LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS -- For the first time in a decade, the 47th Security Forces Squadron kickstarted an augmentee training program, to provide supplemented manpower during periods of increased installation security.
The initial group of 11 enlisted personnel set the standards for future Laughlin augmentees during the week-long course, Aug. 19 - Aug. 24, 2024.
The program allows Laughlin to maintain the safety and security of the installation in a dynamic environment which supports our pilot production mission. Transforming Airmen from different units who specialize in medicine, communication systems, and administrative functions into warfighters who are proficient in mission security.
This training opportunity temporarily relieves Airmen of their primary job responsibilities and comfort zones and introduces them to security forces, with the goal to defend the base if the Force Protection Condition (FPC) reaches Charlie or Delta.
Augmentee duties can also include assisting during base events such as air shows and gatherings with increased traffic to the installation.
“Our augmentees span nine units, each with a unique mission set,” said Capt. Mayra Alexander, 47th SFS operations officer. “The augmentees give Security Forces the flexibility to increase posting in heightened FPCs, making defenders more adaptable responders.”
From the classroom to the shooting range, augmentees trained to handle stress inducing situations, challenging them to keep the situation under control and teaching when to use lethal or less than lethal force to protect themselves and others.
The most stressful situation augmentees had to undergo were shoot/no-shoot scenarios in order to simulate stress, trainers raised the heart rates of the augmentees, where they were then put into two random virtual scenarios where the object was to gain control of the scene and either destress the situation or use lethal force if needed. Augmentees had to react accordingly while trying to get their breathing under control and lower their heart rate in order to pass.”
In the short span of one week of training, augmentees were able to grasp the concept of what it means to be a Defender. Augmentees were exposed to concepts in weapon systems, antiterrorism, law enforcement, Air Base Ground Defense, Combat Arms, and Tactical Combat Casualty Care.
“The course provides members of the 47th FTW with a baseline knowledge of base security and lethality to support the security of Laughlin in times of need,” said Senior Airman Terry Johnson, 47th SFS trainer.
With this group of augmentees being the first group in a decade to undergo the revised course, the augmentees will be given quarterly training to enhance their knowledge to support Laughlin’s mission of “Building combat-ready Airmen, Leaders and Pilots.”
“We look forward to including our augmentees in quarterly training sessions to build relationships and optimize response capabilities with our Defenders, " said Capt. Alexander. “Future training includes breaching fundamentals, individual team tactics, and vehicle challenging techniques.”
To further improve the program, the training division is focusing on feedback to incorporate more law enforcement techniques, increasing the length of training and strengthening the skills of future augmentees, all to ensure the safety and security of Team XL.