GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — The 319th Security Forces Squadron held a three-day field training exercise providing Defenders and Security Forces augmentees a mock deployment environment to evaluate their execution of mission essential tasks. The exercise aligned with the National Defense Strategy integrated deterrence efforts and the Security Forces Training Plan, which effectively measures the performance of airmen in areas of installation security, leadership and work ethic to maintain readiness in our lethal force.
This year’s FTX was the culmination of a three-year project, and was organized through a four-month collaborative effort involving the 319th SFS training flight. Manpower support for the FTX came from the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron, Grand Forks AFB Fire Department and University of North Dakota ROTC program. The 60 volunteers played a key role in ensuring the exercise was executed as realistically as possible.
“If something were to happen here at the installation or downrange, we have the ability to bring trained augment forces,” said Master Sgt. Jonathan Marshik, training flight superintendent for the 319th Security Forces Squadron. “Exercises like these help prepare airmen for potential situations in the future.”
The 319th SFS oversees an augmentee program that pulls airmen from various career fields across the Wing, and provides them training in base defense and security operations. Security Forces augmentees provide commanders more flexibility when managing shift work, deployments and other requirements that increase manpower needs. Augmentee duties also provide cross-functional training opportunities and increase the number of airmen trained in basic ground combat skills, weapons employment, tactical combat casualty care and other installation defense mission essential tasks.
“At the end of the day, we need to make a lethal and ready force,” said Marshik.
The objective of the exercise was to showcase on-foot operations, referred to as dismounted operations, and to demonstrate subduing enemy forces at increased levels of severity and intensity. These levels numbered one, two and three, determine how airmen should counter threats and provide security response based on their risk assessment and situational intensity.
“I feel like reps during these exercises are important to practice,” said Senior Airman Jeremie Tanghal, a base defense operations controller at the 319th SFS. “You can always expect the least expected, and the more you are prepared for different types of scenarios the better you can respond.”
In the current geopolitical environment, and increasing lethality of modern threats–posed by peer and near-pear adversaries–the U.S. Air Force is increasing combat readiness by empowering commanders to accept risk where applicable, continually analyze the threat environment and ensure training scenarios and capabilities match current and emerging threats. FTX events like this are an example of how calculated risk provides a challenging and useful training environment to strengthen warfighter readiness.
“I hope all the airmen learn something from this exercise, whether it’s minor or major,” said Marshik. “This is the time to make mistakes and really enhance our lethality and readiness for whatever comes our way.”
