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Channel your fear, check your six

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Desiree W. Moye
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Check Six, a U.S. Air Forces Central security forces creation which fortifies vigilance while combating complacency, engaged their Canadian counterparts during an active-shooter briefing at an undisclosed location Monday.

The active-shooter briefings aid in combating the immediate stages of shock when faced with life-threatening danger, which can present itself anywhere, at any time.

"The group's objectives today were inadvertently tailored to actual Canadian events that have occurred, which made it more stimulating and relevant to our situations," said Canadian Army Master Warrant Officer Roger Gauthier, Operational Support Detachment, deployed from Belleville, Ontario.

Check Six is a deliberate three-step process: 3 + 2 + 1 = 6, taught by the team. Airmen have three options, escape, barricade or fight back; only two possible outcomes, live or die; and only one chance to get it right.

Escaping and helping others to safety is your first choice but if an escape route isn't clear you should hide yourself and try to contact Security Forces. Once all check six options have been exhausted, you must decide to fight back.

"The shooters sole intent is to take your life," said Tech. Sgt. Hans Wakefield, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing antiterrorism check six team member, deployed from Niagra Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. and native of Honeoye Falls Lima, N.Y. "Active shooters are becoming widespread, not so much isolated anymore."

The first step is trying to identify them before it's too late. The team touched on recognizing changes in behavior among coworkers and partners; and remembering to question things that are out of the ordinary.

"Be aware of your surroundings and engage with your people," said Master Sgt. Nicholas Gorham, 386th AEW antiterrorism check six team noncommissioned officer in charge, deployed from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and native of San Bernardino, Calif. "Don't ignore subtle signs; it could become a threat."

The desired end state of Check Six is that all Airmen and civilian counterparts, in the worst of circumstances, can make the right decision and survive.

"Never develop a false sense of security," added Gauthier. "Do something, take cover or react, courageousness is infectious"