Security Forces Navigate Through Rigorous Field Training Exercises

February 21, 2025 Hannah Sanchez SF Units, USAF 0
U.S. security forces Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing provide front-line support at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. The exercise required Airmen to secure open areas and protect their team while being exposed to potential threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — In the dense brush covering the Florida forest landscape, Security Forces Airmen navigate their way through challenges and obstacles, every step a testament to their readiness.



Through rigorous Field Training Exercises, or FTX, these Airmen confront realistic threats that test their endurance, hone their skills and fortify their preparation for actual combat situations.

“We put them in the middle of a field under realistic conditions, which gives them real-world applications,” said the security forces training NCOIC assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing. “It puts them in that warrior ethos mindset to keep their heads on a swivel and stay prepared for anything that could happen.”

The FTX is an essential part of the unit’s ongoing efforts to strengthen combat-ready forces. Airmen immerse themselves in realistic scenarios that build their warrior ethos and sharpen their skills for success at home and in deployed operations.

This quarter focused on land navigation, open-area crossings, key leader engagements and securing high-value targets.

One participant described the exercises as physically and mentally demanding, requiring participants to understand each team member’s role, apply rules of engagement and make quick decisions under pressure.

“Staying on the same page is crucial,” said the FTX participant. “We have to keep the squad together and ensure everyone knows what’s happening.”

The training NCOIC said the curriculum is constantly refined based on after-action reports, lessons learned from past events and real-world incidents.

“We adjust based on what’s happening in modern-day operations to keep our Airmen as prepared as possible,” the NCOIC said.

The consistent training leads to better performance and more comprehensive skill development than occasional exercises, the NCOIC added.

“This training reinforced my confidence, especially since I’ll be deploying in the near future,” said the FTX participant. “When I get downrange, if I’m called upon to do anything, I have complete confidence in myself that I can get the job done.”

These ongoing exercises play a vital role in Hurlburt Field’s commitment to mission readiness, strengthening the 1st SOW’s ability to deter adversaries.

“I’ve seen vast improvement in both the younger Airmen and even some of the noncommissioned officers and senior NCOs,” said the training NCOIC.

  • Published 
  • By Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado
  • 1st Special Operations Wing
U.S. security forces Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing assume defensive positions during a field training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. The exercise included tactical scenarios where Airmen work together to cover open areas and protect their team while securing a high-value target. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)
U.S. security forces Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing look for their points during land navigation training during a field training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. The quarterly exercise tested Airmen’s ability to stay alert and work together in high-pressure environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)
U.S. security forces Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing receive the signal to don protective masks before crossing an open area during an exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. Protective masks safeguard Airmen against airborne particles and other hazards they may encounter in both training and real-world operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)
U.S. security forces Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing scan their surroundings as they cross an open area during a field training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. The exercise, which emphasized threat awareness while maneuvering through exposed terrain, prepares Airmen to secure high-value targets in complex environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)
U.S. security forces Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing don protective masks to enter an urban training area during a field training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. The exercise reinforced mission readiness and showcased the unit’s ability to respond effectively to high-risk environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)
A U.S. security forces Airman assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing relays messages to another squad during a field training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. The exercise emphasized communication, coordination and quick decision-making in austere environments while securing high-value targets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)
A U.S. security forces Airman assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing acts as an opposing force during a field training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. The scenario simulated securing a high-value target, while opposing forces challenged security forces' tactical skills and decision-making under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)
U.S. security forces Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing use smoke grenades for cover during a field training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. The Airmen advanced through open areas in a simulated village, testing their ability to navigate and clear buildings while securing a high-value target in an austere environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)
U.S. security forces Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing carry teammates with simulated injuries at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. The Airmen are exiting a training area after successfully securing a high-value target, emphasizing teamwork and readiness in dynamic, high-pressure scenarios to prepare for real-world operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)
U.S. security forces Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing are briefed on land navigation and high-value target objectives during a field training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 7, 2025. Quarterly training sharpens Airmen’s combat readiness through realistic scenarios that build teamwork, adaptability and leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)