Features

569th USFPS Airmen train like they fight

Story and photos by Airman Jared Lovett
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
January 7, 2022
U.S. Air Force Airman Tyler Benner, 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron ground transporter, experiences the pain response from a drive-stun on a Taser X26P at Vogelweh Air Station, Nov. 29, 2021. In the event that an officer misses when firing the weapon, they are able to use the weapon as a direct-contact stun, called the drive-stun, which is designed for pain compliance.

The 569th United States Forces Police Squadron is all about training like they fight, to prepare them for their dangerous yet vitally important field.

569th USFPS Airmen trained during the month of December 2021, for their annual by-law training, where they familiarize themselves with tools such as the Taser gun, baton and de-escalation techniques.

“It brings familiarization,” said Master Sgt. Edwin Bowser, 569th USFPS training section chief. “We don’t want the first time that an Airman is employing one of these less-than-lethal weapons to be out in the field on a suspect. We want them to build confidence by utilizing these tools in a controlled environment.”

The Airmen begin the training with a class teaching them about the use of less-than-lethal weapons, such as the baton and the Taser gun, so that they can use them correctly and without excessive use of force.

Afterward, they are tested to prove they have the understanding required to use a weapon such as the Taser X26P, which is only authorized for military personnel and law enforcement.

Then, they have the option of feeling first-hand what it is like to be tased, which most of them have volunteered for at one point as a rule to themselves.

“It provides them with the opportunity to feel what neuromuscular incapacitation feels like,” said Staff Sgt. William Murray, 569th USFPS unit training instructor. “That way, if they have to use it on someone, they will understand that feeling so they will refrain from using excessive force.”

Airmen assigned to the 569th United States Forces Police Squadron, undergo Red Man training at Vogelweh Air Station, Dec. 6, 2021. During Red Man training, Airmen are provided with safety gear and a baton-like weapon and must defend themselves from the instructor who’s wearing Red Man training gear.

When responding to a call, these Airmen can encounter a variety of scenarios, including the possibility of a physical altercation.

To prepare for these incidents, Defenders participate in Red Man training.

This training serves to prepare the Airmen for a real-life physical altercation with a violent individual through simulation of a real attack.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. William Murray, 569th United States Forces Police Squadron unit training instructor, utilizes the drive-stun feature on a Taser X26P at Vogelweh Air Station, Nov. 29, 2021. In the event that an officer misses when shooting the weapon, they are able to use the weapon as a direct-contact stun, called the drive-stun, which is designed for pain compliance.

During the training, the Airmen are provided with safety gear and a baton-like weapon and have to defend themselves from the instructor who is wearing the Red Man training gear.

The Airmen incorporate all they have learned about how to use the baton effectively and also on how to verbally respond to the attacker so that they can deescalate the situation and subdue the attacker.

“A lot of the new Airmen have never been in an actual fight,” said Murray. “With the large area of responsibility that we cover, there’s a higher probability that we can get into a physical altercation, so we train Airmen on how to defend themselves so that they have the confidence needed to react appropriately.”

This annual by-law training is essential to ensure that these Airmen are effectively enforcing the law and keeping all military, civilian and Department of Defense personnel safe.

The overall benefit of this training is that the Airmen who enforce the law are able to resolve and deescalate situations and not use excessive use of force.

The 569th USFPS serves and protects across the entire Kaiserslautern Military Community.

Airmen assigned to the 569th United States Forces Police Squadron undergo Red Man training at Vogelweh Air Station, Dec. 6, 2021. Red Man training serves to prepare Airmen for a real-life physical altercation with a violent individual and build their confidence so that they respond to such a situation appropriately. Red Man training provides 569th USFPS Airmen with a controlled environment to train on how to react to a physical altercation with a violent individual.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. William Murray, left, 569th United States Forces Police Squadron unit training instructor, removes the probes of a Taser X26P from Senior Airman Andrew Alvarado, right, 86th Airlift Wing public affairs journeyman, at Vogelweh Air Station, Nov. 22, 2021. The Taser X26P uses a replaceable cartridge containing compressed nitrogen to deploy two small probes that are attached to the X26P energy weapon cartridge by insulated conductive wires with a maximum length of 15 feet. The two probes deliver neuromuscular incapacitation which occurs when an energy weapon is able to cause involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ivanna Jenkins, 569th United States Forces Police Squadron patrolman, completes the Taser X26P User Certification Test at Vogelweh Air Station, Dec. 6, 2021. The test ensures that the user of the Taser X26P understands how to use the weapon safely and effectively.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Hannah Taylor, 86th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler poses for a photo at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 10, 2021. The 569th United States Forces Police Squadron is a U.S. Military Law Enforcement Unit that serves and protects the Kaiserslautern Military Community.
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