Airmen Train Soldiers for Protection Mission

Training from Air
Originally uploaded by Sydney Weasel.

By Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Gates, 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

ALI BASE, Iraq -- Airmen from the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron have found themselves performing a unique mission in the last month – providing training to 164 Army Soldiers.

“It wasn’t so much training as refreshing their skills, and letting them know specifics about protecting Ali Base and the people on it,” said Tech. Sgt. Scott Morris, 407th ESFS and lead trainer.

The 164 Soldiers from the 528 Quartermaster Company are assuming the Ali protection mission currently held by the 407th ESFS – in July, the Soldiers will begin patrolling the base perimeter as well as outside the base to look for possible attacks and protect the surrounding area. This training gave the Soldiers the tools, and techniques, they need to do this mission safely, said Sergeant Morris.

The Soldiers started with 12 days of classroom training, developed by a team of four Security Forces experts. The classroom – more accurately various structures and open fields – connected 20 Soldiers with experts in a number of force protection areas. {Click on image for details}