MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Throughout the month of August, various units within the 91st Security Forces Group completed combat capability assurance training at the Camp Grafton Training Center in Devils Lake, North Dakota.
This training event was held to implement CCAT strategies to ensure a force capable of tactically deterring, denying and retaining government control of assigned nuclear capable resources in the face of all threats.
“After September 12th, we will have trained over 700 cops,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Cinciripini, 91st Security Support Squadron security forces instructor.
The annual training event prepares Airmen for real life scenarios and improve combat capabilities. Airmen completed different training objectives to comply with annual home station training.
“The first day includes Humvee roll-over training, a leadership reaction course and a firearms training simulator,” Cinciripini said.
The Humvee egress assistance training, or HEAT, teaches concepts and procedures and increases survivability percentages for members involved in a roll-over accident, according to the 91st SFG operation order 16-003.
After completing the leadership reaction course to learn team-building and increase leadership skills, the Airmen completed a virtual M4 live fire proficiency through the use of the U.S. Army’s Engagement Skills Trainer 2000, which is a fire arms training simulator.
“The simulator allows us to focus on the fundamentals of firing without worrying about other factors like wind and distance,” said Senior Airman Nicholas Maxwell, 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron convoy response force member. “We are able to concentrate on breathing, trigger squeeze, sight alignment and shooting position in a more relaxed environment.”
During day two of the training event, Airmen completed a course to practice individual movement techniques and squad unit techniques by doing tactical maneuvers from one position to the next.
“This course helped us improve our distance determination between objectives,” Maxwell said.
After the convoy course, they further developed their Humvee driver skills by completing an off-road driving course and reaction drills.
“We endure different weather conditions and driving conditions here at Minot, so anytime we can take an opportunity to get Airmen some advanced driving training, we do,” Cinciripini said.
The final day of training is full distance M4 firing on a U.S. Army range. With set courses of fire, Airmen are able to utilize their weapons from 50 to 300 meters.
“The live-fire training was the best part,” Maxwell said. “At the [Combat Arms Training and Maintenance] range here we can only shoot at 25 meter targets, so being able to shoot on a full range of 300 meters was very beneficial.”