RIP/TOA

Tech. Sergeant David Walker, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron operations plans and programs manager, explains how to remove body armor under water during water egress training July 23, 2010, at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Water egress is a critical part of Relief in Place/ Transfer of Authority training; it teaches Airman how to stay alive if a vehicle were to overturn into water while on patrol. Sergeant Walker is deployed from McDill Air Force Base, Fla., he is a native of Cocoa, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane)

RIP/TOA

Staff Sgt. Pavel Kovalchuk 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron M-2 gunner, explains the functions of the Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver to 532nd ESFS squad members July 23, 2010 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The ROVER allows patrolmen to receive video feed from an unmanned aerial vehicle, an aircraft, during patrols. All members are deployed from Andrews Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane)

RIP/TOA

Senior Airman Ryne Ritchie, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron truck commander, inspects the lug nuts on an MRAP July 25, 2010, at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Preparation inspections are done before each patrol to ensure equipment, vehicles, and weapons are working properly. Airman Ritchie is deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., he is a native of Chino, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane)

RIP/TOA

Staff Sgt. Pavel Kovalchuk, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron M-2 gunner, inspects the M-2 50-caliber weapons system July 25, 2010, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. This system is inspected by the squad every time before going out on patrol to ensure it functions properly and accurately. Sergeant Kovalchuk is deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., he is a native of Lithuania, Russia (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane)

Defenders polish security skills

Published July 30, 2010
By Senior Airman Marianne E. Lane
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Even after extensive pre-deployment training, Airmen in some career fields must train on the local conditions at the forward location.

The 532nd Security Forces Squadron recently conducted Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority training, preparing newly deployed Force Protection Patrol members for the specific challenges they face here at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

"The importance of RIP/TOA training is to polish the specific skill sets for this unique mission, so Airman are prepared to enter the base security zone and to negotiate through the unique challenges they will encounter," said Capt. Michael Cohen, FPP officer in charge.

RIP/TOA training consists of a number of different categories, including water egress, combat lifesaver course, terrain denial, counter indirect fire, infra-red thermal scans, troubleshooting electronic equipment, recovery operations, and battle drills. All require urgency and precision, especially when these skills are put into action outside the wire. Airmen must also be knowledgeable of all gear, vehicles, and tools. Airmen can successfully conduct patrols on and off base.

"If we have a technical problem with a piece of equipment it gets fixed, if a vehicle won't start we transfer to another vehicle, the squad takes care of each other no matter what," said Master Sgt. Michael Poplewko, 532nd Security Forces Squadron FPP noncommissioned officer in charge .

Once trainers are confident in the Airmen's ability to apply all skills and knowledge, FP will start patrolling. When on patrol, FP has to be ready to encounter the challenges of vehicle complications, improvised explosive devices, weapon caches, while at the same time building positive relations by befriending people in the community.
"The relationships we have cultivated in the base security zone have yielded very specific information that has led to some of our largest recoveries to date," said Sergeant Poplewko.

Training is the building block for mission success; the 532nd ESFS has used this proven method time and time again, and they have received favorable results from their hard work and dedication.

"So many times I stand in awe at what we have accomplished. The squad leaders day in and day out have kept their Airmen motivated and focused. The Airmen amaze me with their ability to get the job done," said Sergeant Poplewko.