Going through the gate of a defender’s mind

Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Jordan Castelan
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Staff Sgt. Tony Pettway, 355th Security Forces Squadron creek defender course trainee, calls in a medical evacuation for Airman 1st Class Jose Ramos, 355th SFS creek defender course trainee, during building clearance training Oct. 17.
Staff Sgt. Tony Pettway, 355th Security Forces Squadron creek defender course trainee, calls in a medical evacuation for Airman 1st Class Jose Ramos, 355th SFS creek defender course trainee, during building clearance training Oct. 17.

Airmen broke down doors, cleared buildings, performed medical evacuations, secured an airfield and provided defense against insurgent threats during a 16-day training course led by cadre from the 435th Security Forces Squadron in Baumholder.

Staff Sgt. Jon-Paul Horning, 86th SFS Creek Defender course trainee, was part of a 98-student class that completed this required course before being eligible to deploy.

Airman 1st Class Brandon Thompson, 31st Security Forces Squadron creek defender course trainee, scans the horizon in a Humvee turret  Oct. 22.
Airman 1st Class Brandon Thompson, 31st Security Forces Squadron creek defender course trainee, scans the horizon in a Humvee turret
Oct. 22.

Q: What is the Creek Defender course?
A: The Creek Defender course is a way to ensure the capabilities of a security forces member are what they need to be. We practiced 24 core tasks as a squad and then were evaluated on our performance by the cadre team.

Q: What are some of the core tasks on which you were evaluated?
A: We were evaluated on a broad spectrum of tasks, including building clearance tactics, mounted and dismounted operations, the use of night vision equipment, medical evacuations, securing an airfield and establishing a defense for (the airfield).

Q: Did you find this training necessary or helpful?
A: Absolutely. The training wasn’t only about reaffirming our technical skills, but also developing NCO leadership qualities while junior enlisted Airmen take leadership roles.

Staff Sgt. Jon-Paul Horning, 86th Security Forces Squadron creek defender course trainee, advances through a smoke grenade during building clearance training Oct. 17.
Staff Sgt. Jon-Paul Horning, 86th Security Forces Squadron creek defender course trainee, advances through a smoke grenade during building clearance training Oct. 17.

Q: How did the Airmen who are deploying for the first and second time benefit from this?
A: They were placed in leadership roles frequently. It wasn’t uncommon to see an airman first class or a senior airman in a squad leading a fire team and contributing to the overall success.

Q: How did the training culminate?
A: The last two days we took part in a field training exercise that had us secure and establish a defense for an airfield. We had a fully functioning defense system in place consisting of defensive fighting positions, mounted patrols, an entry control point, humanitarian missions, and a final assault we had to defend against on the last night that included practice munitions and various scenarios.

 

Airman 1st Class Domineek Ellington, 355th Security Forces Squadron creek defender course trainee, takes a defensive position in a Humvee turret during airfield defense training Oct. 22 in Baumholder. Ellington was part of a 98-student class undergoing training to prepare them for deployed conditions around the world.
Airman 1st Class Domineek Ellington, 355th Security Forces Squadron creek defender course trainee, takes a defensive position in a Humvee turret during airfield defense training Oct. 22 in Baumholder. Ellington was part of a 98-student class undergoing training to prepare them for deployed conditions around the world.

 

Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Daniels, Headquarters Air Force creek defender course trainee, leads a rescue operation during a training course Oct. 17.
Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Daniels, Headquarters Air Force creek defender course trainee, leads a rescue operation during a training course Oct. 17.