LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- The 19th Security Forces Squadron has trained approximately 180 Airmen as security forces augmentees at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas since the course began in December 2018.
First-term Airmen coming to Little Rock AFB as their initial duty station are the primary people going through the augmentee program to increase the number of warriors ready to respond to contingencies as well as to support base-wide events. The week of training follows First Term Airman Course and Deployment Airmen Readiness Training.
“We’re humanizing the badge,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jonathan Huber, 19th SFS NCO in charge of security forces training. “In the grand scheme of things, the Air Force is not that old, and security forces has changed drastically over my 20 years. It’s really important we grab these brand new Airmen, train them, and showcase some of our history and capabilities.”
Regardless of the fact that first-term Airmen are the primary personnel in this program, each class also has space for higher ranking Airmen to fill leadership roles in the event the augmentees are called upon.
“The more people in your community that feel they know what to do in a crisis, the better,” Huber said. “They can go out to help educate the rest of the Air Force on how to protect society and about security forces in general.”
Since the program began, it has developed into a five-day course with one day in the classroom, two days out at the firing range, and two days of hands-on training.
Security forces history and operational concepts are taught in the classroom. Out at the range, Airmen become qualified on the M4 Carbine rifle and the M9 pistol. During the last two days, they get hands-on training for room clearing, handcuffing and other security forces procedures. By the end of the week, the augmentees receive tactical baton certifications.
“For Air Mobility Command to project strength and deliver hope, the 19th Airlift Wing has to plan for worst-case scenarios,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Andrew Ferguson, 19th SFS commander. “When these new augmentees return to their units, we hope they bring with them a newfound understanding and appreciation for what Defenders do 365 days a year.”
The ability to project agile Combat Airlift in supporting national security objectives demands that Airmen be prepared to defend one another and assets under any circumstance.
“I believe it’s important for everybody to understand the concept of being a Defender,” said U.S. Air Force Airman Joseph Coates, 19th Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuel system maintenance apprentice and participant in the most recent augmentee course. “Everyone has the idea that joining the military is to serve your country and be part of the fight. This gives you the training and experience necessary to do that, if and when necessary.”