Into the frontier: close-quarters combat

News: Into the frontier: close-quarters combat

633rd Air Base Wing

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Story by Senior Airman Jarad Denton Subscribe To This Journalist

Senior Airman Jarad Denton

A security forces airman from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., poses as an opposing force during a training exercise at Camp Guernsey, Wyo., Oct. 18, 2012. The objective of this training was to instruct airmen how to properly clear multiple rooms of hostile forces, using close-quarters-combat techniques.

CAMP GUERNSEY, Wyo. - Amid the loud pops and dissonant sounds of paint erupting against wood, security forces airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., tested their close-quarters combat skills against an opposing force team during Road Warrior X at Camp Guernsey, Wyo., Oct. 18.

The tactical response force teams from F.E. Warren were given detailed instructions on how to properly clear multiple rooms with armed, hostile forces who had stolen a nuclear resource.

“We weren’t just taught how to clear room,” said Senior Airman Oscar Gomez, 90th Security Forces Group breacher-assaulter. “The instructors also told us why it was important to clear rooms and check corners.”

Gomez said checking corners is vitally important, because Op-4 teams may be hidden behind doors or furniture waiting for airmen to pass unsuspectingly. If the TRF team does not check all the angles, they could easily be cut down by enemy fire.

“You feel the pressure of the team when you go through the rooms,” Gomez said. “After a while, this all becomes muscle memory.”

For two years, Gomez and other security forces airmen have been training and practicing the procedures for transporting, securing and possibly recovering nuclear resources. While Gomez was able to experience the simulations through the eyes of the TRF, other airmen from F.E. Warren had the opportunity to act as Op-4 throughout the exercise.

“Being Op-4 in this exercise has showed me that it’s important to take this training seriously,” said Airman 1st Class Richard Lam, 790th Security Forces Squadron response force member. “You have to be extra careful when clearing rooms.”

Lam, who played the part of an unarmed Op-4 member, said the teams did very well in coming through, neutralizing the threats and securing the hostile individuals.

With the end of the exercise rapidly approaching, the teams are honing their skills in preparation for a rolling convoy which will ultimately evaluate how these airmen respond to the theft of a nuclear device by hostile forces.

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series highlighting Road Warrior X, the nuclear-convoy training exercise held annually at Camp Guernsey, Wyo.