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Force Protection Airmen receive vital proficiency training

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Burke Baker
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Fifteen members of the 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron's Force Protection received weapons proficiency training here this week with combat arms instructors from the 387th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

According to Maj. Thomas McGillicuddy, the commander of the 387th ESFS, it's a very rare occurrence in the deployed area of responsibility to have Force Protection Airmen perform weapons proficiency training in-country multiple times with security forces.

"We had them out receiving weapons proficiency training so that they can better integrate with our security forces during a higher threat condition so they can act as security forces members on post if necessary," he said. "We took them out on the range and conducted the same level of proficiency firing that we would do ourselves back at home station."

McGillicuddy stressed that his goal was to have the Force Protection Airmen fully understand the capabilities of their weapons. Specifically, how to deploy those capabilities, the secondary and tertiary areas security forces members consider when they deploy their weapons either in combat or in support of day to day missions that occur on any installation.

Tech Sgt. Seth Jones is deployed as a member of the 387th Force Protection team. He thought the training provided greatly enhanced his ability to react and respond during times of increased threats.

"As Force Protection, our job goes hand in hand with that of security forces. At the end of the day, we are both there to protect the installation," said Jones. "At our installation in particular, we are expected to be prepared to defend the base, should the need arise. That's why security forces invited us along today to conduct this proficiency fire."

Airman from a variety of Air Force Specialties are tasked and deployed to act as Force Protection Airmen around the AOR. Their job is to escort and oversee Other Country Nationals (OCNs) as they perform vital contracted duties the installation. Force Protection Airmen are often the first line of defense in reacting to a "green on blue" active-shooter type incident.

McGillicuddy says the Force Protection Airmen are vital to his security forces personnel and their mission of base defense and security.

"Our Force Protection Airmen act as our back-up force and also act to support us during times of higher threat conditions," he said. "What we are training them on is not just to engage a stationary or paper target, but we're training folks to take their weapons and engage in combat situations. That level of training is a little bit more intense and more involved than someone would receive on a marksmanship range back at their homestation."

Senior Airman Phillip Williams, a security forces defender with the 387th ESFS, was one of the instructors for the training.

"It's always good to get practice. The FPs fire just before they deploy, so having them here firing in this deployed environment, is very beneficial to them."

Jones agrees that the additional range time improves their level of comfort with their weapons.

"Obviously we all qualify on both the M-4 and the M-9 prior to deploying, but historically we haven't done any proficiency firing after arriving in the area of responsibility."