GABRESKI AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Westhampton Beach, N.Y. -- Members of the 106th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) were split into two groups for training. One group trained combatives inside the SFS training room, while the other worked on baton and use of force training outside. The groups rotated so every member participated in each training exercise.
Inside, Senior Airman Noel Ruiz, a 106th SFS instructor, lead the combatives training under the supervision of Master Sgt. Andres M. Velasquez, the 106th SFS unit training manager and Master Sgt. Thomas V. D’Auria, a 106th SFS superintendent.
During the combative training members learned an array of defensive and offensive moves such as shrimp, technical stand-up, kimura from guard, and back guard to side control, techniques which help prepare them for various scenarios.
“It gets them mentally prepared for anything that comes out because the more we train, the more we practice, the better we become,” said Velasquez. “We do combatives throughout the year to maintain the proficiency of our members.”
When it comes to combatives, the point is to be able to mitigate the situation and protect their weapons, the civilians and personnel on base, in addition to the installation and its assets, said Velasquez.
Outside, under the cloudy skies and intermittent rain, Technical Sgt. Matthew A. Todderick, 106th SFS nonlethal weapons instructor, lead the baton and use of force training.
During the baton and use of force training members learned the mechanics of using the baton and refreshed the steps of use of force.
Todderick introduced the members to box drills which he learned during the Active Shooter Incident Response course held at the 204th SFS Ground Combat Readiness Training Center, known as Desert Defender, in Fort Bliss, Texas. Box drills are performed when an SFS member stands in a designated area and must decide the use of force necessary to handle the threat.
“They’re rehearsals,” said Todderick. “They’re refreshing our cops with the tactics that they should know and utilize in any given situation on this base or whether they are deployed.”
Even though Todderick gave the members of the SFS an opportunity to stop training and go inside due to the rain, they didn’t.
“They decided to keep continuing and press through,” said Todderick. “We are not afraid to train in any sort of weather.”
The continual training and tactical development of the SFS helps ensure mission readiness and that we are putting people down range that are mission effective, Todderick added.