320th STS completes DARC training

by Tech.Sgt. Kristine Dreyer
353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs

9/9/2013 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Members from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron completed Direct Action Resource Center training with a mobile training team on the Camp Hansen range Aug. 3-17.

The two-week training included M-4 and Glock-19 proficiency training on the range and also close-quarter combat where the group was divided into two teams and taught how to properly clear a building.

Typically, this would mean another trip back to the U.S. to complete the training, but due to budget constraints, the 320th STS decided to save money and bring the training to them.

"Instead of sending 15 people to the states, we paid for two instructors to come here," said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Brown, a pararescue specialist with the 320th STS. "The instructors have been great with adapting to what we had here and fulfilling all of our training needs. It's important for everyone to complete this training so we can be more proficient in shooting, moving and communicating."

Although they learned to work together in teams during the training, their ultimate goal is to be able to learn techniques that will help them adapt to any deployed environment.

According to Senior Airman Keaton Thiem, a combat controller at the 320th STS, the Airmen won't typically deploy as a team, but instead they will deploy individually and attach to other special operations teams from various branches of services, which can be somewhat of a challenge.

"Anytime we attach to a team, they have been together for a long time. We still have to be able to step in and start day one like we have been part of this team," Thiem said. "This training helps tie us all together and plays a huge role in allowing us to integrate properly."

Once the fundamentals were taught, the class ended with a two-day culminating exercise where the pararescuemen, combat controllers and a survival, evasion, resistance, escape specialist put their new skills to the test.

"The TTP (tactics, techniques and procedures) of the enemy is constantly changing," Thiem said. "These guys stay up on that. Having this training will definitely prepare us for future deployments."