News>Security forces Airmen train with British counterparts
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Airmen 1st Class Joseph Kline (left) and Christopher Simmons, 100th Security Forces Squadron gunners, provide security of incoming traffic for “Forward Operating Base Oakwood” at Guardian 1, Stanford Training Area, Thetford, Sept. 4, 2012. Members from the 100th SFS manned several towers around the FOB during a joint mission rehearsal exercise, also known as MRX,with Royal Air Force members from 15 Squadron, RAF Honington; No. 2 Tactical Police Squadron, RAF Henlow; and No. 7 Force Protection Wing Headquarters, RAF Coningsby. During the MRX, U.S. Air Force members played as U.S. Marine Corps for the British forces, who are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in the near future. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
A 100th Security Forces Squadron Airman holds a belt of simulated rounds for the M240B machine gun while on duty at the Guardian 1 tower, Stanford Training Area, Thetford, Sept. 4, 2012. Members from the 100th SFS spent several days with British Royal Air Force troops during a mission rehearsal exercise. The exercise was the final part of year-long training for the British forces, before they deploy to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
British Royal Air Force members from 15 Squadron, RAF Honington, arrive at “Forward Operating Base Oakwood” in an armoured Jackal at Stanford Training Area, Thetford Sept. 4, 2012. Airmen from the 100th Security Forces Squadron worked alongside British troops at STANTA, to help provide realistic training scenarios before the RAF regiments deploy to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
Military Working Dog Ootto and Staff Sgt. Billy Lofton, 100th Security Force Squadron Military Working Dog handler, patrol buildings around "Forward Operating Base Oakwood" Sept. 4, 2012, during a mission rehearsal exercise, also known as MRX, at Stanford Training Area, Thetford. The MRX was joint training between the U.S. Air Force and British Royal Air Force regiments, before the RAF members deploy to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
Flight Lt. Scott Ripley-Jones, Force Protection Centre and Operational Training Advisory and Standardization Squadron, RAF Honington, makes tracking signs in the sand with a training weapon for other military members to interpret and gain information during a mission rehearsal exercise Sept. 4, 2012, at Stanford Training Area, Thetford. British Royal Air Force members from 15 Sqdn, RAF Honington; No. 2 Tactical Police Squadron, RAF Henlow; and No. 7 Force Protection Wing Headquarters, RAF Coningsby, worked alongside 100th Security Forces Squadron personnel during the exercise to provide the final stages of training before the British troops deploy to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
Air Marshall Andrew Pulford, right, Deputy Commander Capability/Air Member for Personnel and Capability, High Wycombe, meets with Tech. Sgt. Curtis Webb and Staff Sgt. Jonathan Williams, 100th Security Forces Squadron, during a mission rehearsal exercise at Stanford Training Area, Thetford, Sept. 4, 2012. The air marshall visited British and American military members at STANTA as they worked side-by-side during a joint exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
Airmen from the 100th Security Forces Squadron encounter smoke grenades simulating an improvised explosive device as they travel “home” in their HUMVEEs, before coming under ambush during an exercise at Stanford Training Area, Thetford, Sept. 4, 2012. The RAF Mildenhall personnel were at STANTA for several days, working alongside British Royal Air Force members, assisting them with a mission rehearsal exercise. The RAF squadrons are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, and the STANTA exercise was the final stage in year-long preparation for their deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
A 100th Security Forces Squadron Airman fires from a HUMVEE during an ambush as part of an exercise at Stanford Training Area, Thetford, Sept. 4, 2012. Forty U.S. Air Force personnel took part in scenarios including weapons cache sweeps. Two military working dogs also alongside Royal Air Force members during a mission rehearsal exercise lasting several days. During the joint exercise they role-played as the U.S. Marine Corps, which the RAF members will be working with during an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. The 100th SFS also conducted their own training throughout the exercise, such as simulating an ambush. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
Members from the 100th Security Forces Squadron, including military working dog Zulton, scramble to help wounded members of their team after they are ambushed during a training exercise at Stanford Training Area, Thetford, Sept. 4, 2012. The RAF Mildenhall members worked alongside Royal Air Force members from 15 Squadron, RAF Honington; No. 2 Tactical Police Squadron, RAF Henlow; and No. 7 Force Protection Wing Headquarters, RAF Coningsby, during a mission rehearsal exercise lasting several days. Forty 100th SFS members and two military working dogs played the role of the U.S. Marine Corps, helping the RAF hone their skills and provide realistic training for when they deploy to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
Members from the 100th Security Forces Squadron scramble to help wounded members of their team after they come under ambush during a training exercise at Stanford Training Area, Thetford, Sept. 4, 2012. In addition to doing their own training, the 100th SFS personnel spent several days at STANTA role-playing as the U.S. Marine Corps with Royal Air Force members from three squadrons, who are finishing the final stage of year-long preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
An Airman from the 100th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, keeps an eye out for the enemy after he and the rest of his team were ambushed during a route-clearance mission as part of an exercise at Stanford Training Area, Thetford, Sept. 4, 2012. In addition to doing their own training, the 100th SFS personnel spent several days at STANTA playing the role of the U.S. Marine Corps with Royal Air Force members from three squadrons, who are finishing the final stage of year-long preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)
An Airman from the 100th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, holds the role of a gunner during a joint U.S. and Royal Air Force exercise Sept. 6, 2012, at Stanford Training Area, Thetford. The exercise was held to prepare the British airmen for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan along with training 100th SFS Airmen to work better with their RAF counterparts. . (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)
