Reserve SF teams up with Army in Operation Brass Boa

by Paul Zadach
934th Airlift Wing

9/17/2014 - MINNEAPOLIS ST PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn -- The 934th Security Forces Squadron teamed up with the Army's 34th Combat Aviation Brigade Sept. 3 to hone their combat skills and practice for scenarios they might encounter in future deployments.

'Operation Brass Boa' started with security forces members flying to the Arden Hills Army Training Site in the morning aboard an Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter. The scenario required SFS members to secure a crash site of an intelligence gathering unmanned aerial vehicle in an area with possible enemy activity. The Airmen would use grid coordinates and GPS to find the crash site. They then would secure the site, destroy or recover all intelligence and return to the landing zone.

There was more training accomplished than just the exercise scenario, according to Master Sgt. Chris Blackledge, 934th Security Forces Squadron training manager. "Just like any Air Force specialty, we have a mission essential task list that we have to be proficient in," said Blackledge. "Since we were going up to the AHATS it was the perfect opportunity to train in some of our basic field tactics such as evading enemy ground fire, reconnaissance and tactical movements of our troops. With this scenario, we were able to accomplish the basics in addition to learning how to secure a crash site or some other area 'outside the wire.' That scenario is a real possibility in today's deployed environment. Normally, it would not be SFS mission to rescue a crashed crew member, but if we are the closest resource, we would absolutely be called upon to do this," Blackledge explained.

Part of the scenario also included encountering hostile fire at a village near the crash site. Here, SFS members were tested on their skills in clearing buildings and identifying hostile and friendly forces.

The planning for Brass Boa started about six months ago when Blackledge made a call to the Army National Guard unit and started to talk about the idea after getting the go ahead from 934th commanders. "One of the considerations of course was cost. We had to be able to obtain the training at no cost to the Air Force and needed air support from the Army." After several in-person meetings the Army was able to coordinate the 934th exercise with their own mission. The Army helicopter crews could accomplish their training and at the same time provide support to the Air Force. "It all worked out to everyone's benefit," said Blackledge. "It was great working with the Army and they really like working with Air Force people. When you get out on a deployment, you are out there with the other services, so it's always a plus to be able to train with them before you're in the field."

Blackledge also credited the Army with providing SFS with some unique training they would not normally receive. "The Army trained us on hot and cold helicopter loading which means we were taught how to get on and off the helicopter with the rotors turning or stationary," he said. "That's something we can enter in our training records. Our Airmen who participated in the exercise have now been trained to do this, and will be ready for it in the field. We have Airmen who have flown in Army helicopters during past deployments so we know it's a valuable skill that will be used."

Master Sgt. Scott Frazer, while participating in the exercise, talked about the expanding role of SFS while deployed. "It used to be that SFS was just responsible for securing the perimeter of the base at a deployed location," he said. "Now, that mission is expanding to include areas extending beyond the fence. With the increased threat of anti-aircraft weapons and mortars being set up close to installations our area of responsibility has increased to try to eliminate that threat."

There were some unexpected challenges thrown in to the training and the more experienced senior NCOs were not assigned as squad leaders. Instead, the future leaders, now technical sergeants, were used in all squad leader positions. Blackledge explained that several SFS senior NCOs would be retiring soon so part of this exercise was to groom these mid-level NCOs for their future leadership challenges. "We deliberately threw some incomplete information and unexpected challenges in to the scenario that required the Airmen to think and adapt on their feet," said Blackledge. Nothing in the real world goes as expected, so we built in some surprises."

"Everyone who participated in this exercise contributed to its success," said Blackledge. The planning was just a small part. If everyone doesn't take their job seriously and put their best effort into this, it doesn't work. But it did work, and it worked well because of everyone's efforts. "

"Conducting meaningful readiness training is the focus of our unit training assemblies at the 934th SFS, said Maj. Gregory R. Peterson, 934th SFS commander. "Our fulltime staff works hard to prepare training each month to maximize the completion of our METL requirements. Operation Brass Boa highlights our squadron's ability to plan, coordinate and execute complex training operations - and our Airmen eat it up."

Col. Christopher R. Simpson, Air Force Reseve Command deputy chief of Security Forces had the opportunity to view the exercise first hand. "The 934th SFS field training was exceptional," said Simpson.