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Air Force combatives teaches self-defense

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michael Means
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTWEST ASIA --  When being confronted you may find the only way to defend yourself is your ability to fight back.

Check Six offers Air Force combatives classes to deployed service members at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing to learn basic concepts and principles to defend against aggressors.

"This class will not turn you into a mixed martial arts fighter but it will provide you with tools to protect yourself in a physical confrontation," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Johnson-Dean, an Air Force combatives instructor assigned to 380 AEW Check Six.

This course consists of strikes, joint manipulations, vascular chokes, escapes, combos and drills to give the students tools to protect themselves in a fight.

Air Force Senior Airman Cherelle Doss, a services journeyman assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, signed up for the class to learn self-defense and stay mentally and physically ready to protect herself.

"This class has taught me how to protect myself, especially as a female, and how to react to any given situation at any moment," said Doss. "The instructors are awesome and take their time to prepare us for real-life events and make sure we understand what is being taught before moving on to the next lesson."

The mission of the class is to train all Airmen to take the appropriate course of action in a crisis situation and survive.

"We enhance individual defense postures through better preparedness and performance of battle drills," said Johnson-Dean. "Better informed and drilled Airmen with mindsets geared for quick responses are more capable of making life-saving decisions in a crisis situation."

Check Six cadre are security forces by trade and tasked with keeping all base personnel in the "defend the base" mindset, said Johnson-Dean.

"I believe this course gives you the best basic understanding of self-defense," said Johnson-Dean. "The principles we teach are simple enough for those who have no prior self-defense training to quickly learn and yet are so effective that you see them used by martial arts experts worldwide."

The course encourages members to maintain a high level of fitness in order to outperform their opponent. Combatives can be used to, not only build an Airman's ability to defend themselves, but also as a team building event.

"Combatives is one of those courses you take, everywhere with you, because you never know what danger may lie ahead of you," said Doss. "You want to be able to protect yourself at all times. And, I think it could help save you or others who may be in danger."