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Tactics competition tests skills of security forces for Rodeo 2011

  • Published
  • By By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol and Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Built with a humanitarian relief scenario by event organizers from the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's 421st Combat Training Squadron, the security forces tactics competition here for Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 tested the deployment skills of the Airmen.

"All of the teams who competed in this event were tested on their counterinsurgency and tactics skills," said Tech. Sgt. Luke Plemons, Rodeo umpire from the 421st CTS at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., where he serves as the flight chief for security forces operations. "It tested their abilities in rules of engagement, reaction to fire, security and combat first aid while escorting a simulated shipment of humanitarian aid to a village in a deployed setting.

"Overall the scenario displays a hostile environment with a realistic approach," Plemons said.

In following one of the teams through their turn of the tactics competition, a four-person team from the 436th Security Forces Squadron of Dover Air Force Base, Del., were observed staying focused with their M-4 carbines despite foggy gas masks completing each step of the scenario. They maintained contact with their control center via radio and convoyed to their pre-planned areas to drop the humanitarian aid and return.

"Some of the tactics and maneuvers were new to me," said Staff Sgt. Brian Locates, a member of the Charleston team. "It's good to know because I can take this [knowledge] with me when I deploy."

When each team started their turn, Tech. Sgt. Matt Butler, Rodeo umpire, briefed the teams on their scenario. Butler is also here from the 421st CTS where he serves as a security forces combat skills instructor.

"I would give them their mission briefing where we'd describe the details of the operations order as well as brief on safety and the rules of engagement," Butler said. "From there, they received their initial issue of equipment to complete the event."

Staff Sgt. Lucinda Collins, an instructor in the 421st CTS Combat Airman Skills Training Course, was in charge of supplying the security forces teams with gear required for the event.

"They would come to our area and get everything they need in protective gear, weapons to use and radios," Collins said.

Each team then loaded into vehicles for the three-vehicle convoy which followed a route to a simulated local village. Riding along in the convoy were more security forces instructors from the 421st CTS as well as Rodeo umpires managing the competition.

"We had a team of 421st security forces Airmen who served as a fire team for all the competitors," said Master Sgt. Bill Gaskins, one of the lead Rodeo umpires for the competition. Gaskins is the superintendent of security forces training with the 421st CTS. "Each team led the planning and execution of how the missions were completed, and executed the orders of action for them to take."

When the competitors reached the simulated village to deliver the relief supplies, they reacted to enemy fire, took on injured teammates, and departed the scene as quickly as possible to get to a "safe" location where they cared for anyone who was "hurt." At that location, Rodeo umpire Tech. Sgt. Victor Figueroa graded the teams on their skills in combat first aid and self-aid and buddy care.

"We checked at how well they treated the injuries," said Sergeant Figueroa, who is an Air Force independent medical technician with the 421st CTS. "The requirements are based on known Air Force requirements for care."

Once the teams completed the first aid portion, the scenario ended and the umpires tallied a final score. When the competition was all done, organizers said there are lessons learned from the competitors that can translate into better tactics, techniques and procedures for the security forces career field. It can also help improve training.

"After the same Rodeo competition in 2009, one of the TTPs we learned actually changed how security forces operate in the deployed areas," said Mark Huth, project officer for all security forces Rodeo events from Headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB, Ill. "The scenario we used for this year's tactics competition is based on current operations we see in the field. I think it tested the teams well on all their abilities."

In Air Mobility Rodeo 2011, 26 security forces teams competed for four titles in addition to best security forces combat tactics team. The other three include best combat endurance course team,best security forces combat weapons team and best security forces advanced marksmanship team.