435th SFS provide unique training for Belgian Air Force

Instructors from the 435th Security Forces Squadron Regional Training Center conducted a fly away security team course for 12 Airmen from the 86th SFS and 7 Belgians from the Belgian Air Component Dec. 5 to 9.

This is the first time the FAST course, taught to help augment the Raven program, has been conducted with members of the Belgian Air Component.
“Training like the FAST course strengthens relations between the U.S. Air Force and the Belgian Air Component,” said Capt. Michael Wetlesen, 435th SFS RTC operations officer. “They will go back to their unit and use this information to build their own program.”

“FAST’s primary mission is to provide security for aircraft and personnel while in a location where security has been deemed inadequate.” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Weisel, 435th SFS RTC instructor.

“We are working to create our own Raven program in the Belgian Air Force,” said 2nd Lt. Philippe Marquet, Belgian Air Force First Expeditionary Force Protection Squadron. “This training has given us insight to the Raven concept and the procedures and mission planning that come with it.”

The course consisted of an Air Force physical training test, verbal judo, self defense ground fighting techniques, expandable baton training, anti-hijacking and flight deck denial.

The Belgians learned a lot and will most likely come back in the future with more Belgians to go through the course. “We learned so much working with the Americans,” said Marquet. “We had cadre from different units and headquarters who will take their knowledge and experience to other members of our air force.”

“It was a great experience to train with an Allied nation,” said Weisel. “It was a very enjoyable training, with the Belgians, they were eager to learn and are in top physical condition.”

The 435th SFS is one of three Air Force security forces units in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, but the only one assigned to the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing headquartered at Ramstein.

As part of the wing’s Contingency Response Group, the 435th SFS contributes to the group’s “open the base” mission, as well as providing expeditionary combat support training through USAFE’s Security Forces Regional Training Center “Creek Defender”.