CRC prepares new defenders for Osan's mission

by Senior Airman David Owsianka
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/26/2014 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- As their boots hit the ground, Airmen newly assigned to the 51st Security Forces Squadron begin their initial training.

The combat readiness course is a five-day ground and combat course covering land navigation, combatives, non-lethal fighting and different tactics to prepare the Airmen for the mission at Osan.

Staff Sgt. Malcom Stephen, 51st SFS training instructor, said the course is important for all defenders.

"It's a good refresher course for Airmen who have been in and may not have used the specific training from this course for several years," Stephen said. "It is also great for Airmen who just completed technical school because they don't receive all of this training there. It's essential that everybody is on the same page when they get out on flight so they can successfully accomplish the mission."

The first day of the course is classroom-oriented, where Airmen learn about tactical communication, land navigation and surveillance, target acquisition and night operation.

"We have the ruck march on the second day in case we go to some type of contingency here so they will know how it feels if they have to march out to their post," Stephen said.

Airmen also learn how to conduct dead body searches, receive training on the ability to survive and operate, and perform mounted and dismounted firing.

The CRC covers active shooter training on the third day. The day starts in the classroom, and then moves to an active shooter walk-through before the scenarios begin at the Osan Middle School.

"Having people running out screaming gets your adrenaline going and makes you think on your feet," said Airman 1st Class Nicholas Diamond, 51st SFS member. "The scenarios made it more realistic on how to react with constant stress, and it allow us to be able to react better to real world scenarios."

On the fourth day, defenders are taught how to use the Armament Systems and Procedures baton and combatives.

"We have a 24-hour field training exercise on the final day combining everything the Airmen have learned in the first four days of the course," Stephen said.

The course helps participants become prepared for real world scenarios.

"It has provided me with the necessary tools and tactics such as speed and tactical reloading and combatives to be able to successfully complete my job," Diamond said.

Seeing how much Airmen improve from the beginning to the end of the CRC gives instructors a sense of pride.

"It is a very rewarding job to provide training to Airmen," Stephen said. "It's great to see the information and experiences I pass on to another Airman instantly take effect."