YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Illuminated by the glow of the full moon, three defenders assigned to the 374th Security Forces Squadron moved out in full battle rattle and rifles poised. The final phase of the four day fly-away security course commenced– a field training exercise that would determine their readiness to serve as fly-away security team leads, March 14.
“A FAS mission is a specialized security operation where a small team of SFS personnel deploys with an aircraft to protect its crew and cargo in unsecured or high risk locations,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Logan Hotchkin, 374 SFS training instructor. “With the current threat landscape within the Pacific, we designed the FAS course to prepare team leaders and members with tools to navigate pre-mission planning, mission execution, and debriefing.”
The 374 SFS supports the largest number of FAS missions in the Pacific Air Forces. As Yokota defenders are being dispatched across the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility, providing fully qualified leaders to ensure complete mission success.
Amongst the three defenders attending the course was U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Hunter Laboy, 374 SFS flight sergeant, who said he had no doubts his team could become qualified leaders for the squadron.
“I wanted to participate in the course so that I could become a FAS team leader and take care of my troops,” said Laboy, “I want to be that on-the-ground security ambassador.”
The trio spent approximately 12 hours a day dedicating themselves to lessons that ranged from gear familiarization and security tactics, to running battle drills and combatives techniques.
The participants received their mission orders and briefed their plan to 374 SFS senior leadership at the end of the third day, demonstrating their ability to accurately advise aircraft commanders on necessary force protection.
Battling exhaustion and cold temperatures, the three defenders provided around-the-clock aircraft security while reacting to a wide variety of exercise scenarios involving simulated casualties and responding to contact from simulated opposing forces.
“Our course is designed to instill the warrior mindset and enhance these members’ critical thinking skills,” said Hotchkin. “It’s great to see our Defenders coming into this course as individuals and finishing it as our squadrons’ future leaders.”
13-hours later, with the sun high overhead, the defenders successfully received their certification as FAS team leaders.
By providing the first official FAS course at Yokota, the 374 SFS continues to bolster readiness and discipline, ensuring they remain postured to respond with fully qualified personnel for any mission, anytime.
- Published
- By Senior Airman Alexzandra Gracey
- 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
