SWAT training

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Police officers begin to enter a home during a simulated search warrant scenario as part of a basic SWAT team training exercise, May 4. The 28th Security Forces Squadron opened two vacant homes to allow police officers from nine different agencies to train. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Flynn)

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SWAT training

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – (Right) Mark Neal, Fort Collins, Colo. Police Department police officer, provides feedback to participants of a basic SWAT team training exercise, May 4. SWAT is an elite special operations tactical unit, trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside the abilities of regular patrol officers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Flynn)

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SWAT training

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Police officers clear a stairway during a basic SWAT team training exercise, May 4. The 28th Security Forces Squadron opened two vacant houses on base for the training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Flynn)

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SWAT training

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Police officers provide security during a simulated search warrant scenario as part of a basic SWAT team training exercise, May 4. Base housing offered a comprehensive training environment that gave the officers a realistic atmosphere for clearing houses. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Flynn)

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Security forces train with civilian counterparts

Published May 6, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Matthew Flynn
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D. -- Nine law enforcement agencies sent police officers to Ellsworth for basic SWAT training, May 4.

The 28th Security Forces Squadron and Pennington County Sherriff's Department have a history of joining together to offer a variety of training exercises.

"We've done a lot of work with the base and have a real good cooperation and team approach with [Ellsworth]," said Lt. Jay Evenson, Pennington County Sherriff's Department special response team commander. "The base has been kind enough to allow us to come out here to use a couple of vacant houses."

The basic SWAT training was performed in two vacant homes on base and gave participants a valuable training experience.

"Ellsworth has the logistical housing to offer a true environment," said Tech. Sgt. Drayton Denson, 28 SFS training section lead instructor. "The tactics allow security forces and other law enforcement agencies train in housing designs similar to what they will respond to."

The training instructor for the event found the experience here to be worthwhile.

"[The houses] give the officers a good feel for having to deal with various threats as far as multiple rooms and stairs are concerned." said Mark Neal, Fort Collins, Colo. Police Department police officer.

Seventeen police officers from various agencies participated in the training.