Security response training promotes readiness, teamwork

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marc I. Lane
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Eleven local law enforcement agencies, along with the 28th Security Forces Squadron, participated in security response training here, Sept. 12; the exercise was designed for the agencies to work together to resolve high-risk situations with minimum loss of life, injury or property damage.

"We rely on the relationships with our local communities to work, support and aid each other," said Douglas Frey, 28 BW Antiterrorism-Force Protection officer. "Training opportunities like this strengthen our ties and serve as a great force multiplier to make our communities safe."

Four members of the 28 SFS participated in the exercise.

"The security response team training was a great experience for me and the other 28 SFS members, because it reminded us of threats we, as law enforcement personnel, may one day have to respond to," said Senior Airman Brandon Mathistad, 28 SFS police officer.

He and others found the training experience worthwhile and true to its purpose.

"The training was very effective and about as real as it gets," Airman Mathistad said. "We trained in vacated housing, so we were able to go in and physically beat down doors, break glass and make the scenarios as realistic as possible."

The day-long event covered a large range of high-risk situations. After all the scenarios were over, the instructors stressed the importance of clear communication and how its role was not only essential in the exercise, but even day-to-day operations.

"Because of excellent communication, the training was a huge success for all the organizations involved," said Lt. James Johns, Rapid City Police Department field services. "When we train together, we ready ourselves to better serve the citizens of our communities. This is exactly what we accomplished today."