An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

AFCENT "Check Six" program promotes vigilance, readiness

  • Published
  • By Staff Report
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Airmen have long faced physical threats, both at home and especially in the deployed environment.

In light of these threats and to combat the complacency that can come from being comfortable in one's familiar surroundings, U.S. Air Forces Central Command force protection specialists have initiated a new program called "Check Six."

"We developed 'Check Six' to reinforce our daily responsibilities, promote vigilance, and combat complacency," said Lt. Gen. David Goldfein, U.S. AFCENT commander. "Success in this environment requires each of us to stay vigilant and be ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year."

The Check Six program derives its name from an old military phrase that means "watch your back" and because the math adds up - three plus two plus one. As such, the program emphasizes that, during an insider threat or active shooter situation, Airman warriors have three options, escape, barricade or fight back; two possible outcomes, live or die; and one chance to get it right.

To fight complacency and highlight the importance of vigilance, AFCENT facilitators are being posted throughout the theater to better train Airmen on the concepts of the program.

"The facilitators will help integrate the wing commander's local force protection measures with the AFCENT commander's Check Six program objectives," said Capt. James Taylor, AFCENT force protection/anti-terrorism officer.

Facilitators will focus on working with Airmen on effective and timely distribution of threat alerts, educational briefings, and guided battle drills, according to Taylor. AFCENT's goal is to help wings promote their existing force protection programs synchronized under a single Check Six umbrella.

"One of our main points we will hit here at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing is focusing on individual unarmed responses to an active-shooter situation," said Master Sgt. Charles Lambe, 386th AEW Check-Six NCO. "We need to raise individuals' awareness, increase their vigilance and resiliency."

While the battle drills make up the performance aspect of the program, there is a communication piece to the puzzle as well. This is where information sharing and educational briefings are vital and where, ultimately, Airmen participation is critical.

"We are calling it initial and re-occurring briefings," Lambe said. "We briefed 100 new people, catching them as they arrive on station. As soon as the plans are set in place, we will start our re-occurring briefings at individuals' work centers."

The briefings held at the work centers will incorporate the facilitators teaching the individuals the three options they have when they encounter an active-shooter situation, Lambe explains.

"We want to teach people not to freeze up or panic," Lambe said. "Hopefully after a few exercises, it will become second nature to respond."

Some of the things Airmen need to be aware of are: noting unfamiliar individuals; recognizing changes in behavior among coworkers and partners; and remembering to question things out of the ordinary such as unattended packages.

"Everyone needs to realize that it doesn't take our security forces men and women but other individuals to play the role to report the suspicious act or action, but being that sensor," said Master Sgt. Kevan Dent, 386th AEW anti-terrorism office NCO. "And with them, {individuals} they can help defend the base next to security forces."

Any type of attack, be it direct engagement by an enemy or indirect like an unattended bag laden with explosives, is made worse through complacency, the key negative factor that Check Six is designed to combat, Taylor said

"It is essential that every Airman accept the personal and individual responsibility to remain vigilant," said Chief Master Sgt. Robert Sealey, AFCENT command chief master sergeant. "If you're unprepared and have never considered what actions you should take in a crisis, when the crisis is happening, there is a good chance you will be a casualty."

Each base has a limited number of trained security personnel. Even in the best of circumstances, it can take minutes for them to respond and assess suspicious activities. Airmen may not have the luxury of waiting for security forces to respond and resolve a threat, so having an emergency plan is crucial.

"There is a reason why AFCENT trained many people for this program," Lambe said. "They want us to engage with all units and teach them with hands-on exercises. The Check-Six program will go right in line with active-shooter exercises, but it is more for the individuals that could possibly be a victim."

In most cases, even trained personnel can take between three and five seconds to register a new event and react to it, Taylor said. Preparedness can shorten this time and mean the difference between life and death. If every Airman is prepared to react, their chances of achieving success and walking away from the situation unharmed are greatly increased.

"I take very seriously each commander's responsibility to protect our people, assets and missions." Goldfein said. "Over the course of Check Six's implementation and development, I will be looking to each of you to carry out this critical mission objective."