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Combat Airman training prepares Airmen for deployment
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In an effort to increase the efficiency on Airmen on the ground, Vandenberg hosted a Combat Airman training course Nov. 26 to 28.
The course is designed to teach Airmen basic combat skills that can be used in a war zone.
"A lot of Airmen get this training in basic, but haven't had it since," said Master Sgt. Jeffery Jones, the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance NCOIC. "So for most Airmen this is a good refresher."
Many students will be taking what they learned at Vandenberg's course and take it to another pre-deployment course, he said.
"Some of the Airmen we have here today will be going to participate in convoy training, some will train with the Army and then some will go to a 14 day course that focuses more in-depth on the tactics that we focus on here," said Sgt. Jones. "Air Force Space Command has now mandated Airmen take a combat skills training course before deploying."
The course focuses on deployment readiness by covering an array of combative tactics ranging from low crawl and high crawl to search and seizure techniques, said Sergeant Jones.
The importance of these tactics is immeasurable.
"In a real world scenario, if you are having to low crawl, complete pandemonium will be going on around you," said Staff Sgt. Denoris Mickle, a Vandenberg Combat Airman course instructor. "It is important for Airman to know how to communicate and what to do in these situations."
The lessons that Airmen learn in a course like this could save American lives.
"The videos on how to spot an IED helped me out a lot," said Airman Sam Teat, a Vandenberg fire fighter. "I will more than likely be doing convoy operations when I deploy and being able to spot a roadside IED will be vital."
The course not only prepares Airmen tactically, but it also eases the nerves of an Airman about to be deployed. The course teaches things that allow Airmen to be more informed of what happens in a lot of deployed locations and more importantly what to expect, said Airman Teat.
The course is used as a teaching tool to help Airmen become a more effective force. As the Air Force continues its Air and space dominance it will support the Army and the Marines with a ground assault on terrorism across the world, which will make combat airmen training an invaluable event in an Airman's career.