forces. 

The training provided exposure to the physical and mental challenges of combat patrols for both first-term Airmen and experienced veterans alike. Master Sgt. David Crispino said the training was a great refresher and that he appreciated the opportunity to get such quality training for his younger troops. 

As with any training, safety always comes first. Medical personnel from the 4th Fighter Wing met this requirement and attended to the medical needs of members as they arose. Two young Airmen volunteered for the job and helped in providing medical assistance when needed. These Airmen were highly motivated as they accompanied teams through the woods on most missions, day and night, and were in close proximity at all times. There were a few minor injuries, but nothing that some rest, water and a little bit of moleskin wouldn’t fix. 

There is an old saying, “Experience is the best teacher, but has the highest tuition.” As training drew to a close on Sunday, personnel headed back to Seymour Johnson bringing with them these experiences to help protect the men and women of the 916th Air Refueling Wing and staying true to their creed, “Defensor Fortis”; Defenders of the Force.