Target Hardening Program comes to Laughlin

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jimmie D. Pike
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Laughlin's first two-day Target Hardening and Intervention Program is scheduled to be held at the Losano Fitness Center Aug. 7 and 8.

The two-day class will consist of a 16-hour course led by David Barnett, the course's co-founder and owner of Premiere Martial Arts in San Angelo, Texas. Only 20 spots are available for the course and attendees will not be charged leave.

"Anybody can participate in the class, they just have to register for the trainer course and have the statement of understanding signed by their commander and supervisor," said Sabrina Peña, 47th Flying Training Wing sexual assault response coordinator.

After the class has been completed, the new trainers will be obligated to provide at least one training course, a four-hour session on a Saturday, during the first 12 months of certification.

"The self-defense aspect of the program is important, but it's how the course uses the self-defense techniques as a catalyst to deliver the educational information that makes it successful," said Barnett.

The class is a trainer's training course to certify a team that will be able to teach the course to other members of Team XL. The curriculum teaches self-defense and risk reduction techniques, how sex offenders classify soft and hard targets, bystander intervention unique to the sexual assault venue and wraps up with a review and understanding that a worst case scenario is a reality no matter what.

"The course uses a mix of kickboxing, krav maga, judo, jiu jitsu and other martial arts," said Barnett. "At past bases the program has been a success and has cut sexual assault down as high as 50 percent."

For more information, please contact Peña at 298-4545.