New Active Shooter Training Prepares Airmen for Deployment

Senior Airman Martin Hawkins, 459th Security Forces Squadron member, practices approaching a live shooter during Expeditionary Active Shooter Training Nov. 7, 2015. The class, which began in October 2015, is a two-tier level training for all deploying Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chief Master Sgt. Dale Canofari)

New Active Shooter Training Prepares Airmen for Deployment

Airmen from the 459th Security Forces Squadron learn how to respond in an active shooter scenario during Expeditionary Active Shooter Training Nov. 7, 2015 at Joint Base Andrews, MD. The class is a new Air Force requirement for all deploying Airmen, as part of a new initiative to prepare Airmen for potential threats in deployed environments.

New Active Shooter Training Prepares Airmen for Deployment

Senior Airman Justin Goyette, 459th Security Forces Squadron member, practices back-to-back tactic maneuvering during Expeditionary Active Shooter Training Nov. 7, 2015. The class, which began in October 2015, is a two-tier level training for all deploying Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chief Master Sgt. Dale Canofari)

New Active Shooter Training Prepares Airmen for Deployment

Active Shooter Training Prepares Airmen for Armed Encounter

Published Jan. 10, 2016
By Staff Sgt. Tiffany Lindemann
459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Airmen at the 459th Air Refueling Wing recently had the opportunity to participate in active shooter training.

Terrorism Response Tactics Active Shooter level I, Train the Trainer, prepares Airmen for potential threats encountered in an active shooter scenario, said Master Sgt. Bryant Hamlor, the 459th Security Forces Squadron action officer and trainer.

"It is important and essential that this training is available, especially with recent world events," said Hamlor.

Members from the 459 SFS attended the class at the November Unit Training Assembly, where they were put into practical scenarios. They learned techniques used by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in hostile environments with an active shooter.

"The key to this class is that it seamlessly integrates military police organizations with civilian law enforcement agencies," said Chief Master Sgt. Dale Canofari, the 459 SFS manager. "This training is significantly more important now based on recent events such as the San Bernardino incident, and many other active shooter events that have occurred."

As part of the scenario-based course, Airmen are taught how to escape, barricade or fight based on the situation presented. Put into realistic environments, Airmen learn how to respond to protect themselves, while at the same time assist law enforcement.

Airmen are also finding the implemented training to be beneficial and valuable to their skillset while in deployed locations.

"One of the attendees said that our training was the most useful training that he had from the military in preparation for deployment," said Hamlor.