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A student in the Expeditionary Active Shooter Training class checks on a fallen Airman during a simulated active shooter scenario Nov. 5 on Ramstein. The course is a requirement for deploying Airmen and includes a hands-on practical portion that allows the students to use the skills they were taught in the course.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to an inaccurate unit identification in the original article published Nov. 13, this story correctly identifies the participating units and includes additional information on the Expeditionary Active Shooter Training.
Defenders from the 86th Security Forces Squadron, 435th Security Forces Squadron, and the 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron joined forces Oct. 1 on Ramstein to teach lifesaving skills through an Expeditionary Active Shooter Training class to Airmen deploying from the KMC.
In reaction to the spike of active shooter tragedies in both home-station and deployed environments, senior Air Force leaders directed all who are transiting downrange to receive additional in-person training on lifesaving skills, including barricade, escape and fight against the threat.
During the training, cadre taught lessons learned from previous active shooter events, techniques to further aid their survival and assist response of security forces personnel, and a hands-on practical exercise that puts the entire course into perspective.
“Unfortunately, there have been more and more active shooter situations across the world in recent years,” said Staff Sgt. Karriem Abdulahad, instructor from the 86th SFS training section. “Regardless if you are deployed, it is paramount that all individuals become versed in how to best respond to this threat. My responsibility is to provide our Airmen these very skills, especially for those who are heading to high-risk locations.”
The course is unique in that students are placed in various scenarios that reinforce the classroom content.
“As an instructor, I always seek methods to supplement the material taught from an informative presentation,” said Abdulahad. “The practical portion ties everything together and causes the students to apply the tools to protect themselves and others from an active shooter.”
Many students viewed the course as an eye-opening experience, as the guidance and tips they received from the defender cadre forced them to utilize the work environment they were in to employ the best available option.
“What I really enjoyed about the class was it took your decisions to the next step,” said Airman 1st Class Sam Della Torre, a student in the course and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing knowledge operations technician. “Just because you barricaded the door, it doesn’t mean you’re safe. Are there alternative avenues the shooter can still gain access? Can I be shot through the door? Are there other signs that will draw attention to my location?”
Ultimately, EAST is helping Airmen stay resilient and equipping them with the tools needed to properly react to and survive this universal threat.
