Team Minot cops train for success

Published March 10, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Artemy Shpakovsky
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The old base exchange is undergoing an extensive remodeling and design project as the building is made into a joint security forces training complex for the 5th Security Forces Squadron, 91st Security Forces Group and the 219th Security Forces Squadron of the 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard.

"Minot is now united under the ranks of Air Force Global Strike Command," said Master Sgt. Kenneth Joy, 5th SFS noncommissioned officer-in-charge of training. "It is one team, one fight for both the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing."

The building was transferred to the security forces squadron in September 2009. While the remodeling is still in progress, training in the building began instantaneously.

"We began instructions right away," Sergeant Joy said. "Both the 5th SFS and the 91st SFG trained there even before transition to the AFGSC."

According to Tech. Sgt. Bradley Tarbox, 5th SFS unit trainer and augmentee monitor, before Minot's security forces were given this building, they often had to train in inclement weather. Once complete, the building will offer a distinct advantage by allowing them to practice multiple security scenarios indoors, away from the sometimes brutal North Dakota weather.

"In the 12 years I've been stationed here, Minot security forces never had a permanent training building like this one," said Sergeant Tarbox.

The project includes two shooting houses with movable walls designed to simulate rooms and entrances to different facilities on base.

"The movable walls will serve a purpose of great importance to training simulations," said Sergeant Joy. "They allow us to have multiple scenarios we can play with. One person would have to go through this training for roughly two years before they encounter a scenario they already went through."

Sergeant Tarbox said the walls are not the only advantage of the shooting houses. The perimeters of the shooting houses will be under full surveillance by an infrared camera system. When the training session is over, trainees will be provided with instantaneous feedback. They will be able to see what they have done right and what they have done wrong.

"This is a unique opportunity for security force units on base, "said Sergeant Joy. "Both wings will be able to work together conducting the same exercises in this facility. They will know how to work as one prior to any incident."

Sergeant Joy also added they are working on getting the local police department to train with them in the facility as well.

"We will do all we can to get this facility up and running: we even started to put up the shooting houses using the self help program, since we do not have time to waste," Sergeant Joy said. "We intend this facility to be one of the best in the Air Force. The only problem remaining is funding."

Now, when one walks around the once-loud halls of the old BX, they will find it different from how it once looked. There is no food court, no games and music rarely fills these halls. But it has gained something better by becoming a proud training home for Airmen from three different wings. It now gives off a feeling of honor expressed by those who train there to make the mission successful and to keep the nation safe.