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Bagram starts self-defense courses

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing has introduced a self-defense program to continually build Airmen's combat skills.

Taught by representatives of the 455th AEW Check 6 safety program, the program is designed to give Airmen basic hand-to-hand combat techniques.

"This is a really important step for us," said 455th AEW Command Chief Master Sgt. Steven Bohannon, who noted that the 455th AEW is the only wing in Air Forces Central Command currently holding such classes.

"By making you more prepared, this course will give you the confidence to stand up to an attacker, taking you out of the victim mode and into fighter mode," Bohannon added.

Among the techniques covered in the class are assuming the proper fighting position, blocking blows if you're already on the ground and restraining an attacker if both of you are on the ground.

Master Sgt. Damian Larche, 455th AEW Check 6 instructor, told the participants that the goal of the class wasn't to learn lethal moves.

"We're going to train you to the point that you could escape and either sound the alarm or, if you have to, go to your weapon," he said.

The students practice each move several times in order to build the all-important muscle memory that's needed for quick reactions.

"Repetition is key," said Larche, who also stressed the importance of endurance.

"Most fights last longer than fifteen seconds," he said. "You have to fight for your life."

Those words were not lost on the class participants, who encourage others to join the next round of classes.

"I definitely recommend it," said Senior Airman Rachel Gardner, 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Traffic Management, who has taken similar courses in the past.

"I've never been in a situation, fortunately, but if I ever was ... I wouldn't freeze," Gardner said. "At least I would know some techniques of what to do or to escape the situation."

Current class sizes are limited, but instructors hope in the near future to able to offer more classes and perhaps attract other experts in self-defense to provide lessons.

"It's an awesome program," said Capt. Randall Claar, 455th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron weather flight commander, who augmented the Check 6 instructors and added that learning self-defense is a win-win for the wing and the Airmen.

"They should have a fighting chance," he said.