ACST
I recently attended the ACST course and have to say that the training is absolutely the best that I have received over my 13+ years in the AF. Every day was a new challenge that left you with a feeling of accomplishment as well as a desire for more. Couple that with the top notch cadre and you have a world-class program!
Anyone who is scheduled to attend this training should be prepared to have the best experience possible in a training environment. Practical skills taught by cadre who have actively employed those skills in the war zone. Thank you for all of the knowledge that you as a team imparted on my whole class!
TSgt Philip L. Broderson
Minot AFB
8/3/2009
Moving on, words of advice
No matter what units or bases are in my future, I’m sure I will never find a unit with as close knit a group of people as I have had working in the 421st Combat Training Squadron.
I can honestly say that I’ve learned a lot from all of the other cadre. As for words of advice with me leaving, never take for granted that you’ll have another opportunity like right now. Take advantage every chance you get, to get up in front of students and prepare them for deployments. Before you know it you’ll be out-processing and trying to squeeze in one last chance to teach something!
Keep in mind we won’t be here forever. There comes a time if you know something and the “new guy” doesn’t, it’s on you to ensure that he does. It’s not the “new guy” that you’re helping, it’s all the students, our brothers and sisters in arms, who will come through here after you leave whom you are truly helping.
Tech. Sgt. Gary Hasecuster
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
6/4/2009
Thankful for ACST experience
I had the distinct pleasure of serving as class commander as 218 Airmen and I prepared for deployment at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center’s Advanced Contingency Skills Training Course from March 17 to April 1.
Without exception, each Airman I spoke with during the training called it the best in their Air Force experiences. The connection the cadre and course material builds between the students and warrior ethos is amazing. I saw the class change as combat skills and confidence grew through each training element.
If flexibility is the key to airpower, then Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Tourville must be the key to airpower from the ground up. Sergeant Tourville impressed me at every turn. His leadership of ACST and its many moving pieces was remarkable – and he also added 24/7 support for myriad student issues. He is to be commended and I am thankful to serve with Airmen like Sergeant Tourville.
My flight had the unique opportunity to exhibit our new combat skills to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during his visit to the Expeditionary Center. It was an honor to show the SECAF the results of the investment your team made in us as Airmen warriors.
Thank you, Expeditionary Center, for developing pre-deployment training into a skill set that will benefit each of us and potentially save lives. The center’s cadre made an important investment in each of us. While we hope to never need to use these new skills, I am confident we’re ready if called upon.
Col. Lindsey Borg
Scott Air Force Base Ill.
6/4/2009
Meeting General Hertog
Prior to being reenlisted by the Air Force Director of Security Forces, Brig. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog, on March 26:
"It’s great. It’s awesome. I’m confused, but it's great and it's awesome. It’s been a crazy year. In 2009, I've been STEP-promoted and now the top cop in the Air Force is doing my reenlistment.”
After being reenlisted by General Hertog:
“It was really cool. It was actually kind of the spur of the moment for me. Honestly it’s really great that she did the reenlistment. Six more years – hooah!”
Tech. Sgt. Jon Tourville
Fort Dix
3/27/2009
Meeting General Hertog
On showing the Air Force Director of Security Forces, Brig. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog, what encompasses the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center and Mobility Operations School's Mobile Command, Control and Communications Systems Course:
“We let them know that we’re providing today’s warfighter with reliable and secure short- and long-range communications that are needed and required to complete the mission.”
Staff Sgt. Joshua Sager
Fort Dix
3/27/2009
Meeting General Hertog
On describing the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Mobility Operations School's Small Package Initial Communications Element (SPICE) Course to the Air Force Director of Security Forces, Brig. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog, on March 26:
“It was another great opportunity to show the relevance of the SPICE to somebody who would be outside the communications career field like security forces and particularly with the intrusion detection. It was great that someone such as General Hertog was able to see the value SPICE brings to security forces and others. We talked about class size, class length, how it applies to opening the airbase and that force construct. We also highlighted on how it related specifically to the general and her troops.”
Tech. Sgt. Adrian McDonough
Fort Dix
3/27/2009
Meeting General Hertog
On showing the Air Force Director of Security Forces, Brig. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog, training facilities operated by the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School:
“It’s a great opportunity – no matter what Air Force specialty we get in here – to give them an insight into what we are doing being that since it’s such a non-standard job that we do. When she came in to our area, she said she had never been inside a Hard-sided Expandable Lightweight Air Mobile Shelter (HELAMS) before so that was a great opportunity to educate her on its capabilities. I think she walked away from here learning something and that’s really our objective -- to teach and educate people on what we do.”
Senior Master Sgt. Troy Coville
Fort Dix
3/27/2009
Meeting General Hertog
On meeting the Air Force Director of Security Forces, Brig. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog, and showing her a Raven combatives demonstration on March 26:
"It’s always good to meet the top cop, have a voice and show how effective our training is. It was great that we could show her a live demonstration of what we do instead of her seeing it in a briefing or in an after-action report. She actually was able to see how the training is affecting our security forces students.”
Staff Sgt. James Chubb
Fort Dix
3/27/2009
Farwell EC
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to each of you for your support in making the past three and a half years here at the Expeditionary Center a positive one. Today is my last day here at McGuire and then I am off to be the superintendant at the 53rd Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. I have really enjoyed working with all of you.
Master Sgt. Steven E. Hayes
Ft. Dix N.J.
3/16/2009
Expeditionary Center charter
The new U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center charter adds impact and validity from the very top to what we already knew... we're providing expeditionary Airmen with superior just-in-time training.
Master Sgt. Jeffrey M. Norway
Fort Dix N.J.
3/10/2009
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