Joint training initiative at Expeditionary Center prepares security forces Airmen for battlefield

Published Sept. 8, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Paul R. Evans
U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, security forces Airmen have been fighting on the joint operations battlefield.

The career field has evolved from air base defense operations to missions "outside the wire" with sister services including the U.S. Army, security forces have changed exponentially. Their transformation has given birth to a focus on technology and more combat-oriented training.

To provide security forces Airmen relevant education for an ever-changing battlefield, contingency skills instructors Tech. Sgt. Shaylin Butler and Staff Sgt. Cecil Evans, from the from the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's 421st Combat Training Squadron, partnered with Army Sgt. 1st Class Gary Johnson and his mobilized training team from the 3rd Training Support Battalion, 312th Regiment, Fort Meade, Md. Sergeant Johnson and his team were initially mobilized to the Fort Dix area of the joint base in order to train Soldiers to operate and care for the Blue Force Tracker, or BFT.

"Blue Force Tracker is a Global Positioning System-enabled system that provides military commanders and forces with location information about friendly and hostile military forces," Sergeant Johnson said. "It provides leaders at all levels with greater situational awareness, command and control, and aids in eliminating the time required to decipher the battlefield."

Sergeant Butler said he understood this type of technology is vital to security forces Airmen who have to conduct "outside the wire" missions. He then formulated a plan to bring this training to the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center.

"When I started this project over a year ago, I immediately solicited the assistance of Sergeant First Class Johnson and his staff of U.S. Army BFT trainers," Sergeant Butler said. "Sergeant Johnson guided me through the entire process of determining the type of hardware and software to purchase, including classroom setup."

Just recently, Sergeant Evans spent 30 days with Army BFT trainers learning the system. After completing this extensive training, Sergeant Evans said he is eager to teach deploying security forces Airmen how to digitally communicate on today's battlefield.

"Blue Force Tracker is a phenomenal system that allows the truck commanders and team leaders in a convoy operation to talk to each other and the tactical operations center in real-time," Sergeant Evans said. "This standardized system allows us to work with our sister services and receive mission updates, situational awareness, and ultimately mission success."

Sergeant Butler said this training effort is another example of the Expeditionary Center "breaking ground" by getting Airmen to teach a class not normally taught by Airmen.

"By doing this, it helps alleviate some of the demand placed on the Army by reducing the Air Force's demand for their training," Sergeant Butler said.

Currently, security forces Airmen are the only ones receiving this training at the Expeditionary Center and the 421st CTS. However, there are plans on the horizon to offer this training to all Air Force personnel, regardless of specialty.

In referencing the ability to build this training in a little more than a year's time, Sergeant Butler said, "Without exceptional support from the Expeditionary Center's leadership, network and facilities team, and especially Sergeant Johnson and his team, this class wouldn't be happening today."

Sergeant Butler said there are countless man-hours invested in this training, but the effort is well worth it. Both Sergeants Butler and Johnson believe their greatest contribution is having the privilege to give the warfighter quality training and easing the stress of knowing who's out there.

"It's about seeing the students get reunited with their families because of effective and relevant training," Sergeant Johnson said.