SFS members take part in Creek Defender Course

BAUMHOLDER, Germany ― More than 90 security forces members from U.S. Air Forces in Europe participated in a 17-day course to train and prepare Airmen in the tactics and war-fighting methods being used today.

Eight to 10 days of the Creek Defender Course are spent in Baumholder, Germany.
“Creek Defender is a training course designed to prepare SFS members for deployment,” said Master Sgt. Bradley Quam, USAFE regional training center superintendent. “The training covers skills on mounted and dismounted patrolling, immediate trauma and casualty care, expeditionary entry control points, and vehicle searches.”

Baumholder provides large maneuver training areas making it easy to incorporate multiple types of environment, he said. Though the terrain of the training site may be different from the terrain in the area of responsibility, it doesn’t affect the tactics they learn during the course.

“The tactics used to combat an improvised explosive device, suicide bomber or a small arms attack don’t change based on the terrain,” Quam said. “Basic fundamentals don’t change. You just have to amend your plan to the environment you are working in. The training teaches personnel to adapt to their surroundings.”
The training is made to give personnel a realistic view of situations they may encounter downrange. The training center is equipped to handle full live fire convoy ranges and a firing range to practice marksmanship skills. Personnel also faced 14 opposition forces personnel.

“I am getting ready for my first deployment,” said 1st Lt. Julie Roloson, 52nd SFS OIC training and resources. “I am making the most out of some good training.”
Personnel deploying as teams are also getting a chance to see how they work together.

“The great thing about this training was the opportunity to come here with my team as well as another team from Lakenheath,” Roloson said. “Our team and the Lakenheath team are headed to the same region.

We are learning how to work together and working out all of the
kinks before actually being in the country.”

Creek Defender doesn’t just help out the individuals going through the training; it also relieves stress on the individual SFS units in USAFE.

“Common wartime tasks completed by personnel cover yearly training needed to stay current,” Quam said. “This helps relieve pressure on individual units from conducting spin up training and meeting annual requirements.”