Whidbey Island Sailors Train for Force Protection

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

OAK HARBOR, Wash (NNS) -- Seventeen Sailors from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island graduated from the Auxiliary Security Force (ASF) training course June 4. The Sailors will serve as force protection assets and offer support to the base's security department. The ASF Academy trains Sailors from various ratings, who would be called upon to augment the base's security department during contingencies, exercises and special events that require heightened levels of security on the base.

"This was three weeks of rigorous physical training and intensive security classroom instruction which ranges from basic curriculum, Power Point presentations, watch standing; then it goes into rifle and handgun qualifications and tactical movements," said Chief Master-at-Arms (SW) Eric Wynn, security training officer, from Reno, Nev.

During the training, Sailors learned force protection procedures, small arms, armed and unarmed self-defense, rules of engagement and crowd control.

The first week is made up of mechanical advantage control holds restraining techniques, the use of deadly force, proper use of the baton and the operation of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray.

At the end of the week, students go through a practical test where they have to use the techniques learned to subdue an opponent while suffering the effects of OC spray to become qualified to carry and use the substance.

"This was a great course, it was hard at times, especially being sprayed with the pepper (OC) spray and then having to go through the obstacle course," said Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Steven Williams of Columbia, S.C., assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129. "The instructors brought lots of knowledge to the course. They made sure that we made it through the courses, and we understood what they were teaching us."

The second week consisted of weapons training. ASF personnel are trained to know the 9mm Berretta pistol, M500 shotgun and M16 rifle.

"For me, the most fun part of the course was the active shooter drills, where we go in a building as a team and assess a situation and decide what tactics to use," said Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Wayne Groves of Marysville, Wash., assigned to VAQ 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. "Overall, this course gave me self-confidence to handle different situations."

The third week consisted of several different topics, including tactical communication, team movement and close-quarters combat.

Wynn said over the course of three weeks, the Sailors worked hard and performed every task to the best of their abilities.

"Every Sailor assigned to this course did great; they were listening, focused and motivated, which helped us do or job well," added Wynn.

Instructor, Jonathon Fuchs of Scottsdale, Ariz., a federal police instructor said he is confident that the ASF students that have just graduated will perform their duties well.

"The Sailors were outstanding. They were highly motivated. We talked about being 100 percent professional; they displayed it. They've taken everything to heart and made it serious. In the scenario trainings, a lot of times it's hard to make it real; they do, they made themselves part of the drill. They were part of the opposition force, where they would play the good and bad guys, which a lot of times are the most fun because you learn more because you get to see it from a different perspective," said Fuchs.

The focus of the ASF course is to be a force in readiness.

"Once the Sailors graduate from this course, they're capable of performing every task they were instructed with, and I feel confident in their abilities," added Fuchs. "It's an individual, personal mindset, and it's up to them to continue training, run the scenarios in their heads and be prepared if a confrontation arises and how to deal with it and implement the tools they were given."