Staff Sgt. Barret Chappelle, 100th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, RAF Mildenhall, and MWD Zulton, 100th SFS, perform a second sweep of a building to ensure there are no dangers during a joint U.S. and Royal Air Force exercise Sept. 6, 2012, at Stanford Training Area, Thetford. Two 100th SFS MWDs and their handlers assisted in the joint exercise to make the training scenario more realistic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)
Senior Airman Nathan Porrata, 100th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, performs perimeter security for a simulated third country national encampment during a joint U.S. and Royal Air Force exercise Sept. 6, 2012, at Stanford Training Area, Thetford. Porrata was one of several 100th SFS Airmen who provided perimeter security while allowing RAF forces to simulate a raid on the TCN encampment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)
Corporal Michael O’Regan (left), No. 2 Tactical Police Squadron, RAF Henlow, provides security as Airman 1st Class Christopher Simmons, 100th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, pats down Cpl. Ashley Simpson, roleplaying as a insurgent, during a joint U.S. and Royal Air Force exercise Sept. 6, 2012, at Stanford Training Area, Thetford. Simpson played an insurgent during the exercise to provide a realistic training scenario for both the U.S. and RAF Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)
by Karen Abeyasekere
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
9/11/2012 - RAF MILDENHALL, U.K. (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 100th Security Forces Squadron joined ranks with British counterparts from 15 Squadron, RAF Honington; No. 2 Tactical Police Squadron, RAF Henlow; and No. 7 Force Protection Wing Headquarters, RAF Coningsby Aug. 28 to Sept. 6 at Stanford Training Area, more commonly known as STANTA, near Thetford.
The 40 RAF Mildenhall defenders' role was to play as U.S. Marine Corps members. Royal Air Force regiments involved in the joint mission rehearsal exercise, also known as MRX, will soon be deploying to Afghanistan. There they will be working alongside different military forces, and joint exercises such as this provide realistic training.
"If we weren't doing this together, from the Royal Air Force viewpoint, we'd not be as well prepared as we are to go theatre," said Air Marshal Andrew Pulford, Deputy Commander Capability/Air Member for Personnel and Capability, Headquarters Air Command, High Wycombe, Sept. 4.
He added that the exercise is hugely beneficial, both for the 100th SFS and RAF regiments; the RAF troops have been preparing to deploy to Afghanistan over the past year.
"We're constantly integrated with our key ally, the United States, and we have exchange posts which allow us to orientate our programs to optimize our training," said Gp. Capt. Andy Hall, RAF Honington Station Commander, who was out at STANTA in his role as commander of the RAF regiment and deputy commander of the Royal Air Force Protection Force. "Through our exchange posts, we currently have a visit from the 820th (Security Forces Group, Moody Air Force Base, Ga.) and their new commander."
The squadron's goal is to train on a regular basis in a joint environment. The joint US-UK MRX is the concluding test phase of mission-specific training for them before they deploy to Afghanistan.
"Within this test phase we integrate all of the agencies and organizations that we'd expect to be operating with, which includes the U.S. Air Force," the RAF Honington station commander said. "You can see on the training area today an example of how much we integrate in Afghanistan. At one of our locations, we are fully integrated with (the United States). To exercise that integration on our training areas before we go is really important - both now and into the future. We're sharing knowledge and expertise."
He added that the joint exercise at STANTA is an example of a program of operational force generation which is constant. It also gives an insight into the extent of which the RAF rehearses its skills, so their troops are familiar with other coalition forces' protocol.
Both 100th SFS and the RAF members slept in rough conditions, mimicking those deployed military personnel may encounter downrange. Their "forward operating bases" at STANTA, had only concrete, brick or wooden floors to bed down on, with only glow sticks and the moon for light, Meals, ready to eat, a sleeping bag and their weapons by their side. Military Working Dogs also "deployed" with their handlers for the duration of the exercise.
"Once the shift was over, we rotated with the other 13-man team that was out on patrols. These guys gave it all," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Williams, 100th SFS, from Visalia, Calif. "We had minimal sleep and minimal down time - it was intense, even for us cadre, but it was some of the greatest training we can provide home station."
Due to concentrated needs which are indicative of a deployed environment, Airmen need to prepare for any eventuality, such as ensuring base security.
"While inside the patrol base, our Defenders were on 24-hour operations, with a six-hours on, six-hours off schedule," he said. "While on their down time, if a simulated attack was to happen, they had to wake up, grab their gear and provide support to ensure the safety and security of the patrol base," Williams said.
Working alongside RAF regiments allows the 100th SFS Airmen an opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge of how crucial it is to work cohesively in joint and coalition environments.
While at STANTA, the air marshal visited the four training areas, including patrolling, RAF Police and the simulated Afghan village. He also stressed how important it is to prepare the RAF troops before they go to Afghanistan.
"If you look at the operation in Afghanistan, it's an operation with many different nations but importantly, down in Helmand Province we've got U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Air Force, British Army all working together very closely," Pulford said.
He added the RAF is grateful for the support from the U.S. Air Force and the teamwork that had been shown.
"(The MRX) brings together two great nations separated by a similar language and shows how different nations do things and use different (terms), so that our people are ready to go in to Afghanistan and work alongside the Americans," Pulford said.
