Taking people down, Security Forces style

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Keith
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 17th Security Forces Squadron completed their annual non-lethal weapons training Jan. 15 at the SFS building.

The training ensures SFS Airmen are capable of responding to a violent situation with the appropriate level of force. Airmen are taught how to use the taser, extendable baton and oleoresin capsicum spray, more commonly known as OC or pepper spray.

"Upon completion of this training, each of our Airmen has added critical skills to his or her tool set," said Capt. Chris Heinen, 17th SFS operations officer. "They are able to meet the dynamic challenges of the law enforcement world. Without less than lethal options, our officers only have two options, hand-to-hand combat or a deadly weapon; less than lethal options fill that gap."

The day-long course starts with classroom instruction during which Airmen are refreshed on how to determine which situations warrant use of a non-lethal weapon as well as which weapon they should use. They are trained to always be one step ahead and ready to subdue a non-compliant subject with the least amount of force necessary.

"If a subject is compliant, no elevation of force is needed past 'verbal judo.'  However, if a subject becomes aggressive, SFS members must have the skill set and knowledge to maintain positive control of the situation,"  Heinen said.  "If a subject becomes non-compliant or combative, drawing a gun may not be necessary.  More often than not, just the sound of a baton extending or the threat of being pepper-sprayed will be enough for the subject to become cooperative."

In the classroom, they are reminded that an SFS member may face criminal charges for using excessive force, so this training is of the upmost importance, so the Airmen have a specific guidance of when and when not to elevate their use of force in any given situation.

After their time in the classroom, the Airmen transitioned to hands-on training; the first aspect of which is the taser. To be qualified to carry a taser, or OC spray, they must first experience the effects themselves.

"The taser is designed to incapacitate a person," said Staff Sgt. Luis Alcantar, 17th SFS training NCO-in-charge. "It disrupts voluntary control of muscles, stopping the individual from completing any further actions. The point of having our Airmen experience the taser in a controlled situation is so they have a clear understanding of what the subject is experiencing."

Following a safety brief, Airmen who have not been tased are fitted with a gator clip that transmits 50,000 volts of electricity from the taser. The clip attaches behind the shoulder and on the back of the waist next to the belt so current can travel between the two points. An Airman stands on either side of the subject, to catch him when he falls and the taser is activated for five seconds.

"I don't want to do this, but I know the experience is important," said Senior Airman Angela Colon, 17th SFS, just before her turn. "I'm nervous, but I'm also excited.  I know everyone is here to help me become a better airman."

As Colon was tased, just like with the other subjects, the entire class room, both students and instructors, erupted in cheers and shouts of praise.

"I don't even know how to begin to describe the feeling," she said afterward. "I'm glad I have the experience and hearing the support of my peers and instructors made it more bearable."

Once everyone who needed to was tased, the group broke for a short break, then met outside for training with the extendable baton.

The training began with more instruction and the Airmen took turns going through the basic moves and stances with the baton. Immediately afterward, they grabbed large foam pads and formed into a lose circle; it was time for them to face the 'red man.'

The 'red man' is actually a thickly padded suite designed to allow the wearer as much mobility as possible so he can fight against the officer. The Airman, in turn, must subdue him in a three-minute period while everyone else uses the pads to keep the fighters within the circle.

Even with the padding, the non-compliant subject could be severally injured if real, steel extendable batons were used, so it's replaced with a trainer baton made of PVC pipe surrounded by dense foam.

"Facing the 'red man' is a test of focus, skill and endurance," Heinen said. "Three minutes is a very long time to fight and we make sure they are fatigued beforehand by having them run laps around the SFS building."

At the end of the day, the Airmen received a final safety briefing, this time on OC spray.

All SFS members must be sprayed at least once in their careers. To qualify to carry the spray they have to complete an obstacle course after being sprayed. The course lasts about one minute and consists of: weaving around cones with running, subduing two subjects in hand-to-hand combat, subduing a "red man" with a trainer extendable baton and tracking a final subject with a gun.